Science Magazine Podcast
Scientific evidence that cats are liquids, and when ants started their fungus farms
Oct 3, 2024
David Grimm, an online editor, dives into the curious self-perception of cats, investigating whether they really think of themselves as liquids. Hilarity ensues as he shares anecdotes about their impressive flexibility. Joining him, Ted Schultz, a research entomologist, discusses the incredible history of ant-fungus farming that emerged around 66 million years ago during ecological crises. This fascinating symbiosis reveals how ants adapted to survive by cultivating fungi, offering insights into non-human agricultural practices.
28:40
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Quick takeaways
- Research indicates that cats possess a limited self-awareness concerning their body size, primarily focusing on height rather than width when navigating spaces.
- The evolution of ant-fungus farming illustrates a significant adaptive response to environmental changes, leading to complex agricultural relationships and selective cultivation over millions of years.
Deep dives
Cats and Body Awareness
Research highlights the concept of body size awareness in cats, which reflects how they perceive their physical dimensions. Unlike humans, who have a clear understanding of their body size through visual self-recognition, it remains unclear how cats gauge their own proportions. Experiments reveal that while cats can identify if they fit through narrow openings based on height, they show less concern for their width due to their flexible anatomy. This suggests that cats possess a limited form of self-awareness, only regarding certain dimensions when navigating their environment.
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