Submitted by: ronking(2,471) Log in to become a member of ronking's Fan Club!
London’s Daily Mail, recently ran a story about a cat that regularly (2 or 3 times a week) boards a bus at the same stop, rides it to the next stop, where there happens to be a fish and chip shop, and gets off.
"I don't know why he would catch the bus," the driver told a reporter, "but he seems to like it." The cat’s been nicknamed, Macavity after a cat in T.S Elliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. Elliot’s Macavity was a mastermind criminal, responsible for a multitude of crimes, but too clever to leave any evidence of his guilt.
Where’s the Beef?
I’ve been wondering about cat intelligence for some time, especially since reading, Why Cats Paint, which I was disappointed to discover was a spoof. I’ve been watching my 2 cats respond to one of those laser pointers that have become popular cat toys. From the beginning they seemed more interested in what was in my hand and how I was making the little red spot, then they were in chasing it. And once they figured out there was no "there" there, it didn’t interest them in the least to chase a light around. In other words, the toy was a total flop.
Smarter than Dogs
Cats are smart. In the animal kingdom, only monkeys and chimps surpass their IQ. They learn by observation, imitation, and trial and error. They adapt to changing circumstances and have been shown to exhibit greater problem solving abilities than dogs. Cats also have a memory that can be up to 200 times more retentive than dogs. For example, cats have been shown to remember people they met years before, and tests conducted by the Department of Animal Behavior at the American Museum of Natural History indicate that short term cat recall can last up to 16 hours, far exceeding the 5 minutes attributed to dogs.
But Are They Trainable?
Actually, cats are trainable. It’s just that they’re indifferent. They refuse to perform for a pat on the head. They learn tricks only if they find them entertaining or valuable, and only when they want to. As any cat owner knows, cats are not renowned for their obedience. In fact, they have a reputation for being defiant. When there's something in it for them, however, they learn things quickly. Dogs are trainable because they are pack animals, born to follow leaders; cats, on the other hand, take care of themselves. Cats Learn by Association Outdoor cats often learn to check for traffic before crossing the street. Cats learn routines and may even issue gentle reminders about the parts that include them. They certainly issue reminders about mealtime, but since many cats sleep with their humans, they may issue reminders about bedtime too. Many cats talk, meowing in response to their human’s comments.
Purring
Cats are the only animals that purr. Purring isn't speaking, but it is communication. It comes from two membrane folds in the larynx behind the vocal cords. Cats purr 26 cycles per second, the same as an idling diesel engine. They purr both when inhaling and exhaling.
Kittens are born blind and deaf, but can feel and follow the vibrations of their mother's purring. It’s a homing device, signaling them to nurse. Kittens begin purring at about one week, signaling to their mothers that they're content. But, contrary to popular belief, cats don't purr purely for pleasure. Purring can also indicate pain, distress, fear or anxiety. Female cats purr when in labor, and cats never purr when they’re alone.
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