Male mice are fiercely protective about their territories. The method by which the male rodents become aware of a rival trying to sneak into their territory is rather unique. Particular odor emanating from their rival rodent’s urine warns them whether the sneaking male is a danger or not - that is whether the male mouse is castrated or potent.
For long scientists were aware that something in the urine of these highly territorial rodents triggered aggressiveness. Scientists from Scripps Research Institute in California have finally been able to detect at least two chemicals that mice excrete in their urine that can be easily picked up by the nerves in the nose of their rival males.
The study published in nature found that castrated mice do not excrete these proteins or the aggression pheromone and so did not trigger aggressive behavior from other males.
The next time if you suddenly happen to find two rodents fighting with each other, then be sure that one of them is not following healthy toilet habits.
Image: Stanford edu
Source: BBC
