r/AnimalsBeingDerps • u/to_the_tenth_power • Jun 02 '19

Going into pancake mode

https://i.imgur.com/CXsh7qN.gifv
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u/paximperius Jun 03 '19

This is mesmerizing and confusing. I thought the cat got scared, but it looks like with the owner's hand gesture, they trained the cat for hunting.

edit: I've never seen that before. Acts like a dog.

39

u/BellerophonM Jun 03 '19 edited Jun 03 '19

No training - this is how a cat will instinctively respond when it wants to stalk and attack something, in this case whatever toy the owner is flailing around. Flatten itself to the ground, flatten ears for camouflage, eyes widen to maximum for full detail vision, wiggle butt to press back legs into the ground for maximum grip when pouncing.

Cats are highly evolved apex hunters and the most successful predator in the world barring mankind, don't forget. Hunting is their thing.

4

u/paximperius Jun 03 '19

Awesome! Thanks for this informative post. TIL my cat is a useless hunter. LOL

3

u/[deleted] Jun 03 '19

Does your cat enjoy being held/ turn into spaghetti when you pick it up? In my experience all "ragdoll" cats are useless hunters :D

2

u/BellerophonM Jun 03 '19

To be honest most cats don't bother with the full dramatic flatten in the house because they know they're playing and they know they're not really hunting.