Cats are (almost) liquid
A playful but real study on how cats judge whether they can squeeze through gaps prompts people to compare feline “liquidity” with dogs’ more cautious behavior and humans’ limited flexibility. Commenters highlight anatomical factors such as flexible spines, free-floating collarbones, and highly sensitive whiskers (vibrissae), and connect these traits to cats’ dual role as both predators and prey. The thread also touches on broader questions about how seriously science should treat whimsical topics, citing earlier “cat rheology” work and Ig Nobel–style research.
Overall reactions & anecdotes
- Many share stories of cats behaving like “amorphous blobs” or “pudding in a sock,” pouring off furniture, twisting 180°–plus, and sleeping in bizarre poses (e.g., “Buddha” sit, head fully upside-down).
- People contrast different cats’ “weight” and gait: some are feather‑light, others feel like four lead columns when they stand on you.
- Several describe extreme flexibility mishaps: wedging in stair balusters, getting stuck behind sofas, or bouncing unharmed from heavy doors.
- Similar “liquid” behavior is reported in some dogs and even in a contortionist human, leading to talk of hypermobility and connective‑tissue differences.
Anatomy, flexibility, and sensing
- Comments highlight:
- Very flexible spines and free‑floating collarbones allowing cats to squeeze through narrow gaps.
- Hips and shoulders described as strong but not unusually mobile; the spine and selective joint dislocation do most of the work.
- Whiskers (vibrissae) are emphasized as major tools for assessing openings and nearby objects, especially in poor light.
- Some think cats mostly judge width with their head/whiskers but hesitate more with very short or low apertures where height is harder to gauge.
- Cone collars, harnesses, and similar gear often cause distress, interpreted as interference with whiskers and possibly sound perception.
Behavioral context: predator and prey
- Several link box/slot fascination and hiding behavior to cats being both predators and prey.
- Boxes and high spots are framed as safe observation points.
- Ill or pained cats hiding in confined spaces is noted as a warning sign.
- Comparisons to chickens show similar “predator yet prey” dynamics influencing behavior.
Science, tone, and “clickbait”
- Some celebrate the paper as fun, Ig Nobel–style science and connect it to earlier humorous work on “rheology of cats.”
- Others criticize the playful title (“cats are (almost) liquid”) as clickbait and misleading for serious literature, arguing for more literal titles.
- A counter‑view argues that scientific articles are inherently contextual, not sacred, and playful framing is acceptable in appropriate venues.
Related media and jokes
- Multiple references to cat memes, subreddits, older hoaxes (e.g., “bonsai kittens”), comics, and videos.
- Quantum‑style “two‑slit cat experiment” jokes and wordplay appear, underscoring the thread’s mostly humorous tone.