Cat Tails
Dear  [Lynn],
That was truly remarkable writing on the [cat] tails. Basically, you’ve given lots of ways that humans might interpret tail language. But how does it play in nature? Do the various tail signals tell other animals to stay away or invite them to visit? Do you think the cat purposefully and willfully uses its tail to convey these things? Or is the expression simply a byproduct of the cat’s emotions? For instance, us humans often sweat when afraid or hot. We do not voluntarily sweat. It’s a reaction to our being hot or scared. On the other hand, some of us act quite voluntarily when angry – we yell, throw things, be silent, Etc. to express anger. Some of what happens externally on or via the human body is done voluntarily for the purpose of expression or communication, while others are automatic reactions to stimuli. What, if any willful communicative actions would you think that the cat does with its tail?
Later.
Tom