Curious Kitten Beneath a Giant Leaf

About this drawing

A kitten under a leaf is taking in the world through some very sharp senses, and hearing may be the sharpest of all. Cats can detect high-pitched sounds far beyond what people can hear, including the squeaks that mice use to talk to each other.

Think of their ears as satellite dishes. Each one has about thirty muscles and can swivel on its own to zero in on a noise. A dozing cat can aim one ear at the hallway and another at the kitchen. If someone opens a can, that nap is over right away.

Cats are also excellent at telling exactly where a sound comes from. A hunting cat can pinpoint a mouse behind tall grass just by listening to a tiny rustle, which is a big help when the light is fading.

All that power has a downside. Loud noises such as vacuums, thunder and fireworks can really scare a cat, so it helps to offer a quiet room during a storm or party. Kittens arrive with their ears folded and do not hear much at first, but within a few weeks they react to every small sound. After that, curiosity takes over, and anything that buzzes, rustles or flutters is worth a closer look.

• kitten
• butterfly
• hearing
• nature