Animal Behavior: How To Catch a Mouse

[rabid1st]

Someone sent me a video with 20 kitten hugs in it. And I almost linked you to that one. Then, I found this one, which is far more instructive. Like...when hunting a mouse on a slippery surface, stay low. When hunting a mouse, do not get distracted by your tail in the middle of things. When hunting a mouse, try for a nonchalant attitude from time to time. And remember, you may have to defend your kill from other predators.

Comments

[ladyoneill.livejournal.com]

So cute!!!

Though sadly I've seen my cats do this with real mice too often!

I also had one cat who was the worst hunter ever (seriously, would have starved to death on the street) but he actually caught a mouse once and then, so proud, opened his mouth to meow at me and it dropped out and ran off. *g*

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

I had a cat like that as well. Now, they tell me that cats can fool you, but Solomon was a big, lazy moocher and never stirred himself to chase anything. And, in fact, when an evil neighbor took him out into the desert and abandoned him, Sol walked home and, according to the vet, didn't eat or drink on the way. Poor baby died of dehydration because he wasn't able to fend for himself in the wild.

Not to bring down the room or anything, I just am pretty sure some cats are not killing machines. Luckily, this little guy has the goods.

[ladyoneill.livejournal.com]

So sad! Why do people do crap like that????

My cat, the non hunter, did disappear for like two weeks and came home very skinny but someone must have been feeding him.

His problem was that he loved to hunt, he was just huge and had no clue about stealth. He'd just charge after a bird or a mouse and wonder why it got away. :)

[astitchintime-9.livejournal.com]

Cute! I was going to say that - based on his/her markings - the baby's name had better have been 'Chip'(munk), but then I saw the same stripes on the back of the larger cat! So it's genetic. What sort of breed do you suppose they are?

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Some of them are Scottish Folds. You can tell by the ears. I suspect the rest of them are moggie mongrels.

[auntiesuze.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful kitten! And a very good hunter - I could use his/her help around our house to keep the mousies in line. :)

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

You have mousies? We have had a few, but generally they are kept in some check by the local stray cats. Several months ago, I was sitting in my car listening to the end of a CD when I saw this whacking big rat doing a tightrope waltz along our back fence. I was both thrilled and appalled since this was the middle of the day and he seemed very comfortable near my patch.

[auntiesuze.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they come into the cellar, up the baseboard pipes or chimney and get into the ceilings. Normally, they'd be gone at this time of year but it's been so rainy that I think they've had to come back inside. I keep hearing the skritching, but my live traps remain empty.

[np-complete.livejournal.com]

Aw! Gorgeous little predator!

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Isn't he, though? I love predators. I don't know if that makes me odd, but there is something so efficient about them.

[keswindhover.livejournal.com]

The tail moves - much more interesting than a dead mouse.