Obviously the differences in anatomy and physiology of the eye have helped to shape feline behavior. For example, the higher density of S cones in the nocturnal feline eye have helped this felines to see prey without light and thus are able to hunt at night. Also, the third eyelid helps to protect the eye by acting like a windshield wiper and removing debris from the surface. Thus it helps the feline while hunting, allowing them to keep their eyes open while staying hidden beneath marshes (Warrant, 2004).

Image courtesy of www.care2.com


However, due to deforestation and the continual threat of wild felid habitats, many felines have had to alter certain aspects of their behavior. For example, some leopards (a nocturnal feline) have begun doing hunting during the day. Due to the continual loss of their natural habitats, there has been a decrease in the availability of their usual prey. Thus the leopard has had to change its behavior in order to have a wider time range to find prey (Grassman et al., 2005). However, the threat to these habitats is moving so quickly that many felines are becoming endangered rapidly. They cannot change their behaviors at a rate fast enough to survive this destruction.

Questions or Comments? Please e-mail me at mirogers@davidson.edu