Can a mouse eat through glass 2024?

As a subject matter expert in the field of animal behavior and material science, I'd like to address the question of whether a mouse can eat through glass. The answer to this question is quite straightforward: no, mice cannot eat through glass. Let's delve into the reasons behind this.

Firstly, the physical properties of glass are a major factor. Glass is an amorphous solid, which is essentially a supercooled liquid that has transitioned into a rigid state without crystallizing. It is hard, brittle, and has a high resistance to wear and tear. The hardness of glass is much greater than that of a mouse's teeth, which are made of enamel, dentin, and cementum. Mice, like all rodents, have continuously growing incisors that they use to gnaw on various materials to keep them from overgrowing. However, these teeth are not capable of breaking down glass.

Secondly, the diet of mice does not require them to consume glass. Mice are omnivores and typically consume a diet that includes grains, seeds, fruits, and occasionally insects or small animals. The nutritional content of glass is zero; it does not provide any sustenance that a mouse would need.

Moreover, the behavior of mice does not align with the idea of consuming glass. While it is true that rats and mice have strong jaws and incisors that allow them to chew through a variety of materials, including lead, cinderblock, brick, mortar, aluminum, wood, and vinyl, as well as improperly cured concrete, this ability is primarily used for exploration, burrowing, and accessing food sources. Glass is not a typical part of a mouse's environment, and there is no evolutionary advantage for mice to develop the ability to chew through it.

It is also worth noting that the claim that rats can chew through glass is a myth. While rats are known for their ability to gnaw on hard materials, glass is not one of them. The ability to chew through such a variety of materials is due to the rodents' strong jaw muscles and the structure of their teeth, which are designed for gnawing and not for breaking down materials as hard as glass.

In conclusion, the idea that mice can eat through glass is not supported by the physical properties of glass, the dietary needs of mice, their behavior, or the actual capabilities of their teeth. Mice, like all animals, have evolved to interact with their environment in specific ways, and the consumption of glass is not one of them.

Rats can chew through lead, cinderblock, brick, mortar, aluminum, wood, glass, vinyl and improperly cured concrete. Rats and mice can't see beyond 3 or 4 feet but they have keen senses of smell, touch and hearing. This is why they are more active in the dark.