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Post by The Hobbit on Nov 20, 2010 22:49:42 GMT -5
So if he was raising them, why'd he put her in charge of them? Wasn't he watching over them himself, making her leaving them alone a non-issue? Speaking of which, how could she override her instincts like that?
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Silverheart did her duties- she fed them, cleaned them, and they lived. And she always returned.
As for Redclaw, in the start it was about genetics. Silverheart was a tool, to raise the cats. He was reluctant to give up his freedom, but soon found himself liking the kits a bit, and so when she was killed, he stayed.
That's not a motive. Do rats eat kittens?
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I doubt it. But it is a rat, and they are cats. They are not friends, they are enemies. Which is to say, if a rat stumbled upon something it could easily kill, why hesitate? I'm sure even a rat understands that these kittens will grow up. Cats are death, cats are danger. You destroy them.
Our manx was able to walk.
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I never knew they could.
The normal uses of the nose still apply within the enclosure. Here, there aren't trees to climb.
How does her tail give her strange grace?
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Tail is merely a way to say agility. You aren't going to go right out and say Mottledagility.
Like I said, so what?
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And it all goes back to what I said, in one giant circle, doesn't it?
Here's some more on the tom:
The tom is young, hot headed, and with family. They recently slayed a cat that resembled the tom he found creeping near his family during the night. The kits were young, his mate was asleep, and it was his job to protect them. Sure, it was possible that this cat meant no harm, but it resembled one of the tom's he had seen earlier (too much of a resembalance to be coincidental, at least to him) and this was his family. So he did his duty and he attacked. Redclaw fought back.
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Post by Ten on Nov 21, 2010 12:18:12 GMT -5
"Silverheart did her duties- she fed them, cleaned them, and they lived. And she always returned."
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She left them alone when they were at a vulnerable age. Where was she off to and why was it more important to her than her own kits?
"As for Redclaw, in the start it was about genetics."
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And genes don't get passed on if the next generation doesn't survive. What do you mean by "give up his freedom"?
"Which is to say, if a rat stumbled upon something it could easily kill, why hesitate?"
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Parents.
"I'm sure even a rat understands that these kittens will grow up. Cats are death, cats are danger. You destroy them."
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Hadn't occurred to me that rats could think that much.
Do prey kill the young of predators in the wild?
"I never knew they could."
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Yes you did. That the tail is not a necessity for everyday balance, established.
"Tail is merely a way to say agility."
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No, tail is a way to say tail.
How is it used for agility?
"The kits were young, his mate was asleep, and it was his job to protect them."
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Granted. And to be enraged, he must have reason to believe Red is a threat to them. Perhaps he sees Red creeping towards them, yells "Hey!" and Red ignores his warning to get away from the kit -- or he catches Red mid-attack -- or when he sees Red he gets up and blocks his path, then is enraged when Red still tries to get at the kit.
More provocation is what I'm looking for. Just seeing the guy wouldn't be enough to make him furious, although it could make him suspicious.
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Post by The Hobbit on Nov 21, 2010 12:40:10 GMT -5
She left them alone when they were at a vulnerable age. Where was she off to and why was it more important to her than her own kits?
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Mainly trying to find food for herself.
And genes don't get passed on if the next generation doesn't survive. What do you mean by "give up his freedom"?
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True, but there were other females around. By giving up his freedom, I mean he gave up the ability to just wander off whenever he wanted to and return when he felt like it.
Parents.
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Yes. And they were not to be seen.
Hadn't occurred to me that rats could think that much.
Do prey kill the young of predators in the wild?
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I’m fairly certain that adult elephants will stomp on lion cubs. Their young are the prey, the predators are young enough to be killed without them being harmed.
Yes you did. That the tail is not a necessity for everyday balance, established.
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It was sarcasm.
No, tail is a way to say tail.
How is it used for agility?
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I already said that. I'm well aware that a tail is not essential for balance, but it is used for balance. Therefore, -tail is used to help refer to agility as well.
Granted. And to be enraged, he must have reason to believe Red is a threat to them. Perhaps he sees Red creeping towards them, yells "Hey!" and Red ignores his warning to get away from the kit -- or he catches Red mid-attack -- or when he sees Red he gets up and blocks his path, then is enraged when Red still tries to get at the kit.
More provocation is what I'm looking for. Just seeing the guy wouldn't be enough to make him furious, although it could make him suspicious.
