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VARIABLES IN THE ONTOGENY OF PREDATORY ATTACK IN THE CAT

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Date Issued:
1980
Summary:
An analysis of the variables influencing the ontogeny of predatory attack in the cat was undertaken. Three stages of development were delineated. In Stage I, no interest was shown in the mouse. In Stage II, pursuit, swiping, and bite attempts occured sporadically, but an integrated pattern of attack was not observed. In Stage III, attack was more persistent but remained inefficient, and included both components of approach (visual tracking, approach of the whole body, seizing with the forepaw, and biting) and withdrawal (retraction of head and upper torso, swiping). The latter appeared to produce a "playful" style of attack and to inhibit killing. The role of hunger and movement of the mouse were also evaluated. Latencies to bite were faster when the kitten was food deprived or when given a dead mouse. The latter finding suggests that inefficient "playful" attack is elicited by specific stimulus properties of the prey, rather than being a reflection of a playful "mood."
Title: VARIABLES IN THE ONTOGENY OF PREDATORY ATTACK IN THE CAT.
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Name(s): SLYKER, JONATHAN PAUL.
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 1980
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 58 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: An analysis of the variables influencing the ontogeny of predatory attack in the cat was undertaken. Three stages of development were delineated. In Stage I, no interest was shown in the mouse. In Stage II, pursuit, swiping, and bite attempts occured sporadically, but an integrated pattern of attack was not observed. In Stage III, attack was more persistent but remained inefficient, and included both components of approach (visual tracking, approach of the whole body, seizing with the forepaw, and biting) and withdrawal (retraction of head and upper torso, swiping). The latter appeared to produce a "playful" style of attack and to inhibit killing. The role of hunger and movement of the mouse were also evaluated. Latencies to bite were faster when the kitten was food deprived or when given a dead mouse. The latter finding suggests that inefficient "playful" attack is elicited by specific stimulus properties of the prey, rather than being a reflection of a playful "mood."
Identifier: 13999 (digitool), FADT13999 (IID), fau:10821 (fedora)
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1980.
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Subject(s): Cats
Animal behavior
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13999
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
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Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.