It's a stereotype that's been engrained in our psyches forever: Cats and mice at odds with each other. Tom and Jerry, Itchy and Scratchy…the list of famous cats and mice battling it out goes on and on.
There is good, scientific evidence for this. Cats are born with a predatory instinct to hunt and chase (even occasionally playing fetch). Even when they have no need to kill their prey for food (like most domestic cats), their desire to chase and capture is strong.
Similarly, mice have an innate fear of cats, which is triggered when they capture the scent of this would-be predator. Interestingly, back in 2007, Japanese scientists created a strain of mice that had no fear of cats by genetically altering their DNA to eliminate specific olfactory receptors. Although this particular mouse does not belong to this special, scientifically-altered subset of mice, he too has no obvious fear of his kitty companion and potential predator.
As it turns out, cats that have been socialized from a very early age to interact with animals that are their natural prey are often able to form friendships. Clearly, it looks like this has happened with these two, although according to behavior experts, this type of friendship is best enjoyed under supervision — instinct can often take over in times of overstimulation. But it doesn't make it any less cute.
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