We have a cute cat in our neighbourhood called Boots. He is a tan-coloured and, as his name suggests, comes with black feet.

Around 9 AM every morning, he patrols his territory, that includes our street. He walks up every driveway, checking backyards, looking for intruders, (I suspect other cats).

Apparently, this is the same type of behaviour that male lions display in the wild.

And he is certainly not to busy to roll over for a tummy rub, if you happen to be walking by.

However, according to researchers from the University of Edinburgh, this is just a facade.

They concluded that if our fluffy pet cats were a few feet taller, lion-sized, instead of rubbing lovingly against our legs looking for a scratch, they would be stalking their owners for food.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the researchers concluded from their study that pet cats display the same high levels of ‘neurotic behaviour’, insecurity, tension, anxiety, dominance, aggression, and impulsiveness as lions and leopards do in the wild.

These are all the characteristics, that make larger cats dangerous, high level predators.

Leading me to conclude, if lovable Boots was just a bit bigger, he would be out hunting for breakfast every morning at 9, and I would be on the menu.

READ: Study says cats would kill you if they were bigger AND Personality structure in the Domestic Cat (Felis silvestris catus), Scottish Wildcat (Felis silvestris grampla), Clouded Leopard (Neofellis nebulosa), Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia), and African Lion (Panthera Leo)