The Vocal Warning: A Tabby-and-white Cat

With its ears pinned back and teeth exposed, this domestic feline is a tabby-and-white cat communicating a clear warning. The…

With its ears pinned back and teeth exposed, this domestic feline is a tabby-and-white cat communicating a clear warning. The animal's mouth is wide open in what appears to be a hiss or growl, revealing the sharp fangs and incisors that mark its predatory nature. Its wide, intense green eyes are fixed in a stare of pure defiance. A curious detail is the blade of green grass held between its teeth, a juxtaposition of a common feline behavior with a powerful defensive display. This combination of flattened ears, an open mouth, and a direct gaze is a universally understood form of feline communication, indicating a creature that is feeling threatened and is ready to defend itself.