Cat behaviour Flashcards
how many species of cats are there
37
solitary and strongly territorial
what is cool about cheetas
litters remain together until they become 6 months old
females disperse
male siblings remain together
whats cool about African lions
females live in kinships (pride)
there is no dominance chain - highly cooperative
cubs are kept hidden for 6 weeks before getting introduced into the bride
male siblings remain in groups and compete for females
pride changes ownership regularly - infanticide - ekill the young to stop genes from moving on
males eat first
whats cool about the felis silvestris wildcat
no group living besides mother and offspring
strongly territorial but not asocial
communication with neighbouring territories due to scent
do not adapt group livign even if resources are available
what is the history of cat domestication
socialization might have started with the man made grain stores - prey expansion
introduction of cats into urba areas to control mouse populations
reproduction isolation from its wild counterparts
secure resources
what type of groups do cats live in
exclusively matriarchal
remarkable degree of flexibility in their social arrangements
free living females build colonies with siblings and thei kittens depend on
is there a dominance hierarchy
adults are both breeders and helpers
mother recognize their offspring but also take care of unrelated kittens
feeding priority is given to juveniles under 1 year old
what is the benefit to group living in females
reduce competition with other females
protection from males
protection from predators
defence of good territories (food and shelter)
better use of resources
shared information
what are the disadvanteges
draw more attention to themselces
disease spread (transmission of viruses)
how do males live
free living males older than 1 year become solitary
no coalitions are formed (unlike cheetas or lions)
fight for mates
no infanticides - they dont know which ones are theres and theres a group of females
what does communication do
mother kitten relationship
mating
agression - agonistic and affiliative
how is agonistic behaviour meaured
in threats
staring
horzontal tail, lashing of the tail
assuming threatening postures to maximize body appearance
ritualized vocal duels
baring canines
striking a paw
biting
non sexual mount
chasing
what are submissive signals
avoidance, elevation, crouching, retreat and rolling
what affiliative behaviours
tail up postures
allorub - exchange of odour
allogroom
social sniff
what are mating behaviours
calling to attract males
rolling around on the belly and back
holding her tail to the side to expose genitalia
excessive affection
excessive rubbing against inaimate objects