Scientists Scour Internet for Feline Videos
Citizen Science Project Aims to Decode Cat Body Language
Researchers from universities in Italy, Canada, and Turkey have launched an exciting new citizen science project, seeking cat videos from owners worldwide. The aim of this project is to systematically decode how cats communicate their feelings and preferences through body language [1].
The project is particularly interested in understanding the position of a cat's tail, their preference for sleeping on a specific side, and their paw preference when retrieving treats. To gather this data, participants are asked to record and provide short video clips of their cats in certain situations for five consecutive days [1].
For instance, scientists use a simple experiment where owners encourage cats to paw treats out of a toilet roll tube to study paw preference [1]. By collecting large amounts of naturalistic behavioral data, they hope to draw conclusions about feline body language that can help improve cat welfare and understanding.
The project has received a strong response from cat lovers, with over 500 cat owners registering to participate shortly after the first call. The research team includes veterinarians and psychologists who will analyse the collected data. However, the project does not offer any incentives or rewards for participation and does not disclose the duration of the study or when the results will be made public [1].
Intriguingly, the project also aims to potentially uncover knowledge about evolutionary advantages related to cats often sleeping on their left side [1]. No prior knowledge is required for participation, and simple mobile phone videos are sufficient. Participants are required to fill out a short questionnaire about their cat and their relationship, as outlined in the university's call.
This project offers a unique opportunity for cat owners to contribute to scientific research and gain insights into their feline friends' behavior. If you are a cat owner and are interested in participating, be sure to follow the instructions provided in the university's call.
[1] Source: University call for participation in the cat body language study. Date of access: [insert date here]. URL: [insert URL here].
- The community policy of the cat body language study encourages participants to provide short mobile phone videos of their cats for five consecutive days, with no incentives or rewards offered.
- Understanding feline body language through this project could lead to advancements in health-and-wellness, vocational training (like cat behavior therapy), fitness-and-exercise (like cat physiotherapy), and science (like evolutionary studies), benefiting both the cat owners and the feline community.
