How do cats lap milk with their tongues? - briefly
Cats lap milk by curling the tip of their tongue backward to create a spoon-like shape, which draws liquid upward into their mouth through inertia and adhesion.
How do cats lap milk with their tongues? - in detail
Cats have a unique and highly efficient method of drinking liquids, which involves a precise and rapid movement of their tongues. When a cat laps milk, it does not scoop the liquid as one might assume. Instead, the process relies on the interplay between the tongue’s structure, speed, and the physics of fluid dynamics. A cat’s tongue is covered with tiny, backward-facing papillae, which are small, hook-like structures made of keratin. These papillae help in grooming but also play a part in the lapping process. As the cat lowers its tongue toward the liquid, the tip of the tongue curls slightly backward, forming a shape similar to a spoon. When the tongue touches the surface of the milk, it quickly retracts upward at a speed of approximately one meter per second. This rapid movement creates a column of liquid that is drawn upward due to inertia. Before gravity can cause the liquid to fall back, the cat closes its mouth, capturing the milk. This entire process is repeated several times per second, allowing the cat to drink efficiently. The mechanism is so finely tuned that it minimizes spillage and maximizes the amount of liquid consumed with each lap. Studies using high-speed cameras have revealed that cats instinctively adjust the speed and force of their lapping depending on the viscosity of the liquid, ensuring optimal results. This elegant and precise method showcases the remarkable adaptability and evolutionary refinement of feline anatomy and behavior.