Cats are Masters of Physics

11/19/2010

Science has officially proven that cats are perfect. More specifically, scientists have documented a particular feline skill (one among many, cats lovers agree) that requires an oddly perfect mastery of the science of physics.

For years, it was believed that cats, like dogs, used their tongues as a kind of ladle to cup liquid and pull it towards their mouths. Recent studies have shown, however, that cats use a very different method that involves a precise balancing of gravity and inertia when it comes to drinking.

(Silly scientists, to think that cats would use such pedestrian method of lapping--even worse, one employed by those hopelessly imperfect creatures known as dogs. The insult! Naturally, the cat method is far superior, and I daresay a lot less sloppy.)

It turns out that all cats need to do is barely touch the surface of the liquid with the top of their tongue and then quickly pull it back. This movement pulls the liquid upward toward the mouth and inertia keeps it moving in that direction. Gravity pulls it back toward the ground.

All cats, from a tiny domestic tabby to the largest tiger, instinctually know how quickly to move their tongue and just how hard to touch the water surface to create the perfect balance of these opposing physical forces so that the water essentially floats right into their mouths.

Unlike dogs, which have to lunge their head forward to gulp the water they ladle up with their tongues, cats don't even have to move their heads, it's simply a matter of opening and shutting their mouths.

VIDEO: Of course, not all cats have perfected this method!