4 ms·
Cats are solitary hunters. They're actually very social animals, but due to their small rodent niche they are very territorial as well (population density of ro
by t-3 3y ago
Cats are solitary hunters. They're actually very social animals, but due to their small rodent niche they are very territorial as well (population density of rodents is directly proportional to viable population density of cats, so territory is a matter of life and death). The individuals rarely need meet save for mating, but regular social gatherings still occur and the relationship diagrams of each individual are far more complex than those of a member of a pack-based species. Humans' extremely long period of adolescence necessitates mated pairs and families, but I think our basic social pattern is more catlike than doglike in many regards.
- cassepipe 3y agoVery interesting. Could you expand on why you "think our basic social pattern is more catlike than doglike in many regards" ?
- mancerayder 3y ago>population density of rodents is directly proportional to viable population density of cats, so territory is a matter of life and death Interesting, except that rodents seem to multiply like mad, whether in a crowded city or rural area, they don't seem to be in short supply. Except maybe it's a holdover from cats' origin story of being desert creatures.
- jncfhnb 3y agoThey multiply like mad, but the total numbers are kept in check by the number of predators. Not a contradiction.