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I’m not going to go back and add more, because I don’t think there is any need for more, not for this cat.
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Post by Ten on Nov 21, 2010 12:49:12 GMT -5
"Mainly trying to find food for herself."
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Mainly?
Could the kits walk at this time?
"I mean he gave up the ability to just wander off whenever he wanted to"
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To where?
"I’m fairly certain that adult elephants will stomp on lion cubs."
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I'll buy that. However, the adult rat to baby kitten size ratio doesn't sound like it'd be the same as adult elephant to lion cub.
"It was sarcasm."
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Yes.
"I already said that. I'm well aware that a tail is not essential for balance, but it is used for balance."
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How? That is, in what tasks?
"Therefore, -tail is used to help refer to agility as well."
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Assuming balance and agility are more or less the same thing?
"I’m not going to go back and add more, because I don’t think there is any need for more,"
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Because he's like a bull and the color orange makes him furious?
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Post by The Hobbit on Nov 21, 2010 12:57:17 GMT -5
Mainly?
Could the kits walk at this time?
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No.
To where?
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Anywhere within the enclosure.
I'll buy that. However, the adult rat to baby kitten size ratio doesn't sound like it'd be the same as adult elephant to lion cub.
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No, but I think the fact that the kittens could barely stand would help make it a bit more appealing to the rat to attack.
How? That is, in what tasks?
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When the outdoor cats under my grandma’s porch jump and land wrong, they do wave their tails to help them gain balance. When fighting, cats may jump, and move their tails to not only help them convey irritation or other emotions, but to help them remain standing and be able to perform tricky maneuvers.
Assuming balance and agility are more or less the same thing?
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I would assume balance plays into agility.
Because he's like a bull and the color orange makes him furious?
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It’s red.
But no. Because of what I said earlier.
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Post by Ten on Nov 21, 2010 13:52:44 GMT -5
"No."
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And she didn't bother to make sure they were safe?
How was she able to override her instincts like that?
"Anywhere within the enclosure."
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What's so alluring about that?
"to help them remain standing"
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Manxes can stand.
"and be able to perform tricky maneuvers."
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Such as?
"I would assume balance plays into agility"
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but is not the whole of it.
"It’s red."
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His fur is crimson?
"Because of what I said earlier."
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He attacked because he's young? There are young cats who don't attack at random.
He attacked because he's hot-headed? Nothing set him off.
He attacked because he has a family? Having a family doesn't set off a cat either.
What is his provocation?
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Post by The Hobbit on Nov 21, 2010 13:58:14 GMT -5
And she didn't bother to make sure they were safe?
How was she able to override her instincts like that?
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She did her job, like I said, and primarily left to find food. I’ve seen plenty of she-cats leave their kits to find food and the like.
What's so alluring about that?
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He chooses where to go, with no one stepping on his tail.
Manxes can stand.
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I always thought Buster wasn’t that special.
Such as?
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Anything that would involve jumping, twisting, etc.
but is not the whole of it.
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No, it isn’t.
His fur is crimson?
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No.
Bulls attack red, though.
He attacked because he's young? There are young cats who don't attack at random.
He attacked because he's hot-headed? Nothing set him off.
He attacked because he has a family? Having a family doesn't set off a cat either.
What is his provocation?
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Yes, there are young cats that don’t do so. But in my mind this tom is not one of them. I think having a family would make a cat more jumpy and quick to attack.
And to address the name:
Agility;
–noun
1. the power of moving quickly and easily; nimbleness: exercises demanding agility.
2. the ability to think and draw conclusions quickly; intellectual acuity.
The first definition would apply to Mottledtail. To move quickly, you'll need a degree of balance, and to do so with ease you'll need an even higher degree.
Does My Cat Need a Tail?
Cats have tails to help aid them in balancing during a fast get away or a tricky jump or maneuver. Their tails offer a counter weight when needed. If a cat has an accident which costs him his tail, his balance may be off a little until he adjusts to its absence. Some cats such as Manx cats, do not have tails. Manx cats originated from the Isle of Man, where there was a small "gene pool", which is generally believed to be the cause of the tailless breed. Not all Manx cats are tailless. There are rumpies (no tail at all), stumpies (a small nub of a tail), rumpy risers (a tiny vestigial tail), and Manx's with full tails. Their back legs are generally taller than other cat breeds, giving them a signature "rabbity" gait. Breeding is always done between a tailed Manx and a non-tailed Manx.
