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Home › Animals › Science Explains The Cat 'Blep' Expression That Is Taking Ov...

Science Explains The Cat 'Blep' Expression That Is Taking Over The Internet

Damjan
by Damjan
1 Jan 2018

Cat bleps are one of the internet's simplest joys, and somehow they still manage to spark endless curiosity. That tiny tongue-out look can seem random, hilarious, and a little mysterious all at once.

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In this story, the focus is on why cats do it, from scent-related behavior to the way pets learn what gets a reaction from their humans. The result is a mix of science, cute photos, and the kind of feline behavior that keeps people staring at their screens.

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And once you notice a blep, it is hard to stop looking for the next one.

Blep!

Cat making the blep expression, tongue slightly out, internet meme style
Pinterest
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Finally, animal experts have come to answer our questions using science.

Cat behavior can look random, but the blep has a surprisingly practical side.

Collecting pheromones and napping is multitasking at its finest.
Close-up of a cat blep face, tongue out and eyes wide
REBRN

petmd.com/cat/general-health/cat-sneering-what-flehmen-response" target="">PetMD:

When a cat displays the Flehmen response, she’s basically analyzing a particular scent. It’s used primarily for analyzing pheromones from other cats, especially those found in urine, but a cat will use it for other interesting scents that require more thorough investigation, too.

So basically, in layman's terms, the blep is your cat in detective mode. Detective Catto is on the case!
Cat looking upward with blep tongue expression, playful science meme context
Pinterest

Don't sell your cat short, though...

All of these detective abilities have given our cats the gift of reading us humans, too. It's not hard to see that our cats obviously know we are entertained by the blep.

Cats learn really quickly what works to get what they want!

And if you need a mood reset, these adorable blepping and loafing animals will do it fast.

Further bleps for your enjoyment:

(Mine, too... of course.)
Further bleps for your enjoyment:
Reddit
Blep:
Thorough investigative technique:
Blep! Whoa....
What a blep!
Blep in action:
Proof that the best part of the blep is the blank stare:

The insights into the science of the cat 'blep' reveal not only the charm of this quirky behavior but also highlight our deep emotional bonds with our feline companions. The widespread appeal of the blep phenomenon on social media speaks volumes about the joy and laughter these moments bring into our lives. This connection between humans and their pets is a testament to the enduring power of companionship in the digital age.

Want more? Click through 50 cats’ blep moments that made the internet laugh.

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