There is no description available for this video. The cat, whose name is Margot (I believe), stands to attention when the Russian national anthem is played. Margot has either learned to do this through observing human behaviour such as the Russian military parades, perhaps on television, or she has been trained to do it by her owner. The more cynical amongst us might decide she has been trained. I favour learning by observation.
http://youtu.be/6pMl7zVgNms
Our domestic cats learn by observing us and what happens around us. This is quite natural because we know that cats learn how to hunt from their mother in the wild. We know that cats are good observational learners. There is well known video of a cat boxing while watching a boxing match. It appeared to be a stark example of the domestic cat learning human behavior from the television.
I quote from the excellent book, “The Welfare of Cats” edited by Irene Rochlitz:
“Laboratory studies have revealed that cats are excellent observational learners. For example, they can learn arbitrary tasks that do not involve skills their ancestors needed to survive, simply by watching another cat complete the task. This ability is clearly relevant to kittens to rapidly learn hunting skills from their mother.”
The classic example of a mother teaching her kittens how to hunt is by bringing live prey back to the den when the kittens are about 4 weeks of age. The prey is released in the presence of the kittens whereupon the mother demonstrates hunting techniques on the prey. The kittens then practice these observed skills while their mother supervises them.
Kittens are more readily socialised in human households if their mother is present and calm during the process. No doubt the kittens observe their mother and the fact that she is calm when handled by humans and follows suit.
Most learning is from mother but adult males are involved too. More research needs to be done on social learning in kittens. This may prove to be a very important aspect of the life of domestic cats in the future because cats also learn from observing us who they treat as fellow cats.
Perhaps cat owners should be more aware that their cat may be learning by watching them. This certainly applies in raising children but it may also be of some relevance in respect of the domestic cat as well.
Dee did you get the chance to see the video? I ask because it went blank! I have just replaced it with another.
In my opinion, some cats do a good job of mimicing their caretakers in some things. I have a couple that will try to mimic my “kissy” sound although they can’t do it well. Some will try to repeat other sounds that I make. Two will come with me and look for things in a pattern that I usually have.
I sure would like to know who Damon observed that turned him into such a thief.
Yes, I have a page on the Moscow Cat Theatre.
Perhaps this cat was, at one time, a member of this theatre – could be.
Margot has flattened ears so she might have some Scottish Fold in her.
Sounds right to me. Informal training if you like. It looks extraordinary. She immediately took up position when the music started so she must have practiced this. It looks trained-in to me.
All animals including non-human animals learn a lot from observing.