Cats are known for their various body language signals to communicate with other felines and humans. From arching their back in fear to kneading their paws to show affection, cats have a wide range of nonverbal cues. However, a new trend in cat tails is emerging, with some cats sporting a unique curled tail that bends completely over their back.
Morgane Van Belle, a feline ethologist at Ghent University in Belgium, discovered this phenomenon while researching cat-to-cat interactions in people’s homes. She found that some cats had tails that could not be held straight up, but instead bent completely over their backs. This unique trait is likely due to a genetic mutation and is even being promoted as a new breeding effort to create cats with curly tails, known as the American ringtail.
Van Belle and her colleagues observed how these curly-tailed cats interacted with other cats in their respective homes. Despite their unique tails, the cats were still able to communicate and socialize with other felines through different cues such as ear position, odors, and body language. Sandra Nicholson, an animal behavior scientist at University College Dublin, emphasizes that cats use various parts of their body to signal, not just their tails. However, having a curled tail may limit some of their signaling abilities.
It is important to consider how fashionable breeding characteristics can impact not only animals’ physical health but also their social health. Breeds with unique traits like curly tails or snub-noses may face challenges in communication with other animals. Daniel Mills, a veterinary behaviorist at the University of Lincoln in England, suggests that socializing animals with a diverse range of breeds can help improve their ability to communicate effectively.
Overall, the study on curly-tailed cats highlights the adaptability of these animals in communicating with each other despite individual variations. Cats, like other animals, need to be supported and included, regardless of their differences. While a curled tail may give cats a unique “accent,” it is inspiring to see how they can still live normal lives and interact with other felines in their own special way.
