Shandong Lion Cat

　　Different animals communicate in different ways. For example, dogs use body language and sounds, bats use sonar to catch prey, and pigs are severely nearsighted so they mainly rely on scent to recognize their young. So what kind of language do cats have?

　　Usually, one type of body language many animals show when they are scared is to curl their bodies to appear much smaller than they really are. When they want to scare others, they arch their bodies to look much bigger. For example, when a cat feels fearful, it will crouch on the ground and curl its body tightly; even its ears will droop, making it appear much smaller than it really is, as if to convey: "I am a very small and weak cat. I know you are very powerful, so please don’t attack me."

　　Conversely, if it wants to intimidate others, it will arch its body to look very large and strong, as if to say: "If I strike, I will show you! So don’t come over and provoke me." At that time, the cat will support itself with its paws on the ground, arch its back into a curve, raise every hair, and even raise its tail. We may think this shows the cat is "angry," but more precisely, it is issuing a threat: "If you come any closer, I will attack you." That is to say, as long as you do not approach it further, you will not be attacked.

　　Whether it is the fearful posture or the intimidation posture, both convey a message of "Do not attack." The difference is whether it is in a timid state or a strong state. By conveying the degree of timidity or strength, they decide the outcome. Unless both parties are in a very strong state, fights will not happen.

　　Animals try to avoid fights as much as possible because they know that frequent fighting only increases the risk of death.

　　Like this, using body language to determine winners and losers and avoid fighting is common to all animals. The "reckless" approach is limited to humans. (Source：PetsZone)