has anyone ever noticed the paw prints that cats leave in the snow...?

[dysfunctional press]

even though they have four legs, when they walk, they leave what look like single file prints- one line of prints- not two...one right in line with the others.

we live in a semi-rural area, and it's fun to go for a walk the morning after a fresh snow- there are all sorts of animal prints to find- deer, coyote, rabbits, squirrels, foxes, raccoons, etc...as well as the domestic dogs and semi-domestic cats. there are also almost as many different kinds of crap to find in the snow as well- damn rabbits ate my BEAUTIFUL azaleas, and left piles of their pellets scattered around them. fucking rodents.

[Jamastiene]

1. Nice post, Elmer Fudd.

:P

:evilgrin:

:hide:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Cats directly register when they walk

which means that the hind foot lands exactly where the front foot was. That's why you see those single-file prints. Most other animals don't walk that way, so you see more prints.

[Captain Hilts]

4. Is that what it's called? Neat. nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. This is why they do that:

"Direct registering serves a useful purpose -- animals that stalk their prey can see where they place their front feet, so they don't break twigs or make other noises. Then they place their hind feet in the exact spot, so they can move silently from place to place. Cats will show perfect registering; dogs have lost their ability to register." http://www.nps.gov/archive/mora/notes/vol3a-2b.htm

[havocmom]

9. Silent walking, huh?

My semi-domesticated killer cat sounds like a pair of mastiffs when she rumbles around. I think she just likes the noise. If she were a vehicle, she would have no muffler.

[Demoiselle]

10. I did NOT know that! (Oh I do miss Johnny Carson.)

Thank you Velveteen...I have one still feral cat outside (she's considering coming indoors...all 6 of her kittens, grown, are inside the house) and now that you mention it, I have noticed her adorable little single line of prints in the snow. Nature is pretty damn impressive, huh?

[dysfunctional press]

7. ah.

thanks for the info. it certainly gives them an air of stealth when they prowl...even if it's just over to the food bowl.

[Bertha Venation]

3. Yes. That is so cool.

I have no doubt that some of my cats have taken care of some of your rabbits over the years. :cry:

:hi:

[RushIsRot]

5. I've noticed that deer walk in a similar manner.

[dysfunctional press]

8. somewhat, perhaps...but they still generally leave two rows of prints...

with the cats, the prints from their right legs and left legs fall into a single line- like they're walking a tightrope.

[UTUSN]

11. I notice BIG, SPLAYED, hugh smeared MUD prints all up my car. AND scratches on the paint job n/t

[emilyg]

12. LOL - same here.

[Skittles]

13. yes indeed

.......the cat walks or runs by moving the front and back legs on one side, and then the front and back legs on the other side. The camel and the giraffe are the only other animals that move in this way. Other four-legged animals move the left front leg at the same time as the right hind leg, and their right front leg with the left hind leg.

[ashling]

14. Except that rabbits aren't rodents

Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha.