Licking Prey

The cat will often lick prey to remove fur or feathers so as to expose the flesh. Once it is exposed the cat will also commonly lick the flesh. The papillae (small backwards facing barb-like structures) on the tongue can help the flesh to adhere to the tongue and thus aid transport of food from the carcass to the cat’s mouth.

The following photographic sequence illustrates a cat licking a prey item.

 
 

 
 

 
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