I think I'm developing a communication skill with the ferals

[2naSalit]

22. Great suggestion!

I call it the non-aggressive stance because I figured it out with wildlife in the field. But it works with nearly every species I have tested it on since I discovered how it works.


Simply tilt your head slightly, like you're curious, and blink slowly. This body language indicates to the animal that you are probably not a predator, predators stare and rarely blink during the time the animal is sizing it up before it runs. A steady stare will spook them every time, even predators though their response might be entirely different by seeing you a a challenger or threat.

I use it when I go to an animal shelter, it calms the caged cats. You can see their pupils shrink when they recognize that you aren't a threat.

Anyway, the blinks and tilting your head is what does it.