Can mice be cannibalistic?

'Got your attention, didn't I?

I don't really have a mouse problem in the garage, but every so often in the winter I'll set a trap to keep the little guys from thinking they have found a suitable shelter from the cold outside.

Yesterday morning, on my way to work, I noticed a dead mouse in the trap. Yesterday evening, while going to empty the trap, I saw that something had torn the back 2/3 of the body off. Gone. With blood stains on the trap.

I've never seen any other "predator" in the garage. It's closed all day. 'Too cold for snakes. Do you suppose another mouse ate it?

 

Few years ago my brother was out in his garage, big door open. A mouse goes running across the floor when a chipmunk comes running in, bit the head off. Chewed it up like caviar and left with a smile on his face.

This summer I found two mice outside my garage with both their heads missing. I have chipmunks that run along the cemetery fence, I think one of them did it.

Odd but true.

 

I’m not aware that mice are cannibalistic but rats are. If you had a rat issue I think you would know it as they leave evidence and make noise, disruption, etc but maybe you should pay a little more attention just in case. Take a good light and thoroughly inspect garage by looking in the corners, behind things, etc for large droppings, clawing/chewing on insulation, cardboard, etc.

I don’t doubt that chipmunks, squirrels might do it too, especially if a little hungry being winter and such. Good story Baldwin!

 

We're in the 'burbs. Big lawns. No real hiding places for rats. I've lived here 17 years - never saw a rat, or any evidence of rats being around.

And I haven't seen a chipmunk in ages. 'though I'm still not ruling either of them out.

 

Mice are omnivores, meaning they eat all kinds of stuff. They don't usually eat other mice but will do so when necessary.

 

Right now chipmunks are hibernating so doubt it was them.

 

I Googled "Do mice eat mice?" and the answer is "Heck, yes!".

I guess there was even a somewhat related experiment on Mythbusters that ended up proving it. (But the episode never aired because of the shock factor.)

Thanks for your input.