The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat–human communication (2020)

Re:The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat–human comm... by sph on Wednesday May 31, 2023 @02:31PM (#36141985)

I have always wondered that about eyes in general: I'm not sure if I'm daft or not, but it seems surprising to me that animals with any intelligence look at us in the eyes.

Why fixate on the face and not, say, our hands or body, if they might be afraid of us, to determine if we are a threat? Eyes must provide a higher signal of intent, so it's surprising that even animals on a much lower level of intelligence can read our facial expressions.

I'm not sure if it's a good or a stupid question.

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Re:The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat–human comm... by solarmist on Wednesday May 31, 2023 @02:40PM (#36142150)

It's not a stupid question. It's a matter of stages of engagement.

The face and eyes indicate intention. You can't successfully track or kill without focusing your full attention on the object, and the easiest way to detect this is by seeing where the eyes are focused.

Once a threat is determined, then focus moves to other body parts.

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