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Cats "Exploit" Humans By Purring

Posted by kdawson on from the frequently-mistaken-for-a-meatloaf dept.

An anonymous reader notes a BBC report on research recently published in the journal Current Biology, indicating that cats manipulate humans by adding a baby-like cry to their purring. "Cat owners may have suspected as much, but it seems our feline friends have found a way to manipulate us humans. Researchers at the University of Sussex have discovered that cats use a 'soliciting purr' to overpower their owners and garner attention and food. Unlike regular purring, this sound incorporates a 'cry,' with a similar frequency to a human baby's. The team said cats have 'tapped into' a human bias — producing a sound that humans find very difficult to ignore."

3 of 503 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Evolution or Intelligent Design? by Opportunist · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    DON'T LISTEN TO THAT GUY!

    Last time I did that I went from my manager's office walking funny. You don't want the details.

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  2. slashdot meme by cephus · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Let's see ... what's the slashdot meme for situations like this ...

    In Soviet Russia, cats ... no

    I for one welcome our new cat ... no

    4) Profit ... no

    Oh, I remember now ... Water is wet, film at 11.

  3. In response to your sig. by DigitalReverend · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    In Soviet Russia, the government controls the commerce.

    Strange, just recently, here in the U.S. it has become that way as well.

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    I read Slashdot for the headlines, because the headlines, unlike the articles, are usually original and never duplicated