by Dennis Elvis
Arguably, cats wiggle their butt before jumping and press their hind legs to the ground as it gives the pets extra friction (traction) to push them forward in a jump.
Currently, there is very little formal, peer-reviewed research into butt-wiggling in cats. However, evolutionary biomechanics professor John Hutchinson of the Royal Veterinary College in London believes the increased traction from butt wiggling, along with preparing the cat’s vision, balance, and muscular system for pouncing, is the most likely explanation.
One of the main explanations for the butt wiggle has to do with the differences in how cats move their hind legs when they are walking versus pouncing. When cats walk, they alternate moving their hind legs to propel themselves forward from point A to point B. But when cats jump or pounce to capture prey, they push off the ground with both hind legs at the same time to give the movement more power, speed, and distance.
The ground beneath the cat must be sturdy enough to support this coordinated movement of the hind limbs. So, this theory suggests that a cat wiggles to either test the solidness of the ground before making the leap, to ensure they have sufficient traction, or to keep themselves well-balanced before pushing off the ground.
Like humans warm up before exercising, a bum wiggle may help cats prepare their muscles for a big leap. Pouncing is a big, energy-intensive movement for cats. A wiggle could help flex their back leg muscles to reduce the risk of injury.
When cats leap, they use the force of their hind legs to propel their body forward. If one slips on the ground, they run the risk of hurting themselves. Likewise, their bodies can twist in the air and prevent them from landing properly.
Miscalculating the strength of the ground or their lack of balance could lead to escaped prey or even injury if the ground gives way underneath them. While house cats are more likely than wild cats to wiggle their butt before they pounce, this behavior has also been observed in big cats like mountain lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards.
Another theory suggests butt wiggling is a form of planning cats use to prepare their muscles for a big, powerful movement—one that must be precise for a successful hunt. These small muscle movements give cats a short aerobic workout and stretch their muscles out to allow for better pouncing.
According to studies, tail shaking is also a manifestation of a cat's play behavior. Similarly, during play sessions, a cat's tail may wag excitedly as they engage with toys or interact with their human companions.
By checking the ground in advance, they can get into a better position to attack, ensuring greater hunting success.
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