I have to ruin the joke but this is not really accurate.
Cat’s are not thinking about “killing” when they have this look. It’s the “play & snack mode” a very positive feeling for the cat. They don’t have the idea that they might hurt or kill another living being in the process.
The real “kill mode” is when having a dispute with other cats (or cat like animals) that they identity not as a snack but as a cat like thing. And this look is much closer to the left picture.
The second move is for target acquisition and often precedes a pounce. The wide pupils let in more light, enabling a more precise pounce.
Why the cat’s body is preparing to pounce is entirely situational. Maybe it’s a hunt, maybe it’s play, maybe it’s just because the cat is being a little overenergetic derp. When you spend time living with a cat you usually learn to identify them pretty reliably. Especially the last one.
Fight mode is usually ears back, low to the ground, fur on end, tense muscles and accompanied by hissing/bapping. Tail tucked in or fully raised dependent on cat and whether they feel cornered or aggressive.
Eyes half squinted, ears generally relaxed/lightly twitching with occasional tail swish is chill mode.
I have to ruin the joke but this is not really accurate.
Cat’s are not thinking about “killing” when they have this look. It’s the “play & snack mode” a very positive feeling for the cat. They don’t have the idea that they might hurt or kill another living being in the process.
The real “kill mode” is when having a dispute with other cats (or cat like animals) that they identity not as a snack but as a cat like thing. And this look is much closer to the left picture.
The second move is for target acquisition and often precedes a pounce. The wide pupils let in more light, enabling a more precise pounce.
Why the cat’s body is preparing to pounce is entirely situational. Maybe it’s a hunt, maybe it’s play, maybe it’s just because the cat is being a little overenergetic derp. When you spend time living with a cat you usually learn to identify them pretty reliably. Especially the last one.
Exactly my stand is, that cat’s don’t differentiate much between play and hunt.
It’s a joyful experience for them (most times), not a stress situation.
Fight mode is usually ears back, low to the ground, fur on end, tense muscles and accompanied by hissing/bapping. Tail tucked in or fully raised dependent on cat and whether they feel cornered or aggressive.
Eyes half squinted, ears generally relaxed/lightly twitching with occasional tail swish is chill mode.
Whiskers will be more horizontal as well. Drooping whiskers = relaxed.
If anyone needs reference material, watch cat groomers on YT xD
The left picture is also very close to a cat smile, a little more squinty-ness and that’s a smile.