Many pet owners notice that before jumping, a cat sometimes wiggles its hips. At the same time, the animal presses itself to the ground and flattens its ears.
Although official studies on this phenomenon have not been conducted, scientist John Hutchinson, a professor of evolutionary biomechanics, has expressed his hypotheses. He believes that tail wiggling may help the cat press its hind legs to the ground for better traction when jumping. The behavior may also be related to preparing the sensory systems and muscles for quick response.
In addition, such behavior may serve as a warm-up for the muscles. Or perhaps it is just a peculiar manifestation of excitement during hunting.
Wild felines, including lions and tigers, also exhibit similar behavior before an attack. Considering the domestication of cats around 10,000 years ago, studying their behavior may yield interesting results.
