Research based on their owner's observations (always subject to a bit of concern) over an extended period on 44 neutered pet cats by researchers at Queen's University Belfast has confirmed that individual animals have a dominant paw when entering a litter box, starting to walk et cetera (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jan/22/paw-choice-cats-show-right-and left-hand-preferences). They did, however, find that male cats tended to use their left paw and females the right. As the right hemisphere of the brain controls the left side of the body (and vice versa), they speculated that this might account for the more prominent fear responses evident in males (the right side of the brain is said to be more concerned with 'emotional' factors than the left side).
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Wednesday 24 January 2018
Cat's Paw?
Research based on their owner's observations (always subject to a bit of concern) over an extended period on 44 neutered pet cats by researchers at Queen's University Belfast has confirmed that individual animals have a dominant paw when entering a litter box, starting to walk et cetera (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jan/22/paw-choice-cats-show-right-and left-hand-preferences). They did, however, find that male cats tended to use their left paw and females the right. As the right hemisphere of the brain controls the left side of the body (and vice versa), they speculated that this might account for the more prominent fear responses evident in males (the right side of the brain is said to be more concerned with 'emotional' factors than the left side).
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