
A recent research illuminates the diverse ways cats interact when humans are not around.
A team of researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, undertook a fascinating project to interpret the facial expressions of cats. Their research, documented in the Behavioural Processes journal and cited by ANSA, involved a detailed examination of videos recorded in an environment where people interact with multiple cats, including activities such as yoga.
The research was led by Lauren Scott, a committed medical student, who dedicated an entire academic year to record the facial expressions of cats when there was no human interaction, during the facility’s closure hours. The resulting footage of 194 minutes offered a rich dataset for scrutiny.
In collaboration with evolutionary psychologist Brittany Florkiewicz, the team carefully classified each facial movement, excluding those related to basic functions like breathing and chewing. Remarkably, they discovered an impressive 276 unique facial expressions in cats, greatly exceeding prior estimates.
These expressions, made up of various combinations of 26 different facial movements, provide intriguing insights into cat communication. From semi-closed lips to wide pupils, from the positioning of whiskers to the orientation of ears, each expression narrates a detailed tale of a cat’s emotional state.
Interestingly, the research found that about 45% of the observed expressions were clearly signs of friendliness, while 37% showed indications of aggression. The remaining 18% displayed more uncertain signals, highlighting the intricacy of cat communication.
While the exact meanings of these expressions are still unclear, certain trends were observed. In friendly interactions, cats seemed to orient their ears and whiskers towards their peers, whereas in antagonistic encounters, they displayed behaviors indicative of avoidance or confrontation.
Comprehending these subtle signals is crucial for understanding the complex language of cats and promoting peaceful relationships between cats and humans. Continued research in this area is expected to reveal even more secrets about the fascinating realm of cat communication.
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