Cat Spying on a Koi Pond

About this drawing

Minutes can go by while a cat watching koi fish stays frozen, following every flick of a tail. That may seem strange for an animal famous for hating water, but the truth is a bit more complicated. Most cats avoid getting soaked, yet plenty of them are fascinated by water.

Their coat explains a lot. House cats have fur that holds on to moisture, so a good soaking leaves them heavy, chilly and slow to dry. Their ancestors also lived in dry places, with little reason to swim. No wonder a forced bath goes over so badly.

Moving water is another matter. Ripples, reflections and darting fish all set off the hunting instinct, and some cats will dip in a paw with impressive aim. A few breeds even have a reputation for enjoying it. The Turkish Van is well known for splashing around, and many Maine Coons will happily play at a dripping faucet.

People with backyard ponds sometimes worry about these visits, although a full-grown koi is usually too big for a cat to catch. These colorful fish were developed in Japan from common carp, and they can grow to an impressive size. Deep edges and tall plants give them places to hide. Most of the time, the cat simply settles in for a long session of fish TV.

• cat
• koi pond
• fish
• nature