Grasshopper Mouse: Evolution of a Carnivorous Life Style

Grasshopper mice exhibit a carnivorous life-style. Comparison of attack behaviors among grasshopper mice, its relatives and other small predatory mammals indicate which features evolved from modifications of the basic rodent design and which evolved as new features for a carnivorous life-style. Grasshopper mice compete with other rodents for insect prey by vigorously attacking them and by advertising their presence through signalling behavior.