2006-10-30 15:12:31 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
This is just a myth.
Actually, elephants are one of the more fearless animals in the world, even though they share habitats with lions, rhinos, and tigers. (Unfortunately, that same fearlessness can also make them easy prey for poachers.) Elephants are also more likely to encounter mice in zoos and circuses (where the abundance of grain and hay tend to attract the little critters) than in the wild, but either way there's nothing about rodents they find particularly frightening. In fact, given the large size and relatively poor eyesight of elephants, they don't necessarily notice the occasional mouse scurrying around them all that often.
If there's any truth to this legend at all, it likely comes from elephants' being anxious about nearby sounds or movement they can't identify, such as that caused by mice darting around underfoot. Elephants may be afraid of very little, but unlocatable sounds and small, fast objects that are difficult to follow can add up to something unidentifiable, one of the few things that signal "danger" to them. However, such a reaction could just as easily be triggered by something other than mice, such as small dogs.
2006-10-30 15:14:13 · answer #1 · answered by Mary K 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
No it is not true they even busted that myth on mythbusters they had a mouse crawl all over an elephant and the elephant did not even blink.
A mouse pose no threat to an elephant and the elephant have bird land on them and eat tics and other skin parasites on them and they could care less.
2006-10-30 15:14:50 · answer #2 · answered by meanblacktiger 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
they are no longer! it incredibly is in basic terms an city legend. they could be alittle startled to be sure them (while they actually do see them) in basic terms as any persons might. in actuality, given the massive length and comparatively undesirable eyesight of elephants, they do no longer unavoidably word the occasional mouse scurrying around all of them that oftentimes. they are no longer petrified of people, lions, or tigers, so why might they be petrified of a mouse? lol and your genuine, the rumor in all probability started from the thought mice can run up an elephants trunk, yet any zookeeper or zoologist will you permit you know that it is all in basic terms rubbish
2016-10-21 00:52:50 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not if they step on them first.
I can see why elephants would be scared of mice. Sort of like having a bug crawl up your leg.
2006-10-30 15:14:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm not 100% certain, but i heard that, that was just a myth and is not true at all!! However, i have seen a 350lbs man jump on a chair from fright of a mouse LOL It's quite a site, Let me tell you that much LOL!!
~CHEERS!!~
2006-10-30 15:18:31 · answer #5 · answered by Romy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I once saw in TV how elephants runed away from little squirell, they were in panic.It is said that they are afraid from small animals because they can stuck in their nose, I don't know if that is true but it is fact that elephant are afraid from mice and other small animals.
2006-10-30 23:21:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Not really, but they have bad peripheral vision and are easily startled by something sneaking up beside them. Hypothetically, a mouse could do this. The elly-funs aren't inherently scared of small rodents, however.
2006-10-30 16:43:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
its only in cartoons. It's just ironic humor. An elephant is actually a very vicious animal. They're only harmless at the zoos and circuses.
2006-10-30 15:21:20 · answer #8 · answered by アルバート みつるぎ- Albert Mitsurugi 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
yes because they can crawl up their trunks and they can suffocate the elephant.
2006-10-30 15:17:00 · answer #9 · answered by bonnie j 3 · 2⤊ 4⤋
No, it's just a cartoon.
2006-10-30 15:13:59 · answer #10 · answered by crystal89431 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