(http://www.willasark.com/catanatomy.cfm)
• Good jumper due to powerful hind quarters and they like high vantage points. The tail is a balancing tool so without one the strong hind legs compensate1.
(http://www.pictures-of-cats.org/manx-cats.html)
(Most websites mention something about the Manx having different hind quarters, in terms of build, than other cats.)
The tail is an organ of balance, a rudder/counterbalance for maneuvering at high speed and a means of communication.
(http://www.messybeast.com/cat_talk2.htm)
Agility is also the power of moving quickly, therefore, when the tail on a cat without the build of a Manx or similar breed, is used to help balance the animal and assist them when maneuvering at high speed, it does become tied into agility.
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Post by Ten on Nov 23, 2010 23:15:45 GMT -5
"She did her job, like I said, and primarily left to find food. I’ve seen plenty of she-cats leave their kits to find food and the like." -- Where were their kits? "He chooses where to go, with no one stepping on his tail." -- Why does he care if kits step on his tail? They're not heavy at that age, are they? Besides, even with that being metaphorical, what's so alluring about being able to walk around the enclosure? "Anything that would involve jumping, twisting, etc." -- Tails play a part in that? hm. How so? What would involve that (the twisting/jumping)? I know cats twist around some in fights, but it's nothing that involves tails, is it? "No. Bulls attack red, though." -- Looks like my analogy didn't go through again. "Yes, there are young cats that don’t do so. But in my mind this tom is not one of them. I think having a family would make a cat more jumpy and quick to attack." -- Quick to attack anyone on sight? I think that's more like psychotic than because he has a family. "To move quickly, you'll need a degree of balance, and to do so with ease you'll need an even higher degree." -- Agility is about how nimble you are. Balance is only an ingredient. For agility, you might use a suffix such as stream, for her fluid stream of movement. "The tail is an organ of balance, a rudder/counterbalance for maneuvering at high speed" -- Interesting. I've never heard it described that way. I figured a tail worked the way we hold out our hands to balance. Just for walking across a narrow space, like a tree branch. This is saying it also helps on sharp turns? By the way, sorry for taking a while. If I don't post as quick as you'd like, you can berate me later and ask others to help in the meantime.  |
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Post by The Hobbit on Nov 24, 2010 8:08:48 GMT -5
Where were their kits?
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Where she left them, in the “nest” area.
Why does he care if kits step on his tail?
They're not heavy at that age, are they?
Besides, even with that being metaphorical, what's so alluring about being able to walk around the enclosure?
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What I just said; being able to be alone and at least go where he wants, even if the space is limited.
Tails play a part in that? hm. How so?
What would involve that (the twisting/jumping)?
I know cats twist around some in fights, but it's nothing that involves tails, is it?
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Ever seen a cat when it falls?
Looks like my analogy didn't go through again.
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Oh, it did, I just choose to ignore it.
Quick to attack anyone on sight?
I think that's more like psychotic than because he has a family.
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Think what you like.
Agility is about how nimble you are.
Balance is only an ingredient.
For agility, you might use a suffix such as stream, for her fluid stream of movement.
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I never said balance was the whole makeup of agility. For Mottledtail, -steam would be a horrid suffix.
Interesting. I've never heard it described that way.
I figured a tail worked the way we hold out our hands to balance.
Just for walking across a narrow space, like a tree branch.
This is saying it also helps on sharp turns?
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It says the tail helps when one is moving at high speed.
So, if one is moving at a high speed, then that is what it is saying. But you can make sharp turns without really moving at high speeds; my animal has to do them all the time in agility and he's slow as heck.
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Post by Ten on Nov 24, 2010 10:31:50 GMT -5
"Where she left them, in the 'nest' area."
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What's that?
...We're talking about the real kittens, right?
"What I just said; being able to be alone and at least go where he wants, even if the space is limited."
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So I'm asking why he wants it and you keep telling me what it is.
hm.
Come back to this later?
"Ever seen a cat when it falls?"
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Yep. Did Mottledpaw try climbing the walls, then?
"Think what you like."
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What was wrong with him?
"It says the tail helps when one is moving at high speed."
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Sharp turns at high speeds is what I was meaning, of course.
I don't imagine they'd be of any use at high-speed straights. Would they?
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