Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel
Mouse attacks snake to free friend
Image: Hangzhou Zoo
Snake's dinner comes back to bite it

A mouse that tried to save his friend from being eaten by a snake has been freed by zookeepers.

Both mice were being fed to the poisonous snake at China's Hangzhou Zoo. However, the little hero wasn't willing to go without a fight.

According to zoo keepers, mice usually attempt to hide in the enclosure before becoming dinner. The mouse's bravery was therefore very out of character.

"I have never seen anything like that before," said zookeeper Wen Shao, who was responsible for feeding the snake. "Usually the mice keep as far away from the snake as possible but this one caused a lot of damage."

Mr Shao added that the mouse had been given its freedom after the attack, but it was too late for his friend.

Furthermore, the snake is now having to recover from the ordeal.

"We always give the snakes live food… but the mouse attacked the snake when it saw it trying to eat the other mouse," Mr Shao explained.

"It didn't do the snake any good either. It was expensive and the mouse did a lot of damage biting it on the head."

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.