Cats are our enigmatic friends and have long been masters of subtle communication. Published The study, published in the journal Behavioral Processes, delves deep into the world of cat facial expressions, revealing a staggering 276 different facial signs that our furry friends make when interacting with one another.
Cat Facial Action Coding System (CatFACS)
Two dedicated American scientists have undertaken this fascinating investigation using the Cat Facial Action Coding System (CatFACS), a special code that meticulously analyses the number and type of muscle movements that contribute to a cat’s many expressions – like deciphering a secret cat language.
Domestication and social expression
One particularly striking finding from this study was the impact of domestication on cat facial communication. As cats become more domesticated, they have more opportunities to interact face-to-face with fellow cats. This increased social interaction paved the way for the incredible variety of facial expressions we see today.
Spectrum of Expression
Decoding the coded facial expressions revealed a range of emotions. A whopping 45.7% of these expressions were judged to be friendly, indicating warmth and friendship between the cats. Meanwhile, 37% of the expressions were judged to be aggressive, indicating a more aggressive, potentially combative interaction. How do we tell the difference? Read on!
Decoding the signal
Identifying these expressions requires a keen eye for detail. A friendly face has ears and whiskers forward and eyes closed in an amused manner. An aggressive face, on the other hand, shows narrowed pupils, ears flattened and pressed back against the head and a dramatic tongue flick across the lips. It’s a sort of cat code that we’re slowly beginning to decipher.
Future Frontiers
The good news is that this study is just the beginning. Future plans include expanding the sample size to include cats from different locations to understand whether urban and rural cats express themselves differently. Additionally, the researchers hope to conduct follow-up studies to decipher the meaning behind the subtle expressions and unlock the secrets of cat communication systems.
In the cat world, every twitch, blink, and whisker movement tells a story. Thanks to the cat’s facial action coding system, we now have access to the rich tapestry of expressions that characterize feline interactions. As we continue to decipher the cat code, one thing is certain: our feline friends have been quietly talking to each other for a while, and now we’re finally starting to eavesdrop on their entertaining conversations.
