Funny science mysteries (end part)

Why do cats hate being wet? When caught standing in the shower, cats run away not because they don't like water, but maybe they are scared. Scientists believe that less contact with domestic cats - mostly with leaky faucets and sinks - makes them afraid of becoming wet.

The ancestors living in the desert of domestic cats also have very limited experience with water. Genetic studies conducted at the US National Cancer Institute show that the closest relatives of domestic cats are wild cats from Africa, Europe and Chinese desert cats. And right from the time when humans tamed the first cats - the earliest evidence from 9,500 years ago - their owners protected their love animals from these factors.

"Cats do not evolve to get used to water," said Katherine Houpt, an animal behavioral researcher at Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Whether a cat likes water or not depends not only on the place of living, but also on its interaction with enemies and prey, Jack Grisham, Director of Animal Collection of St. Peter's Zoo. Louis, said.

Lions live on dry areas to avoid bathing in crocodile-strewn rivers, while leopards hide on trees, away from water and predators below. In contrast, a few domesticated farm cats enjoyed loitering around lakes to search for toads.

And the cat that catches fish, lives in wetlands from India to Indonesia, pats the water with its feet and then grabs its prey with membrane claws.

Owners can also train cats to overcome water fears by bathing them as children. However, most veterinarians do not recommend this, because they dry the animal's skin and lose the secretions necessary for communication with other children. In addition, the cat has a full range of support to clean its own hair: its saliva contains a natural cleanser to reduce grease, and the tongue with a prong like a comb will remove dirt.

Even so, some cats still like water. " They really play with water, " Houpt said.

Funny science mysteries (part 1)
Funny science mysteries (part 2)
Funny science mysteries (part 3)
Funny science mysteries (part 4)
Funny science mysteries (part 5)

T. An