Can A Mouse Die From Falling?

Mouse can climb anywhere, and they do it very often. So falling from a certain altitude is quite likely. A mouse is a small creature which means they have low body mass, and the mass plays a vital role while falling. Low body mass is essential for surviving a fall but will that be enough?

So can a mouse die from falling? It depends upon the altitude. A mouse won’t die if it falls from the 1st floor or a tree, but if it falls from an extreme height, then the mouse will die. Their soft body and low mass play a vital role in surviving a fall, but there is a limit. More altitude means more risks.

The Reason Behind Their Survival

A mouse is a lightweight creature, and they have a soft body. Both of these factors play a vital role in surviving a fall. That said there is, a limit. A mouse may be light, but they are still heavier than ants, or other insects. More mass means more velocity and more force. So if a mouse is thrown from 100th and it hits it’s head on concrete, then the mouse will die.

The head impact will immediately create a concussion, and the mouse will die shortly. However, if a soft material is placed just below the place where the mouse will land then the chances of survival increases dramatically. Their soft body will play a vital role in keeping them alive even if the mouse is dropped from an extreme altitude.

Size And Weight Matters

A mouse is a small and light creature, so the force of gravity is much less when compared to big animals. Because of their weight, when a mouse is thrown from a certain altitude, it won’t generate enough kinetic energy to break its bones. It’s directly proportionate to the weight and size of the animal.

On the other hand, if an elephant is thrown from a high altitude, it will die instantly. If an elephant falls from a 1st floor, it will fracture it’s bone because it has heavy bones and an elephant weight in tonnes.

Whereas if a mouse in thrown from the first floor of the building it may not sustain any injuries as the kinetic energy will not be enough to kill them. This is the biggest reason why a mouse will not easily die from falling. That said there is still a limitation.

Can A Mouse Survive A Fall From The Empire State Building?

No, the mouse won’t survive falling from the empire state building because the altitude is too much. If the mouse hits the ground, then the mouse will die, but if the mouse can find something to hold before hitting the surface, then the mouse can survive.

Empire state building has a height of 381 meters. When a mouse is thrown from empire state building the mouse will not fall straight, the wind will carry it far away from the landing spot.

So if that mouse gets a soft place to land, then it can survive, but the chances of finding that are almost zero. The soft spot can be a bunch of leaves, but that is not likely to happen. If the mouse falls on the water, it will die. From that altitude, hitting water is equivalent to hitting the concrete.

Why Won’t Mouse Die If They Fall From Lower Altitude?

Apart from their weight and size, there is another significant factor that protects them from injury when they fall from low altitude. The secret lies in their bone structure. The mouse has soft and agile bones. These bones absorb the impact and stop them from getting injured. If these bones were hard, then there were chances that it could have broken, but since they are soft, they don’t break.

Secondly, their tail is very beneficial; they can control their body while falling because of the tail. They use their tail to balance their body, allowing them to fall on their legs rather than on their head. But if they fall from a much higher altitude, none of these factors will be helpful, and the mouse will die.

Why A Mouse Doesn’t Fall Easily

Mouse are excellent climbers, and they can climb almost anywhere. This is one of the reasons why a mouse won’t fall easily. Mouse have light bodies which allow them to climb anywhere. Since they are so light, most objects can tolerate their weight.

The weight of the mouse is a big factor while climbing. If they become too heavy, then it can become quite difficult for them to climb. A mouse cannot climb perpendicular walls like a lizard.

They don’t have suction in their legs that can grip the surface of the walls. They have paws that help them to grip the surface, allowing them to climb. This is the reason why a mouse can climb trees. You probably have seen a mouse at the top of ceiling how do you think they reach there? A mouse cannot climb straight walls like a lizard then how can they do it?

The reason is that there is something that connects that portion of the ceiling to something from where the mouse can enter. It can be a wire, or it can be anything. They can grip the wire and can climb straight. Mouse are very intelligent creatures, and they can find their way to their destination.

That’s why even if you trap a mouse in a maze, a mouse may be able to find it’s way out. This is the reason why it’s so challenging to stop the mouse from infesting.

Mouse Brain

Scientists have conducted much research regarding this. A mouse is intelligent, and they find their way out of complex structures. They can formulate a strategy to reach their destination.

They know when a predator is sleeping when we humans are not looking, and they know the hiding spots better than us. If you try to chase a mouse, you’ll know how difficult it is to catch them.

They run fast, and they know the dark corners in your house, and it can be hugely challenging to catch them even though it is your house. Their intelligence has significant benefits. They can get food, and they know how to divert predators. For example, if there is a cat and a mouse cannot eat their food, then the mouse will create a plan to divert the cat.

So, there will be two mice, and the cat will run after one of the mice, and the other mouse will get the food, and once they get the food, then the other mouse who is keeping the cat busy will try it’s best to return to its safe spot. Although they may not be successful all the time, they can come up with this kind of strategies if they need it. 

Mouse Vs Other Animals

This is a comparison of a mouse with other animals when they are thrown from a certain altitude. 

When Thrown From the First Floor

Mouse

A mouse can be stunned, but it won’t sustain injuries even if it falls on the concrete because of their lightweight and soft bones.

Lion

Lion bones are flexible, and they will not die when they fall from the first floor if they land on their feet. If they fall on their body, then the lion can sustain some damage.

Elephant

An elephant will die if it falls from the first floor. If the elephant falls on its head, then the elephant will die if the elephant falls on its belly, then also the elephant will die. If they land on their legs, then they can break their legs and then die.

When Thrown From 3rd floor

Mouse

A mouse will not die if they fall from the 3rd floor. It can be shocked and will stop moving for a while, but the mouse will not die. 

Lion

A lion can sustain some damage if they fall on their body instead of their legs. 3rd floor can cause injuries if the landing is not perfect, and if the lion falls on its head, then it can die. The body of the lion is heavy, but their body is designed in a particular way that prevents them from injuries; however, there is a limit.

Elephant

An elephant will die if it falls from the 3rd floor. No matter how it lands if it falls from the third floor, it will have broken bones and destroyed organs. An elephant weighs over tonnes and falling from the third floor will be fatal.

When Thrown From 100th floor

This is the maximum limit that we are going because apparently going any further will be meaningless.

Mouse

A mouse, if it falls directly over concrete, will die. However, if it gets a soft surface to land, then the mouse can have some chances of survival. Although the mouse will be stunned and may not be able to move, there are still some chances of survival.

Lion

If a lion falls from the 100th floor, it will die, and there is no way around. The lion weight over 92 kg and that is a significant weight to kill the lion. Their bodies are designed to absorb impact from falling, but this attitude is too much.

Elephant

An elephant will just explode if it falls from the 100th floor. They weight over tonnes and their body are not designed to absorb shock from falling, which means an impact into the concrete will kill them instantly, and there will be a massive sound. 

Conclusion

The mouse doesn’t die because they are lightweight, and they have softy’s bones. The weight plays a very vital factor for surviving a fall. The mouse has that advantage. But if a mouse falls from extremely high altitude into concrete or other hard substance, then the mouse will die.