On the true nature of the house cat (1)
Many people discount the idea that cats can have emotional bonds with humans. Thus, in “The truth about cats”, Michael Marshall suggests his cat may “just be looking for warmth”, rather than cuddles(11 March, p 46).
Why are feline behaviours emotionally downplayed in this way? People don’t do this with dogs (or other domestic animals for that matter). Consider this. Wolf pups lick the muzzles of adult wolves and this prompts adults to regurgitate food for the pups. Similarly, many dogs lick the faces of their owners. But I have yet to hear someone offhandedly comment: “Your dog isn’t showing you affection, it just wants you to regurgitate food for it.”
On the true nature of the house cat (2)
This article reminded me of the emotional attachments of a local cat. When we moved to our house, it lived in our garden and our neighbour’s. Its owner had moved about 6 kilometres away.
She had taken the cat and kept it indoors for a few weeks because cats have a reputation of returning to their old house. As soon as it was let out, it came straight “home”. She tried about four times with longer and longer lockdowns, but eventually gave up. The cat’s attachment to “home” was stronger than to its owner.
On the true nature of the house cat (3)
I’m sure I won’t be alone in congratulating you on taking the science of cat “ownership” seriously. Regarding the test on whether your cat can read your gaze, our cat Bertie understands the concept of following human gaze. He has long requested food close to mealtimes from people near his food bowl in the kitchen by using a particular procedure.
First, he delicately taps the foot of the “owner” who is present, using his claw to touch, but not scratch, our skin. When we look down at him, he makes eye contact, slowly turns his head to gaze at the clock on the wall and then turns back to make eye contact again. We feed him.
We assume he noticed that we look at the clock to check it really is his mealtime before we feed him.
On the true nature of the house cat (4)
You wonder if affection in cats is, in fact, cupboard love. When I go out, my cat waits for hours by my front door, with much vocalisation and rubbing when I return, but it’s not for food. There is untouched food in her bowl. She also sleeps beside me on the couch with one paw touching me and wakes if I move. Surely this is separation anxiety. My mother’s cat has the same sort of bond with her.
I have noticed that cats seem to only have this sort of bond with one particular person, which is different to the human-dog dynamic and may explain the perception by non-owners that cats are less sociable than dogs. I don’t think you can study cat sociability using someone else’s cat.
One way to meet the 2000-watt challenge
On the subject of the 2000-watt energy-saving challenge, we consume energy at the rate of 12,000 kilowatts per year to run our house of five people and charge an electric car(11 February, p 36).
This equates to a rate of energy use of 1400 watts an hour. We have no gas, just a ground source heat pump and solar panels. Two of us are retired and are at home often during the day. The heat pump provides a uniform temperature 24/7. Our energy use leaves scope in the 2000-watt target for energy related to food production.
All hail your explanation of strange liquid sponges
Liquid sponges are counter-intuitive in the extreme, yet Katharine Sanderson manages to describe what is going on at the molecular level in these new materials in a completely comprehensible way. She achieves this by using analogies with everyday objects that we all understand 鈥� doughnuts, pasta, dinner plates. As a one-time secondary school chemistry teacher, I am full of admiration(11 March, p 43).
Data will shift the dial in the clean river campaign
Jamie Woodward is quite correct. Better data on the state of rivers would forcefully multiply the sound and fury over pollution(11 March, p 8).
Data collection and analysis should be independent. Sampling can begin where each river rises, continuing at 1-kilometre intervals downstream. Sample collection could be done by drones that return to the same spot each time. Analysis should be automated to reveal the spectrum of pollution. In time, a compelling set of data would show where it is happening, identify the pollutants and enable the source of pollution to be located. With data like that, we could pillory government and polluters both.
Stone Age cave art is a wonder in many ways
“Messages from the Stone Age”, about hand stencils found in caves and early human culture, brings to mind 16,500-year-old cave paintings in Lascaux, France. These are said to with the Hyades star cluster as the face and, above it, the Pleiades, as well as other stars. Such art also suggests a widespread early culture(18 March, p 38).
Good governance of nature is possible
James Fradgley thinks that the Judaeo-Christian idea of having dominion over nature is the biggest problem in how we regard nature as mere property(Letters, 25 February).
Dominion in itself isn’t the problem, rather the greed and indifference that makes people “use” nature for their own ends. There is such a thing as good governance. I am a Christian and I have never seen nature as property. I have always regarded myself as a visitor in a world of beauty.
The dog-human bond is a mutual one too
Your story claims that mongooses and warthogs provide the only example of mutualism between two mammal species. Hang on, what about dogs and humans? We provide food and a warm place to sleep. They help us hunt, herd our sheep, protect our property, guide those who are blind, offer comfort, give older people a reason to go for a walk, and play fetch. Sounds like mutualism to me(4 February, p 44).