Animal Friends and Helpers [ 14') 



SEEING IN THE DARK 



The ability of cats to see well in the dark long ago gave 

 them a touch of the macabre: People came to associate them with 

 the nighttime activities of witches and hobgoblins, particularly 

 on Halloween. Because of this reputation, children are especially 

 interested to know just how cats' eyes function. 



Back of the eye is a reflecting surface which catches and reflects 

 any available bit of light. The resulting glow enables the cat to 

 see in situations where our eyes are inadequate. The startling 

 green glare given off by a cat's eyes is due to this reflection, its 

 eye being almost completely covered by the pupil. During the 

 day the pupil is narrowed down to a mere slit. In adult cats the 

 iris is usually yellow; in kittens it may be blue or green. 



SENSITIVE FEELERS 



Cats, like dogs, have moist noses, and their senses of smell 

 and hearing are keen. The hairs in a cat's ears, far from being 

 obstructions, are sensitive aids in catching sounds. Cats can de- 

 tect vibrations beyond the range of the human ear. They are 

 often critical of musical performances, removing themselves as 

 far as possible from shrill radio music or singing practice in the 

 home. 



The hairs on a cat's face its whiskers are also valuable as 

 "feelers." A set of whiskers contains between twenty-five and 

 thirty hairs. If you look at them closely, you will note that they 

 are set in four lines above and at the sides of the mouth, where 

 they are connected to sensitive nerves. Feelers are useful to 

 hunters, especially night hunters, as Pussy is when in its natural 

 state; the hairs supply information about the underbrush or other 

 terrain through which the animal is moving. 



THE CAT AS A HUNTER 



Stalking and pouncing on prey come as naturally to a cat 

 as breathing. Where the dog uses sheer power and speed, the cat 

 resorts to stealth and cunning. Having discovered the haunts of a 

 possible victim, the cat crouches motionless until the right instant 

 to spring. The weight of the marauder's body knocks down the 



