Friday, January 06, 2006

Friday Cat Blog (but it's not what you think)

Who says cats ain't smart?

There's an interesting article in the NY Times today on cat evolution and migration that outlines scientists' investigations of how these "very successful predators, second only to humans" have explored and migrated around much of the world and how "evolutionary forces morphed the pantherlike patriarch of all cats into a rainbow of species, from ocelots and lynxes to leopards, lions and the lineage that led to the most successful cat of all, even though it has mostly forsaken its predatory heritage: the cat that has induced people to pay for its board and lodging in return for frugal displays of affection."

Sadly, it may be true that curiosity - along with the need to roam large territories for food - is indeed killing the cat, "because their broad hunting ranges have brought them into collision with people." Indeed, "With the exception of the house cat and a few other small cat species, nearly every one of the 37 species is considered endangered or threatened."

Read the full article and then save the pooties, people! Save the pooties...

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