0:00:06.681,0:00:09.098 Why do cats do that? 0:00:12.568,0:00:14.375 They're cute, they're lovable, 0:00:14.375,0:00:19.847 and judging by the 26 billions views[br]of over 2 million YouTube videos 0:00:19.847,0:00:21.068 of them pouncing, 0:00:21.068,0:00:21.975 bouncing, 0:00:21.975,0:00:22.841 climbing, 0:00:22.841,0:00:23.639 cramming, 0:00:23.639,0:00:24.540 stalking, 0:00:24.540,0:00:25.290 clawing, 0:00:25.290,0:00:26.031 chattering, 0:00:26.031,0:00:27.083 and purring, 0:00:27.083,0:00:28.921 one thing is certain: 0:00:28.921,0:00:32.041 cats are very entertaining. 0:00:32.041,0:00:34.328 These somewhat strange feline behaviors, 0:00:34.328,0:00:36.392 both amusing and baffling, 0:00:36.392,0:00:40.576 leave many of us asking,[br]"Why do cats do that?" 0:00:40.576,0:00:45.983 Throughout time, cats were simultaneously[br]solitary predators of smaller animals 0:00:45.983,0:00:49.198 and prey for larger carnivores. 0:00:49.198,0:00:50.784 As both predator and prey, 0:00:50.784,0:00:55.609 survival of their species depended[br]on crucial instinctual behaviors 0:00:55.609,0:01:00.635 which we still observe in wild [br]and domestic cats today. 0:01:00.635,0:01:04.973 While the feline actions of your house cat[br]Grizmo might seem perplexing, 0:01:04.973,0:01:07.060 in the wild, these same behaviors, 0:01:07.060,0:01:10.188 naturally bred into cats [br]for millions of years, 0:01:10.188,0:01:13.377 would make Grizmo a super cat. 0:01:13.377,0:01:18.108 Enabled by their unique muscular structure[br]and keen balancing abilities, 0:01:18.108,0:01:22.263 cats climbed to high vantage points[br]to survey their territory 0:01:22.263,0:01:24.831 and spot prey in the wild. 0:01:24.831,0:01:29.155 Grizmo doesn't need these particular[br]skills to find and hunt down dinner 0:01:29.155,0:01:30.887 in her food bowl today, 0:01:30.887,0:01:34.357 but instinctually, viewing the living room[br]from the top of the bookcase 0:01:34.357,0:01:37.911 is exactly what she has evolved to do. 0:01:37.911,0:01:44.122 As wild predators, cats are opportunistic[br]and hunt whenever prey is available. 0:01:44.122,0:01:45.980 Since most cat prey are small, 0:01:45.980,0:01:49.651 cats in the wild needed to eat [br]many times each day, 0:01:49.651,0:01:54.991 and use a stalk, pounce, kill, eat[br]strategy to stay fed. 0:01:54.991,0:01:58.862 This is why Grismo prefers to chase[br]and pounce on little toys 0:01:58.862,0:02:02.860 and eat small meals over the course[br]of the day and night. 0:02:02.860,0:02:08.141 Also, small prey tend to hide in tiny[br]spaces in their natural environments, 0:02:08.141,0:02:12.541 so one explanation for Grizmo's propensity[br]to reach into containers and openings 0:02:12.541,0:02:15.436 is that she is compelled by [br]the same curiosity 0:02:15.436,0:02:24.361 that helped ensure the continuation of[br]her species for millions of years before. 0:02:24.361,0:02:30.181 In the wild, cats needed sharp claws[br]for climbing, hunting, and self-defense. 0:02:30.181,0:02:34.778 Sharpening their claws on nearby surfaces[br]kept them conditioned and ready, 0:02:34.778,0:02:36.901 helped stretch their back and leg muscles, 0:02:36.901,0:02:39.321 and relieve some stress, too. 0:02:39.321,0:02:41.451 So, it's not that Grizmo hates your couch, 0:02:41.451,0:02:42.287 chair, 0:02:42.287,0:02:43.272 ottoman, 0:02:43.272,0:02:44.017 pillows, 0:02:44.017,0:02:44.794 curtains, 0:02:44.794,0:02:47.499 and everything else [br]you put in her environment. 0:02:47.499,0:02:52.134 She's ripping these things to shreds[br]and keeping her claws in tip-top shape 0:02:52.134,0:02:57.763 because this is exactly what her ancestors[br]did in order to survive. 0:02:57.763,0:02:59.506 As animals that were preyed upon, 0:02:59.506,0:03:01.883 cats evolved to not get caught, 0:03:01.883,0:03:06.195 and in the wild, the cats that were [br]the best at avoiding predators thrived. 0:03:06.195,0:03:07.651 So at your house today, 0:03:07.651,0:03:11.449 Grizmo is an expert [br]at squeezing into small spaces 0:03:11.449,0:03:15.663 and seeking out and hiding[br]in unconventional spots. 0:03:15.663,0:03:19.727 It also explains why she prefers[br]a clean and odor-free litter box. 0:03:19.727,0:03:23.388 That's less likely to give away [br]her location to any predators 0:03:23.388,0:03:26.573 that may be sniffing around nearby. 0:03:26.573,0:03:28.859 Considering everything [br]we do know about cats, 0:03:28.859,0:03:31.789 it seems that one of their most [br]predominate behaviors 0:03:31.789,0:03:34.292 is still one of the most mysterious. 0:03:34.292,0:03:37.623 Cats may purr for any number of reasons, 0:03:37.623,0:03:38.809 such as happiness, 0:03:38.809,0:03:39.838 stress, 0:03:39.838,0:03:41.131 and hunger. 0:03:41.131,0:03:43.726 But curiously, [br]the frequency of their purrs, 0:03:43.726,0:03:46.466 between 25 and 150 hertz, 0:03:46.466,0:03:51.292 is within a range that can promote[br]tissue regeneration. 0:03:51.292,0:03:54.777 So while her purring makes Grizmo[br]an excellent nap companion, 0:03:54.777,0:04:00.118 it is also possible that her purr[br]is healing her muscles and bones, 0:04:00.118,0:04:03.265 and maybe even yours, too. 0:04:03.265,0:04:04.627 They developed through time 0:04:04.627,0:04:07.752 as both solitary predators [br]that hunted and killed to eat, 0:04:07.752,0:04:12.063 and stealthy prey that hid[br]and escaped to survive. 0:04:12.063,0:04:15.245 So cats today retain many [br]of the same instincts 0:04:15.245,0:04:19.686 that allowed them to thrive in the wild[br]for millions of years. 0:04:19.686,0:04:23.512 This explains some of their seemingly[br]strange behaviors. 0:04:23.512,0:04:26.093 To them, our homes are their jungles. 0:04:26.093,0:04:28.961 But if this is the case, [br]in our own cat's eyes, 0:04:28.961,0:04:30.442 who are we? 0:04:30.442,0:04:34.007 Big, dumb, hairless cats competing with[br]them for resources? 0:04:34.007,0:04:38.545 Terribly stupid predators they're able[br]to outsmart everyday? 0:04:38.545,0:04:40.989 Or maybe they think we're the prey.