Incidentally I don’t think this is actually evolution; more learned behavior. They repeat the tone we respond to the most. My cat also bites my foot when he wants attention because he has learned that it’s hard for me to ignore.
Cats were perfectly positioned to coexist with humans - they eat the pests that feed on our grain, aren’t large enough to be much of a threat, aren’t a good food source, and are soft and nice to pet. Explains why they self-domesticated more than once in different parts of the world!
They could find a way out but they don’t because they like us and I think that makes them special. Like even if a neighbor feeds them it’s us they come back home to so their love is not motivated by just food and shelter.
I once had a cat that learned to imitate my text message notification sound (at the time it was Tiny Tina saying “pooow”) just to get my attention. He would also scream his lungs out if he thought no one was home.
Incidentally I don’t think this is actually evolution; more learned behavior. They repeat the tone we respond to the most. My cat also bites my foot when he wants attention because he has learned that it’s hard for me to ignore.
Cats were perfectly positioned to coexist with humans - they eat the pests that feed on our grain, aren’t large enough to be much of a threat, aren’t a good food source, and are soft and nice to pet. Explains why they self-domesticated more than once in different parts of the world!
Domesticated is a bit of a stretch, especially when we often hope they still hunt rodents. 😜
They tolerate us, and maybe often love us, but would not hesitate to survive without us.
Cats are independent people that choose to continue to live with you because it’s nice. Most of them can find a way out if they want it.
They could find a way out but they don’t because they like us and I think that makes them special. Like even if a neighbor feeds them it’s us they come back home to so their love is not motivated by just food and shelter.
I once had a cat that learned to imitate my text message notification sound (at the time it was Tiny Tina saying “pooow”) just to get my attention. He would also scream his lungs out if he thought no one was home.
That’s a great tone!
That’s a worthy distinction. The genetic vs the social. I’ll allow it.