With ears pressed flat and pupils constraining, concluded by an anticipatory lick of the lips, one cannot help but wonder if our beloved domesticated felines are communicating behind their hushed, playful assemblies. It turns out; they just might be.
In a recent scientific revelation published in the Behavioural Processes journal, two esteemed U.S. researchers documented an impressive 276 separate facial signals during social engagements between house cats.
Renowned evolutionary psychologist and co-author of the study, Brittany Florkiewicz of Lyon College in Arkansas, clarified, “Our research showcases that cat communication is incredibly sophisticated, much more so than previously anticipated.” She further elaborated, suggesting that the process of domestication dramatically influences the range and intensity of facial cues displayed by these creatures.
Florkiewicz expounded that in contrast to their feral kin, domesticated cats tend to exhibit greater social tolerance, typified by their close residential proximity to humans. This led the research duo to anticipate discernible expressions spanning both positive and negative emotional spectrums. Surprisingly, the meticulous observation revealed 276 distinct facial prodigies.
The team, including main author Lauren Scott, a medical student at the University of Kansas Medical Center with a penchant for cats, hypothesized that domestication allows cats the liberty for enhanced social encounters. Consequently, propelling a wider emotional vocabulary evidenced by diverse facial expressions.
To substantiate their hypothesis, Scott filmed 53 domestic shorthair cats of varying sexes, all neutered or spayed, at a local cat café during her stint at the University of California, Los Angeles, between August 2021 and June 2022. The close scrutiny of 194 minutes of video footage yielded an intriguing 186 distinct feline interactions.
The researchers meticulously deciphered facial deviations utilizing a unique coding system tailored specifically for feline behavior – cat Facial Action Coding System. An array of potential facial contortions was considered, excluding automatic muscular actions like yawning or breathing.
Unraveling the explicit meanings behind each expression remains elusive. However, Florkiewicz and Scott determined that a majority of the identified signals were inclined towards camaraderie, with 45.7 per cent indicative of friendliness and 37 per cent resonating aggressive undertones.
As detailed in their study, friendly demeanor is displayed through forward-protruding ears and whiskers coupled with narrowing of the eyes. Conversely, aggression is marked by constricted pupils, ears pressed flat against the head, and a tongue-swipe across the lip.
Looking ahead, the team aims to broaden the study by including feline inhabitants of diverse geographical locations. Delving into the intricate world of multi-cat households and feral colonies, they hope to unravel the complex language of feline expressions. A follow-up study to explicitly decipher the manifold expressions remains a future objective, providing a deeper understanding of our beloved pets’ sophisticated communication.
