If it is in cover it will freeze at the slightest smell, sound or movement that suggests danger or quarry and focus its senses to give the best possible information on its cause. Stealthily it will investigate the situation further, often following a roundabout route to ensure that it is undetected. It will move in short, sharp bursts with its body kept close to the ground, unless it knows itself to be behind good cover. As it approaches its quarry it will conceal itself as much as possible, moving slowly and pausing frequently to check the situation. Taking up position ready to attack, a tremor will run through it as it prepares every muscle-all quickly stilled if the moment is unpropitious or frozen into concentration the instant before it springs. Then,suddenly, it will pounce with outstretched paws, teeth and claws grasping the creature at the same time. Mice and other small rodents form the greater part of the cat's prey, although other mammals, birds, reptiles and even garbage are also eaten. Rather more unusual, in view of the widely held belief that cats do not like water, are those cats who have taught themselves to fish. There are many recorded cases of cats having learned to scoop fish out of ponds and shallow streams with their paws. Some cats have been reported to dangle the tip of their tail in the water to act as a lure for the fish.
Almost all cats seem to be partial to insects-especially grasshoppers when they are available, although a surfeit can make them sick. Flies too are easy meat.As a cat concentrates on a fly which has settled upon the window pane it will often let out an involuntary chatter like a machine-gun rattle-a noise also made at birds, particularly if they are not accessible. Is this sound the expression of excitement that cannot be contained, a sportsmanlike challenge or simply an explosion of frustration at the creature being out of reach? Perhaps all three-and a warning for the prey as well! Although cats reared together will learn to share their home, they nevertheless have strong feelings about territory and will resent any encroachment by an outsider.
Even among themselves a dominance pattern will usually emerge which is most evident in appropriation of sleeping places and the maintenance of feeding privileges. Out of doors,although the cat does not rely upon the prey within a certain area, it nevertheless lays claim to its own territory, even if it is restricted to a garden or back yard, and will not happily tolerate intrusion unless deference is paid to its proprietorship. These territorial limits, usually marked by spraying urine-although a pet trained to a litter tray may not do this-can be very rigid. A cat may accept another on the garden wall or on a common path through the shrubbery, but will chase it out if it dares to go a step beyond. Human territories are far more difficult to establish. How do you prevent a cat from, for example, going up stairs, sitting on a particular chair or jumping on the table. Humans do not consciously mark forbidden territory with their smell, but token "defence" or repulsion from a certain place will have its effect for future occasions when you are present. Like all animals cats have patterns of behaviour to prevent violence, adopting aggressive warning action or submissive postures, according to the circumstances, and they will often adopt these when faced with a human challenge as much as with another animal.
