The Secret Life of Cats

It is common for people to keep cats as pets.

But domesticated cats can disappear for days a time, existing independently of their owners.

So, where do these mysterious felines go?

How much do we really know about the secret life of cats?

Maren Huck, a behavioral ecologist in the United Kingdom, began a project several years ago to answer these very questions.

The scientist placed small cameras on 16 cats and tracked their movements.

Huck said in a recent interview that she began the project after observing her own pet cat.

One day, it brought home a falcon that was as big as itself.

Hack became curious about how her pet was able to hunt and capture such a large bird.

Through the project, Huck says she gained many insights into feline behavior.

Most notably, cats behave very differently when they are not near people.

Around their owners, cats can seem quite lazy, spending most of their time sleeping or grooming.

Huck says this is likely because the animals feel secure and protected.

However, when humans are not around, domesticated cats become highly alert.

they are excellent hunters, and they spend most of their time honing their skills.

They are also surprisingly social, interacting with other cats and even touching noses with each other.

Hack said that her research showed that most cats need this independent time outdoors.

If such conditions are not possible, cat owners should look for ways to enhance their pets indoor lives.

 

• feline  ˈfiːlaɪn   고양이 같은, 고양잇과의 /  고양이, 고양잇과 동물

• behavioral  bihéivjərəl   행동의, 행동에 관한

• ecologist  i|kɑːlədʒɪst  생태학자  ecology  i|kɑːlədʒi    생태(계), 생태학

• track  træk   (사람들이 걸어다녀서 생긴) 길 (→cart track) ,  (사람짐승의) 발자국, (자동차 바퀴) 자국  /   (자취 등을 따라) 추적하다[뒤쫓다]

• falcon  ˈfælkən   매

• hunt  hʌnt  사냥하다 /   (특히 찾기 힘든 사람사물을 찾는) 물색[수색/추적] (작업) (→treasure hunt, witch-hunt)

• gain / have an insight into  …을 간파하다, 통찰하다

• notably  |noʊtəbli   특히 (=especially)  /  현저히, 뚜렷이 (=remarkably)

• grooming  ˈɡruːmɪŋ  차림새, 몸단장, (동물의) 털 손질  groom  ɡruːm   (동물을) 손질[솔질]하다 ,  (가죽털 등을) 다듬다

• hone  hoʊn   (특히 기술을) 연마하다

• interact  ˌɪntərˈækt    (특히 작업 중에) 소통하다[교류하다] 

• enhance  ɪn|hæns   (좋은 점·가치·지위를) 높이다[향상시키다]