Mystery of how cats drink finally solved...

[EnigmaNemesis]

Now this is very interesting. Felidae have always been a fascinating creature to me, from your common house cats, all the way to your big wild cats. From being the strictest of carnivores out of all 16 mammal families, to their senses and uncanny knack of problem solving and night vision (who doesn't love night vision)

But the way that they got fluids when they drank was always a mystery until now. And how they do get it will surprise you. And doing it by balancing gravity with inertia. Pretty amazing!

WASHINGTON (AFP) – US researchers on Thursday unveiled the secret of how cats lap water or milk with such elegance, a phenomenon that happens so fast it cannot be followed by human eyes.

Cats are among the many species that, unlike humans, cannot close their mouths and create suction.

With help from from high-speed video taken of a felines lapping liquid, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Princeton University found that household cats and larger felines like tigers balance gravity and inertia as they imbibe liquids...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101111...20101111202537

[CMH]

Re: Mystery of how cats drink finally solved...

Unless I'm missing it, why is there no video of this being done? Nice to explain, but I want to see it actually happening. It seems like a cool thing to witness with one's eyes.

Also, why are Yahoo! articles filled with so much nonsense in the comments section? Every article includes the band of people that say: "Why is this important? Who cares? Why did they waste their time writing this?"

Apparently, those people don't realize that article writers write articles.

[EnigmaNemesis]

Re: Mystery of how cats drink finally solved...

Because a lot people in the internet are over opinionated ***holes. And nobody cares about those types in real life, so they have their anonymity to be mouthbreathers and think people care with what they have to say.

I will try and find the video. This is very interesting and exciting all at the same time. There are many reasons why the Egyptians held felines as well as other ancient cultures in such high regards.

What I find most fascinating, is cats lack the gene that tells them they are thirsty. So for such an animal to develop such an elegant way of drinking, is quite fascinating.

Of course they also say cats lack the gene that makes them taste sweets, but my cats not only go nuts for water to be turned on in the sing so they can drink a fresh stream, but they LOVE sweets too. HAHA! Maybe their gene scientists think they lack, they don't need, and just know. Who knows.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: Mystery of how cats drink finally solved...

There are many reasons why the Egyptians held felines as well as other ancient cultures in such high regards.

Egyptians, as well as crazy cat ladies.

Now, don't think I'm being a jerk... because I kind of am a crazy cat guy.

[EnigmaNemesis]

Re: Mystery of how cats drink finally solved...

Here is the video... WOW! AMAZING, yet elegant!

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http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/11/11/5449974-scientists-reveal-secret-of-a-cats-lap

[BurghFan]

Re: Mystery of how cats drink finally solved...

I get the feeling the anchor likes dogs over cats based on the last line.

[CMH]

Re: Mystery of how cats drink finally solved...

Thanks for the video. Pretty cool stuff. I wish they were able to find out why cats use this trick but dogs do not.

[superjames1992]

Re: Mystery of how cats drink finally solved...

Thanks for the video. Pretty cool stuff. I wish they were able to find out why cats use this trick but dogs do not.

Cats are generally cleaner creatures than dogs in most ways for whatever reason.

[eDotd]

Re: Mystery of how cats drink finally solved...

I want one of those high speed cameras.

[CMH]

Re: Mystery of how cats drink finally solved...

Cats are generally cleaner creatures than dogs in most ways for whatever reason.

Yes, true. I want to know why. I guess it's just the way it is.

[Dirty Turtles]

Re: Mystery of how cats drink finally solved...

I never really gave a thought to any of this, I just knew that when I put down some water the cats would come and drink it. Interesting stuff.

[Skyboxer]

Re: Mystery of how cats drink finally solved...

There are many reasons why the Egyptians held felines as well as other ancient cultures in such high regards.

Main one is Mummy's are afraid of them. I'd own one if there were any Mummy's around.

[kt-od]

Re: Mystery of how cats drink finally solved...

I also wonder if it's easier for cats to do this based on their rough tongue. I know that it's used for grooming, but I wonder if it helps with their lapping. And since dog's have smooth tongues, they need to ladle it more.

[EnigmaNemesis]

Re: Mystery of how cats drink finally solved...

I also wonder if it's easier for cats to do this based on their rough tongue. I know that it's used for grooming, but I wonder if it helps with their lapping. And since dog's have smooth tongues, they need to ladle it more.

Well cats drink with the back sides of their tongues. It flicks in reverse to cause the flute of water so gracefully.

The rough part of the tongue is for grooming and "combing" the hair to keep it clean and well maintained.

As for the dog question, I think felines are more graceful as a whole species, the way they hunt, to how clean they are, etc. They are one of the most fierce yet patient and elegant hunters in the predatory kingdom.

Dogs are a scavenger by nature, so they just go to town when eating or drinking... and in fact would eat themselves to death if enough food was left there due to this. Where cats know the limit... and most people who have fat cats are not cause the cat overeats, but because the diet they are fed are high in carbohydrates. Cats do not need the carbs, they just need all protein. Carbs are just fillers and preservatives, etc in cheap foods.