A researcher in New Zealand has conducted a study into the movements of cats, and the results are about as unsurprising as they come. By tracking what felines actually do with their time, the study found that their favourite activity is lying, with sitting taking second place.
The work, highlighted in New Scientist's Feedback column, adds a scientific seal to what cat owners have long observed. The researcher's data apparently left little room for debate: when cats are not lying, they are often sitting, and any other activities trail far behind.
While the study may not revolutionise animal behaviour science, it does offer a neatly quantified confirmation of the domestic cat's reputation for extended idleness. The findings suggest that the phrase "cat nap" may be something of an understatement.