The Tribe of Tiger: Cats and Their Culture

3.75 stars

This book looks at cat behavior, including big and small cats. There is also an extensive section on lions and their culture. There are a lot of anecdotes included in the book.

I quite liked this. Found it interesting, and there were some very nice illustrations. One thing that bothered me was her referring to mates as “husbands” and “wives”, though.

"La tribù della tigre" viene considerato un testo fondamentale da parte di chi studia l'etologia felina, e in effetti lo è, anche se, dal punto di vista della mia più che ventennale convivenza con una comunità di gatti non indifferente (oggi sono 16, ma sono stati anche di più), trovo non condivisibili alcune osservazioni

This is not a scientific examination of cat behavior, but rather a collection of anecdotal stories from the author's life, friends and acquaintances, together with her personal thoughts and speculations. The first part of the book talks about housecats: their social organization, communication methods and whether or not they have "culture". The second part is about time Marshall spent in Africa, and relates in detail relationships between groups of lions and native Kalahari bushmen. The last section discusses mountain lions in America, and tigers in captivity. Throughout the book there are observations on various other cat species, and comparisons between the big cats and our domesticated housecats. I found this book very interesting, show more but some of her conclusions I reallyquestioned. For example, she states that tigers (if well-treated) are happier and longer-lived in circuses than zoos, where they are bored and stressed from being stared at by strangers all day. The more I think about this the less I know what to think...

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Insightful. Very anecdotal, so needs to be read through a filter at times. But the author has a wealth of fascinating anecdotes, and is a remarkable observer.

It's been years since I read this, but I remember finding it fascinating. Our domestic cats aren't that far removed from the big cats.

Do you live with the Feline tribe? Ever wonder why they do nutty stuff that seems to be without meaning?
After reading EMT's wonderful overview of the big cats, the little cats will make a lot more sense...I saw
Roy Horn's big Siberian lunge at a mother and child at the secret garden...Good thing the little cats know their place...

Cats in your home have a society and culture rich in friendliness and conflict.