Due
to their predatory nature, cats' senses have developed in a manner that
facilitates their instinct to hunt. Of their six senses, first and foremost,
a cat's hearing is the most acute. With hearing even more sensitive than
a dog's, a cat can not only hear the slightest noise, it can also accurately
judge the direction from which it is coming.
Sight is another key element in a cat's hunting ability. While a cat's
general vision is poor (much duller than a person's) because of the particular
structure of their retinas, cats have an exceptional ability to see movement.
A cat's sense of smell is also highly developed. Smells not only divulge
where something (e.g. food) is, they also play an important part in the
determining of how cats distinguish each other's territory. Cats typically
rub up against furniture and other objects as a way of leaving their scent.
Whiskers are also crucial for a cat. In essence, whiskers enable a cat
to 'feel out' their surroundings. Whickers are necessary in helping a cat
maintain its balance and equilibrium. Whiskers are so sensitive they can
detect a change in weather or air movement.
Taste is a cat's weakest sense. A cat has only a fraction of the taste
buds a human does. While cats can be finicky, it usually has to do with
the texture or temperature of the food. Cats prefer their food to resemble
the prey they would catch if they were wild.
|
