SoylentNews

Mice Have Followed Humans Around for 15,000 Years

posted by on Thursday March 30 2017, @08:56AM   
from the vermin-like-us dept.

takyon writes:

Scientists say that mice adapted to live alongside humans around 15,000 years ago, based on fossil evidence gathered in the Levant:

New fossil evidence discovered by an international team of researchers shows that mice have been living alongside humans for the past 15,000 years, a new study [DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1619137114] [DX]in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports.

Scientists believe mice first moved into human settlements in the Eastern Mediterranean region to steal wild grains and seeds that were stored by the ancient peoples that lived there. Though this began as simple scavenging, the rodents eventually took up residence in the grain stores and became house mice.

"Nowadays, thanks to this relationship, house mice have colonized almost every corner of the globe to become almost as ubiquitous as humans and also one of the most invasive mammalian species," said study co-author Dr. Thomas Cucchi of Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, according to BBC News.

Also at Washington University in St. Louis.

---

Original Submission

• Sure mice is patient Sure mice is patient (Score: 2) by Bot on Thursday March 30 2017, @01:36PM (4 children)

  by Bot (3902) on Thursday March 30 2017, @01:36PM (#486453) Journal

  Meatbags, they followed you for 15000 years. Can you please turn around and ask "WELL WTF DO YOU WANT, MOUSE?"

  --
  Account abandoned.

  Starting Score:	1		point
  Karma-Bonus Modifier		+1
  Total Score:		2

• Re:Sure mice is patient (Score: 1) by dwilson on Thursday March 30 2017, @02:26PM

  by dwilson (2599) on Thursday March 30 2017, @02:26PM (#486467) Journal

  Tried that several times, but all I ever get in reply is a glassy-eyed stare.

  Turns out that when the only way they hold still for a question is when the trap breaks their neck, the conversation is something of a non-starter.

  --
  - D

  Parent

• Re:Sure mice is patient (Score: 2) by KiloByte on Thursday March 30 2017, @02:57PM

  by KiloByte (375) on Thursday March 30 2017, @02:57PM (#486486)

  And the only reason for mice to live has grown too fat and lazy to even bother. He's occupying my bed, too.

  --
  Ceterum censeo systemd esse delendam.

  Parent

• Re:Sure mice is patient (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday March 30 2017, @03:54PM

  by Anonymous Coward on Thursday March 30 2017, @03:54PM (#486540)

  Rodent liek pizza [youtube.com]! :)

  Parent

• Re:Sure mice is patient (Score: 2) by bob_super on Thursday March 30 2017, @05:54PM

  by bob_super (1357) on Thursday March 30 2017, @05:54PM (#486644)

  > "WELL WTF DO YOU WANT, MOUSE?"

  The Ultimate Question to Life, the Universe, and Everything, obviously.
  Didn't you read your classics?

  Parent