Observe the hunting behavior.
Yep. Cats. No matter what their size or species, they're the same inside . . . and the big ones will scare you to death! Ask any old Africa hand about lions and leopards, or any Indian about tigers. To them, we're the equivalent of mice.
Peter
I read somewhere (so it must be true!) that domestic cats are quite a bit more similar to their wild counterparts than domestic dogs are to theirs. I recall reading that even after a couple of generations around humans, wolves never developed the eye contact and "body language" that domestic dogs have.
ReplyDeleteI believe about 75 to 80% of everything a cat does is purely instinctual. A dog, not so much, so, much more trainable/breedable to be human friendly.
ReplyDeleteYes whether you favor a purely evolutionary position or that creation was, well created, Cats are amazing. There is a 1 bone difference between Ashbutt and a Siberian Tiger (and it involves growling). The cat family are the kings of the stealth predator on land. And that Jaguar seems to be pushing them into neptune's realm...
ReplyDeleteThey are severely "hard wired". Understanding that makes cohabiting with them easier. Kick off the hunt instinct and your toe or hand gets the same treatment as the mice :-).
I recall reading that even after a couple of generations around humans, wolves never developed the eye contact and "body language" that domestic dogs have.
ReplyDeletePossibly, although I did hear a story (via my mother told by my uncle?) about a wolf that they trapped down near a ranch thatm having exhausted all other means of escape from its human captors, started wagging its tail and looking innocent.
So you're saying that big cats in the wild also rely on "staff" to feed them and take care of their every "need"???
ReplyDeleteNot too many years back, there was a study of domestic cats on farms. (barn/yard cats being as close to wild as is feasible with humans) They came to the conclusion that they are near identical to African Lions in all actions and characteristics. Size being the only real difference.
ReplyDeleteI've read a couple of the Jim Corbett books. Interesting reading.
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