Why Do Cats’ Fur Stand Up When They’re Scared?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do cats’ fur stand up when they’re scared?

The Big Idea

A scared cat's fur stands up to make the cat look bigger! Tiny muscles at the base of each hair pull the hair upright. It is a bluff that tells another animal, back off, without a fight.

Muscles Pull

Step one: lift the hairs. At the base of each hair is a tiny muscle. When a cat is frightened, these muscles pull every hair upright at once.

Look Bigger

Step two: puff up. Standing hairs make the cat look much bigger, and an arched back adds to the effect. A larger looking cat can seem more serious to a rival.

Say Back Off

Step three: send the message. The puffed-up body says back off, without any words. That can end a standoff before anyone gets hurt.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! First, the cat feels scared or upset. Tiny muscles squeeze at the hair roots. The fur stands straight up. Now the cat looks much bigger than before.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! People get goosebumps from the very same kind of tiny muscles. The scientific name for this is piloerection. Cats puff their tails the most, and sometimes arch their backs. If a cat looks scared, give it space, and ask a grown-up.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Notice how the hairs on your arm stand up when you feel a cold breeze. Those are the same tiny muscles a cat uses. Look at the little bumps on your skin. What does this tell you about how cats and people are related?

Outro

A puffed-up cat is bluffing to look big. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!