ADVERTISEMENT

Penguins live almost exclusively below the equator. And while some of these flightless seabirds can be found in warmer climates, most—including emperor, adélie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins—spend their lives in and around Antarctica. A continent separated from the rest of the world by water. Not really a place where cats would choose to go to.

And yet, despite the fact that cats don't spend their vacation in the icy south, somehow they still have been influenced by penguins. So much so that some even started to adopt their way of like, walking and standing and sitting like the exceptional birds!

Certified feline behavior and training consultant, Dr. Marci Koski, said that cats are incredibly flexible and agile animals, which makes them simply beautiful to observe, whether they are running and jumping, or slinking low to the ground to stalk a potential prey item or toy. "One of the reasons for this flexibility is their spine; it acts almost like a spring so that they can crouch and leap long distances, or twist their bodies around much more than most mammals," Dr. Koski told Bored Panda.

According to her, most cats can stand on their hind legs, as long as they have two of them. Interestingly, the tail also helps aid with balance and may assist with this posture, but even cats without tails can stand on their hind legs.

Dr. Koski said there are a few reasons why cats may stand on their hind legs. "First, standing up gives them a little bit of a boost in their view from a different height or angle; cats are curious by nature, so when they hear a noise or see something from a distance they might want to get a better look at, they will sometimes stand on their hind legs to get a better look."

ADVERTISEMENT

Next, standing on their hind legs can help a cat look larger; this is a survival tactic that cats use to intimidate or fake-out aggressors and predators. "It's better to scare an opponent off than have to fight them. They may stand up on their hind legs, stand sideways on all fours, arch their back, and fluff out the fur on their bodies (called piloerection), all in an effort to tell an opponent 'you don't want to mess with me'."

#3

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

toastedfingies Report

Add photo comments
POST
Perfumista Perfumista
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm telling you guys, we stand like this long enough and they'll start throwing us fish

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

"Lastly, cats will stand on their hind legs for treats, petting, or attention when they want something. I personally think they know how cute they look when they do this, since my cats never fail to get rewarded when they perform this action with me (they've got me trained very well)."

OK, maybe my penguin theory isn't backed up by scientific research, but at least me and Dr. Koski agree on one thing -- these kitties look absolutely adorable.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#11

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Raine Soo
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can't see me. I am one with the wall. You can't see me.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#13

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Juniper
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its Bruno. He was adopted and lost a ton of weight already :)

View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lillukka79
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like he's giving you the middle finger with that death stare.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

Report

Add photo comments
POST
danielw
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I dunno why, but i feel like this cat needs a hug. Also, maybe, a belly rub? do cat's like belly rubs?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#21

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

mrbatmancat Report

Add photo comments
POST
Mark
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like it is saying "what, what do you want now?"

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#31

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#32

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Miss Cris
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rateta, rateta, tu que ets tan boniqueta: et voldries casar amb mi que sóc tan bon fadrí?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#37

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
sbj
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I is not going to knock over the Christmas tree hooman! "cos I is a penguin and not a cat

#38

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#39

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#40

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
sbj
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stupidly, at first glance I thought the kitty was dressed in PJ's HaHa!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#41

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

samiam026 Report

Add photo comments
POST
sbj
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whens the takeaway gonna get here? It's been like 5 minutes since you ordered Hooman!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#43

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#44

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

miandtito Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#49

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

Snufffaluffaguss Report

Add photo comments
POST
#50

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

Bingu21 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#51

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#54

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#57

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#58

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#60

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#61

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

axel8777 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#62

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#63

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#64

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#65

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#66

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#67

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

deltapilot97 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#68

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

Shaleby Report

Add photo comments
POST
sbj
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

""I don't believe it, she really said that to you, that's just rude''

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#69

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

MrNeffery Report

Add photo comments
POST
#71

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

kumatonoseikatsu Report

Add photo comments
POST
#72

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#73

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
sbj
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think I can keep up this pose for much longer hooman, take the damn photo now!

#74

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#75

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

SwiftPanda101 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#76

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

3amz Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#78

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

PlumbumGus Report

#79

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#80

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#83

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#84

Cats-Standing-Like-Penguins

lid-vicious Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda