logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2022
6m 42s

Will Cats Sit In Imaginary Boxes?

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

It is known that housecats will sit in any box available, large or small -- but science set out to determine whether cats can perceive (and will sit in) illusory boxes as well. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/cats-in-squares-study-news.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Jan 1
How Do Search-And-Rescue Dogs Work?
When every minute counts, search-and-rescue dogs can help locate disaster victims far faster than humans alone. Learn about how they're trained in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/sar-dog.htm/printableSee omnystudio ... Show More
10m 53s
Dec 31
BrainStuff Classics: Why Do We Drop a Ball on New Year's Eve?
The tradition of dropping a ball in Times Square to mark the beginning of a new year only goes back about a century. Learn about the history -- plus four weird things that other cities drop instead -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i ... Show More
5m 18s
Dec 30
Can You Really Die of Boredom?
No, you can't literally die of boredom -- but it can lead to some high-risk behaviors. Learn more about boredom, ennui, and how to shake them in this episode of BrainStuff, based on these articles: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/bored-to-death.htm ... Show More
8m 17s
Recommended Episodes
May 2021
Comfort in the Box: Human Edition
Why do cats like to sit in boxes? Why did humans use box-beds and are enclosed wooden beds really making a comeback? In this Stuff to Blow Your Mind two-parter, Robert and Joe explore the mystery of the box. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com ... Show More
1h 11m
Apr 2016
Our cats episode - right here, right meow
<p>Cats are the most popular pet in the United States, despite the fact that we've only been keeping them indoors for 50-60 years. Learn about more cat facts in today's episode.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https:/ ... Show More
56m 4s
Feb 2024
What’s going on inside your cat’s head? With Kristyn Vitale, PhD
Cats have long had a reputation as standoffish pets, but many cat owners will tell you that the cat-human bond can run deep. Cat psychologist Kristyn Vitale, PhD, talks about new research on cats’ cognitive and social abilities; why cats really are as emotionally attached to us a ... Show More
31m 54s
Aug 2020
SYSK Choice: The Quirkiness of Genius & How Cats Work
TV networks manipulate programs to make more time for commercials – a LOT more time. I’ll discuss that and you might want to watch this YouTube video that demonstrates just how it works. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6i1VVikRu0. And here is the source for this ... Show More
43m 48s
Nov 2021
Would my cat survive in the wild?
<p>Cats started hanging out with humans thousands of years ago, and nowadays these fluffy, lovable pets are found in many of our homes. But there is no doubt lots of them still have keen hunting instincts - witness all the birds and small mammals they kill each year.</p><p>CrowdS ... Show More
30m 39s
Sep 2022
Ep 31: How to better understand your cat
<p>We've lived side-by-side with domestic cats for thousands of years, yet they maintain an aura of mystery and a reputation for aloofness and even outright disdain for humans. But are cats really so enigmatic – or are we only just beginning to understand them?</p> <p>In this epi ... Show More
22m 9s
Jun 2020
Do animals have consciousness?
<p>What exactly it means to be conscious has long been a question of profound debate amongst philosophers, and more recently, scientists. There are no easy answers, and it gets even trickier when you start asking whether animals are conscious: how can you find out about their sub ... Show More
36m 43s
Oct 2016
Why do Cats Have Vertical Pupils?
Why do cats have vertical pupils? Do clouds defy gravity? What is the brain basis of road rage? The Naked Scientists team tackle these and many more science questions, with help from an all-star guest panel. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists 
55m 30s
Mar 2021
Killer Kitties
Realising your pet cat has brought home a 'gift' or perhaps a snack they plan to eat in front of you is never pleasant. Many owners will scramble to intercept and release the poor prey but that may be too little, too late. Cats have been blamed for an estimated 100million wildlif ... Show More
27m 53s
Feb 2021
Why are cats afraid of cucumbers?
If you have a cat you may have seen this strange but hilarious reaction. House cats seem to have an irrational fear of the ever-threatening cucumber. When this common vegetable is placed next to a cat or they discover it by happenstance, they’ll often leap in the air in startleme ... Show More
2m 16s