Cannibal ‘Werewolf’ Mouse of the Southwest

The most malicious of mice in the world lives in the Southwest United States and Northern Mexico.

Cannibalistic. Venom proof. Howls at the Moon before it kills.

I present to you the Southern grasshopper mouse (Onychomys torridus).

According to Megan Shersby at LiveScience.com, this species of mouse is an "extremely aggressive predator."

Partial to the Southwestern states of Arizona, New Mexico, and the Chihuahua desert of Texas and Northern Mexico, the Southern grasshopper mouse will hunt, stalk, and follow any prey it's size or smaller before delivering a fatal bite to the head.

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Weirdly, one of its favorite meals is the Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus), a venomous predator on its own, lethal enough to kill humans.

It's confidence against such a foe is probably due to it's inherited resistance to scorpion venom. Essentially it can shut down the chemical pathways used by the venom, and then numb any potential pain.

If that wasn't badass enough, the Southern grasshopper mouse is known to stand on its hind legs and howl at the moon like a freaking werewolf, most often before it kills!

Scientists believe this is to help the mouse mark it's territory.

It's basically telling everyone around it to stay away or they get the fangs of death.

In fact they are so solitary and territorial that these mice often can't live together.

If there is a shortage of food they will likely eat each other, each one of their friends and family, like tiny little Jeffery Dahmers.

I have a feeling this is the species of mouse that Jerry was from Tom and Jerry.

Tell me what you think at nico@klaq.com