Watching a sleeping furry pet, many notice an amazing feature: the cat's tail seems to live its own life, twitching and wriggling in time with unknown dreams.
The mesmerizing tail dance in sleep hides many interesting physiological and behavioral features.
Cats' sleep is divided into two main phases. In the superficial phase, the brain continues to work actively, processing information from the past day.
The deep phase is characterized by complete relaxation of the muscles; it is during this period that vivid dreams begin, accompanied by tail movements.
Tail twitching is often associated with hunting dreams.
The natural instincts of a predator are so strong that even in a dream a cat can pursue imaginary prey.
Sharp tail flaps signal moments of tension in pursuit of invisible prey.
Smooth movements of the tail may indicate pleasant dreams.
When a cat dreams of something positive, such as playing or being caressed by its owner, its tail makes soft, wave-like movements.
Sharp twitching often indicates disturbing moments in dreams.
During deep sleep, the brain sends signals to muscles, which respond to commands with involuntary contractions.
The tail is particularly sensitive to such impulses due to the high concentration of nerve endings and the mobility of the vertebrae.
Rapid eye movements under closed eyelids are often accompanied by tail activity. During this period, the cat sees the most vivid dreams, and tail movements reflect the emotional coloring of dreams.
Body temperature regulation also influences tail position during sleep.
In cool weather, a cat may curl its tail around itself to provide additional warmth. In hot weather, the tail is usually extended and may tremble slightly to cool itself.
The nature of tail movements during sleep may vary among different cats.
Active and playful pets often exhibit vigorous movements, while calm animals show less mobility even when sleeping.
