Weasel war dance: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Vinnie the Ferret in a War Dance Jump.jpg|thumb|right|A ferret in a war dance jump.]] |
[[Image:Vinnie the Ferret in a War Dance Jump.jpg|thumb|right|A ferret in a war dance jump.]] |
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The '''weasel war dance''' is a colloquial term for a behavior of excited [[ferret]]s and [[weasel]]s. In wild animals, it is speculated that this dance is used to confuse or disorient prey<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=5ae9c7GO_cUC</ref>. In domestic animals, the war dance usually follows play or the successful capture of a [[toy]] or a stolen object. It consists of a frenzied series of sideways and backwards hops, often accompanied by an arched back, dooking or hissing noises, and a frizzy [[tail]]. Ferrets are notoriously clumsy in their surroundings during their dance and will often bump into or fall over objects and furniture. Although the weasel war dance may make a ferret appear frightened or angry, they are often just excited and are usually harmless to [[human]]s. This term is analogous to ''binky'' in [[rabbit]]s and ''popcorning'' in [[guinea pig]]s. |
The '''weasel war dance''' is a colloquial term for a behavior of excited [[ferret]]s and [[weasel]]s. In wild animals, it is speculated that this dance is used to confuse or disorient prey<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=5ae9c7GO_cUC</ref>. In domestic animals, the war dance usually follows play or the successful capture of a [[toy]] or a stolen object. It consists of a frenzied series of sideways and backwards hops, often accompanied by an arched back, dooking or hissing noises, and a frizzy [[tail]]. Ferrets are notoriously clumsy in their surroundings during their dance and will often bump into or fall over objects and furniture. Although the weasel war dance may make a ferret appear frightened or angry, they are often just excited and are usually harmless to [[human]]s. This term is analogous to ''binky'' in [[rabbit]]s and ''popcorning'' in [[guinea pig]]s. A similar playful looking behaviour is shown by house cats that has just caught a prey. In fact people with pet cats at home will not find this behaviour of weasels strange at all. |
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The term was popularized by (among others) [[Scott Adams]] in the [[Dilbert]] [[comic strip]]. |
The term was popularized by (among others) [[Scott Adams]] in the [[Dilbert]] [[comic strip]]. |
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Revision as of 18:33, 20 December 2009
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The weasel war dance is a colloquial term for a behavior of excited ferrets and weasels. In wild animals, it is speculated that this dance is used to confuse or disorient prey[1]. In domestic animals, the war dance usually follows play or the successful capture of a toy or a stolen object. It consists of a frenzied series of sideways and backwards hops, often accompanied by an arched back, dooking or hissing noises, and a frizzy tail. Ferrets are notoriously clumsy in their surroundings during their dance and will often bump into or fall over objects and furniture. Although the weasel war dance may make a ferret appear frightened or angry, they are often just excited and are usually harmless to humans. This term is analogous to binky in rabbits and popcorning in guinea pigs. A similar playful looking behaviour is shown by house cats that has just caught a prey. In fact people with pet cats at home will not find this behaviour of weasels strange at all.
The term was popularized by (among others) Scott Adams in the Dilbert comic strip.
See also
References
External links
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