This is why cats are terrified of cucumbers

 

Social media is amassed with funny and viral videos showing how cats react to cucumbers after seeing them suddenly near them while eating.

A number of clips show that the owner of cats subtly places a cucumber when their pet is eating. After suddenly seeing a cucumber near them, cats jump and go far away, making it funny for the onlookers.

An expert in animal behaviour Jill Goldman told while speaking with the National Geographic Channel that the cucumbers were triggering the cats’ natural startle reflexes, reported Independent.

She said while explaining cats’ terrifying reaction: “With a startle response, a cat will often try to get out of there as quickly as possible and then reassess from a distance.”

Pam Johnson-Bennett, who is the author of Think Like a Cat was also quoted by the publication that placing cucumbers near where cats eat may confuse the cats further because they often associate those areas with safety and security.

Goldman added that it was also possible cats may associate the cucumber with snakes, which can be deadly predators.

“If you cause stress to an animal that’s probably not a good thing,” Goldman stated.