A Michael Broad Blog
Being cared for by humans significantly influences the inherited social structure of domestic cats (Felis catus), shaping their behaviors and interactions in ways that differ from their wild ancestors. Here are some key effects: 1. Increased Social Tolerance 2. Reduced Need for Territorial Defense 3. Retention of Kitten-Like Behaviors (Neoteny) 4. Modified Communication Patterns …
One can do a lot worse than quote Dr Desmond Morris who I have already briefly quoted in the infographic. Here is the full text: Religious bigots have often employed the cunning device of converting other people’s heroes into villains, to suit their own purposes. In this way, the ancient horned God that protected …
First intact sabre-toothed cub unearthed from Siberian permafrost. Infographic. by Michael Broad Here is a short summary of the sabre-toothed cat from internet research: The sabre-toothed cat, often referred to as the “saber-tooth tiger,” is one of the most iconic prehistoric predators, famed for its impressive pair of elongated canine teeth. Belonging to the …
The BBC video on the BBC website about the shipping of 19.5 tons of mummified cats (180,000 mummies) from Egypt to Liverpool, England in 1890 is excellent but for one omission. It does not refer to a very important part of the story; how so many mummified cats came into existence. Where exactly did …
Mr Noah Webster in his Websters Dictionary published in the United States, includes a definition of the domestic cat which makes for uncomfortable reading for most cat owners or even non-cat owners. Some Americans will probably agree with the definition! (✿◡‿◡) Fair enough, but I am afraid that they’ll be wrong as was Mr …
The similarity of all cat species from the modest domestic cat to the massive Siberian tiger, in terms of their anatomy and behaviour, indicates that through eons of evolution, this species of predator has been perfected. There is no more work for evolution to do. This is the thought of an evolutionary biologist, Anjali …
This is a fascinating – and slightly horrifying – story from the 19th century. 🙀 Here’s the story: in the 1800s, there was a booming trade in mummies and mummy parts. Egyptians mummified a lot of animals, especially cats, which were sacred creatures in their culture. Victorians, however, didn’t see these mummies as cultural …
This is a lovely photograph as the cat looks like an ancient Egyptian statue. All the ancient Egyptian statues depict elegant, rather slender, shorthaired cats. They remind me of today’s Abyssinian cat and there may be a connection there but there is no evidence. This cat has a grey coat and steely, golden eyes …
