But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
Episode: Are Wild Cats Afraid of Water?
Release Date: January 10, 2025
Host: Jane Lindholm
Guest: Emily Carollo, Wildlife Biologist at Panthera
Produced by: Vermont Public

Introduction

In this engaging episode of But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids, host Jane Lindholm teams up with wildlife biologist Emily Carollo from Panthera to delve into the fascinating world of wild cats. Set against the backdrop of Vermont's Breadloaf Wilderness Area, the episode explores the behaviors, habitats, and unique characteristics of various wild cat species, addressing questions submitted by young listeners.

Exploring the Breadloaf Wilderness Area

The episode kicks off with Jane and her co-host Melody meeting Emily to embark on a hike through the Breadloaf Wilderness Area, part of the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont. Emily explains the significance of the area for wild cats and highlights the importance of understanding animal signs to learn more about these elusive creatures.

Emily Carollo [02:22]: "So right now we are in the state of Vermont. We are in a wilderness area called Breadloaf Wilderness Area... we're heading up part of the long trail to go check out some animal sign that I found a couple days ago with a colleague of mine and talk about it."

Understanding Wild Cats in North America

Emily provides an overview of wild cat species native to North America, including bobcats, Canadian lynx, and mountain lions (also known as cougars or pumas). She emphasizes the elusiveness of these cats and the importance of their habitats in sustaining their populations.

Emily Carollo [02:35]: "So that includes our small cat species, some of which we find in North America, like our lynx and our bobcat and some of our larger cat species... North American example would be our mountain lions."

Prey-Predator Relationships

The discussion moves to the relationship between wild cats and their prey. Emily explains how observing signs of animals like deer can provide insights into the presence and behavior of predators.

Emily Carollo [05:07]: "These animals all coexist with each other... For example, sort of known that Canadian lynx in North America... their populations will show ebbs and flows that coincide with hare populations."

Interactive Q&A: Questions from Young Listeners

Throughout the episode, Emily addresses a variety of questions submitted by kids, offering detailed and age-appropriate explanations.

1. How Many Species of Cats Are There?

Benny [09:03]: "How many species of cats are there?"

Emily Carollo [09:15]: "40 wild cat species, and then there's obviously the domestic cat species, which makes it 41 total... Typically, the big five cats that we include are tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, and jaguars."

2. Evolution of Domestic Cats

Jack [11:09]: "How did the cat that we keep in our house evolve from something like a lion or a tiger?"

Emily Carollo [11:24]: "The evolution of domestic animals is really a super cool process... over time, people started to recognize... these small wild cats became more trusting... leading to the domestication of our domestic cat species."

3. Why Are Big Cats Called Big Cats?

Quinn [12:40]: "Why are tigers, lions, and jaguars called big cats?"

Emily Carollo [13:04]: "Yeah. So they're all big... they're big for sure... they're in a group called Panthera... similar evolutionary processes that they're part of the same evolutionary tree."

4. Adaptability of Cats to Different Environments

Vera [13:58]: "Why can cats live in different places, like the desert or rainforest?"

Emily Carollo [14:21]: "The process of wildlife being able to adapt to the spaces that they're living in... specialists like snow leopards are well adapted to specific environments, whereas generalist species like mountain lions can thrive in various landscapes."

5. Do Tigers Bury Their Poop?

Nico [15:56]: "Do tigers bury their poop?"

Emily Carollo [16:03]: "Big cats tend not to really bury their poop... they do a behavior called a scrape... it’s a way of marking territory and communicating with other cats."

6. Why Do Cats Chase Mice?

Geico, Michael [17:03]: "Why do cats chase mice?"

Emily Carollo [17:15]: "There are two reasons... food and play. They hunt rodents for sustenance and engage in play to develop hunting skills essential for survival."

7. Do Cats Eat Squirrels and Snakes?

Autumn & Jack [18:22]: "Do cats eat squirrels? Why do some cats eat snakes?"

Emily Carollo [18:37]: "Cats eat a variety of prey... domestic cats may eat squirrels, and species like sand cats eat snakes as part of their diverse diet."

8. Are Wild Cats Afraid of Water?

May, Olivia, Valerie, Frankie, Cora [20:58]: "Why do many cats hate water?"

Emily Carollo [22:03]: "Some cats, like tigers, enjoy water and are proficient swimmers, while others, including many domestic cats, generally prefer to avoid it. It often depends on their evolutionary adaptations and personal preferences."

9. Why Do Cat Eyes Glow in the Dark?

Iris [23:04]: "Why do cat's eyes glow in the dark?"

Emily Carollo [23:24]: "They have a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum, which helps them see better in low light by reflecting light back into their eyes."

10. Do Cats Have Their Own Language?

Jack [24:01]: "Do cats have their own language and can talk to each other?"

Emily Carollo [24:19]: "Yes, cats communicate vocally, through body language, and using scent. They use various sounds, body movements, and scent markings to convey messages."

11. Who Can Roar and Who Can Purr?

Ronan [25:46]: "Why can some cats roar and why can some purr?"

Emily Carollo [26:01]: "Species that can roar include lions, leopards, jaguars, and tigers. These cats cannot purr. Conversely, cats that cannot roar can purr."

12. How to Gain a Cat's Trust

Jasper [26:23]: "What are some ways to get a cat to trust you?"

Emily Carollo [27:00]: "For domestic cats, feeding them and providing positive experiences can help build trust. It’s important to respect animals’ space and allow them to approach you on their own terms."

Mountain Lions in the Northeast: Possibility of Reintroduction

Emily shares insights into the potential reintroduction of mountain lions to the northeastern United States. She discusses the ecological roles these large predators play and the challenges associated with their natural recolonization. Emily also touches on past reintroduction efforts for other species in the Northeast, highlighting both successes and ongoing projects.

Emily Carollo [29:07]: "One of the projects that I'm working on is looking at trying to see if wild mountain lions can come back to the eastern United States... it's also not new to the Northeast."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Jane inviting listeners to submit their questions and promoting additional content available on YouTube. Emily emphasizes the importance of respecting wildlife and maintaining the elusive nature of wild cats to ensure their safety and conservation.

Jane Lindholm [32:15]: "But it's pretty cool to walk through the same woods that mountain lions once called home and imagine these large predators may be coming back someday."

Key Takeaways

• Diversity of Wild Cats: There are 41 species of wild and domestic cats, each adapted to different environments.
• Behavior and Communication: Wild cats communicate through vocalizations, body language, and scent markings.
• Ecological Importance: Predators like mountain lions play crucial roles in maintaining balanced ecosystems.
• Conservation Efforts: Reintroduction of species can help restore ecological balance but requires careful planning and community involvement.
• Curiosity Encouraged: The podcast encourages young listeners to stay curious and continue exploring the natural world.

Notable Quotes

• Emily Carollo [11:24]: "Over time... that eventually led to the domestication of this small cat species."
• Emily Carollo [17:15]: "They hunt rodents for sustenance and engage in play to develop hunting skills essential for survival."
• Emily Carollo [22:03]: "Some cats, like tigers, enjoy water and are proficient swimmers, while others, including many domestic cats, generally prefer to avoid it."

Stay Curious!
For more fascinating episodes and weekly video bites, subscribe to But Why Kids on YouTube and keep exploring the wonders of the natural world.