Article 1

catgirltoes:

transarsonist:

madbags:

naamahdarling:

marinella-ela:

This is called direct registering and it is super cool to watch in slow motion!

I had no idea what I just watched, so here’s why this is cool:

Cats are capable of walking very precisely because, like all felines, they directly register; that is, they place each hind paw (almost) directly in the print of the corresponding fore paw, minimizing noise and visible tracks. This also provides sure footing for their hind paws when they navigate rough terrain.

their front paws have whisker like hairs on them, a little bit behind the pad, so they have greater sensory input on their front paws and so can ensure a sure footing once,
putting their hind paws on directly the same spot means that, for the same processing power and focus, they can ensure sure footing on all four paws with only two sets of foot whiskers.

[video id: a short-haired white cat walks in slow motion along the crest of a sand dune, placing her hind paws directly into the indents left by her front paws of the same side so she leaves only a single set of tracks. She then turns to walk down the side of the dune, slipping a bit in the loose sand and beginning to run, but still maintaining her direct registering. end id]