What is this cat doing?
Taking a common sense viewpoint it looks like the cat is checking whether the cat that he sees in the mirror is him. He waves his forelegs around to see if they move in the mirror. That’s what it looks like but no doubt he is doing something else.
The video begs the question whether he realises it is him in the mirror. Experts say cats are not self-conscious.
The video paid of the video maker’s tuition fees so it did pretty well.
Thanks Serbella. I’d like to see scientists comment on this behavior because they say that cats are not self-aware. I am not sure they are right.
To me it looks like the cat while gaining balance saw the cat image and just got curious, maybe hoping for a potential new friend; however he has to assume a cat fighting stance to see in the mirror. lets see that again-cat looks friendly but?
I’m not trying to compliment anyone, but it would be a safe guess you don’t get many, Gail. I don’t know what you’re doing here, but I think it would behoove you to close your mouth and open your mind, or you’re just going to be a pain in the behind.
Anthropomorphizing your own thoughts down to that of the level of a cat’s reptilian-brain-stem-controlled behavior is neither complimentary to yourself, nor the cat.
Scientists are also quick to admit they know little about cats. What they say they do know, is usually negative… that cats don’t think, feel or do anything with purpose or comprehension. My impression is that this cat extended his paws to help balance himself. Then, as he saw that the cat in the mirror did the same exact thing, he was both perplexed and fascinated, and purposely waved to see if the mirror cat would do it again. This cat is a scientist in his own right.
It does look like that cat is testing his reflection in order to determine if that’s really him in the mirror. My Turkish Angora Angel would dance and play with her reflection in the mirror. She was apparently self-aware and I saw her perform the same actions.