Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for January 17, 2023

Hey, looks are important.

It’s winter so why not?

(sighs) My beloved first cat, whom I had for just short of twenty years, really loved the time that we were in an apartment with forced air floor grills. I’d go into my study of a winter, and it was freezing, and sure enough, Arwen would be curled up over the grill soaking up the warm goodness.

“All that fur strictly must be ornamental.”

When Hobbes picks up the scent of female tiger, he’ll come to life.

Next thing you know, you’ll have a flea infestation.

It needs to be kept charged.

Dragging the doll around again.

Hobbes is clearly NOT a Siberian tiger.

Even tigers like a little comfort now and then.

Hobbes enjoying Mr. Sunbeam (Hi & Lois reference) in the first panel!

My English cocker slept in sunbeams. He’d awaken, discover the beam had moved, so he would, too.

You’re just jealous

That’s right Calvin, better not disturb the tiger.

When I was younger, our cat had kittens on a furnace duct in the garage.

Remind me of my Tigger! Where ever it’s warm, he’s there. I find him under the blankets a lot in the winter!

Mainly for slithering among the shadows, Calvin.

Cats originate from stars.

Cats like warm spots. They also like to look good and tummy rubs.

that is the same thing my cat does

Protects from the heat or the cold, drips dry, and, yes, it does look great.

In a sense it is ornamental. See “aposematism” in Wikipedia. Sometimes called “honest signaling” or “warning coloration.” Poison-dart frogs, monarch butterflies, tigers… the coloration signals “mess with me and you’ll be sorry.”

If he’s a stuffed tiger today, then most definitely.

If he’s a real tiger today, then the pattern is what’s most important, specifically if it allows him to camouflage himself while stalking prey.

LOL… Hobbes is a mess. Typical cat, though. Always seeking out the warm spots.

The stripes and coloring help tigers to be very successful apex predators. The sleeping habits are common. They eat a huge meal and then nap.

My brother stepped barefoot on a metal floor grate one cold morning after the furnace had been running a while. It tooks weeks for the cross-hatch burn marks to heal. God rest you Richard…

Cats have a higher body temperature than humans so what they might consider chilly is different than it is for us. Fortunately it also makes them great bed and lap warmers.

Cats are experts at conservation of energy: Eat, nap, repeat!

The ornamental hairs are good at soaking heat by radiation and keeping the feline cosy.

Actually, I think he’s recharging his fur.