“Beasts of science” is like a collection of stories. Beautiful stories that tell the living in all its freshness. But also in all its complexity. A parenthesis to marvel at the treasures of the world. For this new episode, let’s return to a very familiar environment to learn more about an animal that continues to intrigue us: the cat.
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[EN VIDÉO] Do you know these facts about cats? The Cat has been following the Man for a long time now… But do you really think you know his abilities? Some are unusual, while others give it an extraordinary side!
After the fish, the cat would be thepet the most present in French homes. More than 14 million in 2018! However, I must admit that, for me who am “more of a dog”, cats remain mysterious animals. Difficult to pin down. With whom, even, I generally admit having trouble getting in touch. But I’m also always up for getting out of my comfort zone, so…
Dogs are smarter than cats. This is what advanced, in 2017, American researchers. They based this on a count of the number of neurons contained in the cortex brain of our four-legged friends. More than 500 million for the dog and only 250 million for the cat. For comparison, there are some 16 billion in a human cortex. According to these researchers, the number of neurons reflects the richness of an individual’s mental state, his ability to predict what will happen in his environment.
But then, what about this new study which shows that domestic cats exhibit volumes skulls smaller than those of their wild cousins? The researchers suggest that the brain size cats has declined considerably since their domestication began around 10,000 years ago. At least 25%. It’s not nothing ! But to really confirm it, we would have to be able to have access to the ancient population that gave birth to domestic cats.
Before going any further, note that comparable scientific work has already been carried out on other domestic animals. And the conclusion is the same: the brains of sheep, dogs and rabbits have lost volume on contact with humans. Does this mean that we make our animals stupid? Certainly not.
The cat, intelligent or not?
But then what? The question remains. Some argue that the selection made during the domestication of the cat caused the disappearance, in cats — and others — of cells from the neural crest, a region of the brain related to excitability and fear. A little normal in animals much less exposed to danger than their wild cousins. And among which humans have always favored the softest.
However, other studies show that cats have, in parallel, been able to develop a intelligence especially in matter observation, reasoning and memorization. And this, regardless of race.
Did you know, for example, that the way your cat asks you to go out by standing in front of the gate that leads to the garden is nothing natural? It is a behavior that he experimented then memorized and that he reproduces if necessary. Or as desired. Because everyone knows it, your cat’s primary objective is to lead you by the wand…
Thus, the fact that your cat comes to push your hand even though you are peacefully installed on your sofa to mean “Open the kitchen door for me” shows that he has understood that as long as said door remains closed, he will not be able to access his bowl. And that he needs your help to solve this problem that comes his way. Unless he’s one of those cats… who knows how to open doors.
But what is finally really interesting, with the chat, is that it is possible to work at develop one’s intelligence. Through social interactions or stimulation, especially. Offer him a cat tree, mazes, feathers, balls, fake mice. A variety of games to discover alone or in your company. So that your cat is definitely… not so stupid!
Very cute kitten Kittens are born deaf, and it is only after several weeks that their hearing reaches its full potential. The eyes only open in the second week of life. They are blue at first and take on their final color after about two months. © Aka, Wikimedia Commons, cc by sa 2.5
The folded ears of the scottish fold Originally from Scotland, the Scottish Fold is easily recognized by its ears folded forward. Unlike the Highland Fold, its cousin, it has very short-haired fur. Origin: Scotland © Psihopat, Wikimedia Commons, cc by sa 3.0
The great flexibility of the cat Like other felines, cats have a special skeleton that gives them great flexibility. Their neck vertebrae are short and their small collarbone is connected to the sternum by a single ligament. They can thus move their shoulders independently of each other. © OlsenWeb, Flickr, by nc nd 2.0
The sight of the cat and its piercing gaze Sight is the primary sense of cats. Their field of vision is 287°, against only 180° for humans. In low light, cats see six to eight times better than humans. However, their day vision is not very efficient, these felines poorly perceiving colors and details. © Mike Grimes, cc by nc 2.0
The cat’s whiskers The sense of touch is also well developed in cats. They have long hairs, called vibrissae, on the whiskers, legs, chin and eyebrows. These allow him to estimate the distance to an obstacle, even in total darkness. © Ruth, Flickr, by nc nd 2.0
The long hair of the Persian cat Originally from Iran, the Persian cat is very easily recognizable by its long silky hair. It has a round silhouette and a face with a very short muzzle. Origin: Iran © Chosovi, Wikimedia Commons, cc by 3.0
The bunny cat The Abyssinian, also called bunny cat, is said to be one of the oldest cat breeds. Many believe that it originated in Egypt, although there is no formal proof of this. Origin: Asia © Maliangkay, Wikimedia Commons, DP
The wild cat In some regions, a wild cat designates a non-domestic animal close to the cat, but which does not necessarily belong to the species Felis silvestris. In Canada, the bobcat is thus considered a wild cat. © Alvesgaspar, Wikimedia Commons, cc by sa 3.0
The Thai cat, a cousin of the Siamese As its name suggests, the Thai cat originated in Thailand. It resembles the Siamese, but is more massive and rounder than the latter. Origin: Thailand © Kamée, Wikimedia Commons, GNU 1.2
The savannah, half cat half serval Resulting from the cross between an African feline, the serval, and a domestic cat, the savannah is a new breed of large cats. The first savannah was bred in the United States in April 1986. A female savannah measuring 43 cm at the withers holds the record for the largest domestic cat in the world. This breed shares many similarities with the serval, including size, color, and shape of the ears. Origin: United States © shayhaas, Flickr, cc by nc sa 2.0
The selkirk rex, a ball of curly hair With its curly coat, the selkirk rex is easily recognizable. The first selkirk rex was discovered in 1987 by an American Persian cat breeder. The latter was immediately seduced by this unique breed. Origin: United States © Exition, Flickr, cc by nc sa 2.0
The Mekong bobtail The Mekong bobtail is easily recognized by its tiny tail, which is sometimes completely absent. This particular physical characteristic is due to a genetic mutation. Origin: Russia © Alex Opryatin, Wikimedia Commons, cc by sa 3.0
Kittens’ nap When they are born, the kittens present phantom stripes which gradually disappear with the growth of the hair. © Macphreak, Wikimedia Commons, cc by sa 3.0
The Chartreux, one of the oldest cats in the world One of the oldest natural breeds of cats, the Carthusian, owes its name to the Carthusian monks in whose homes it pursued rats carrying the plague. Originally from Turkey and Iran, he would have been brought back to France at the time of the Crusades. Origin: Turkey, Iran © Abujoy, Wikimedia Commons, cc by sa 3.0
The Maine coon, raccoon genes? The Maine Coon is America’s oldest natural breed of cat. It is also, after the savannah, one of the largest breeds of domestic cats. Several legends revolve around its origins. The most common says that the Maine coon comes from a cross between a cat and a raccoon, from which it would have borrowed its color and its very bushy tail. Of course, this is genetically impossible. However, the breed bears traces of this history in its name (raccoon is called raccoon in English) Origin: Maine (United States) © Ankord, Wikimedia Commons, DP
The ragdoll, a rag doll The ragdoll is a very special cat. Its name, which literally means “rag doll”, comes from the fact that when worn it becomes completely soft. Origin: United States © Mike Lawson, Flickr, cc by nc nd 2.0
The Oriental, a Siamese with a colorful coat Like the Siamese, the Oriental or Oriental Shorthair originated in Thailand. Both arrived in the UK at the end of the 19th century, although the Siamese was favored by the British. Unlike the Siamese, the Oriental has a colorful dress. Origin: Thailand © Heikki Siltala, Wikimedia Commons, cc by 3.0
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