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A black and white tuxedo cat curls up in a torn cardboard box lined with straw, surrounded by yellow ducklings. 11 / 22

A Tuxedo Cat's Cardboard Box Fills Up With Ducklings

AI imagetuxedo catducklingscardboard box

A battered cardboard box has been lined with a bit of straw, and it now holds a big tuxedo cat and six ducklings in perfect harmony. The cat has curled into a round black-and-white loaf, his white paws tucked in front of him. The ducklings sit in a ring around him, a few of them leaning on his side and one resting its head near his paw. Behind the box, laundry and a houseplant are visible on a windowsill.

There's a good reason cats love boxes. Many experts believe that small, enclosed spaces help cats feel safe and warm, and a box gives them a spot to hide and watch the world. That's also why a cat will often squeeze into a box that looks much too small. Tuxedo is a coat pattern, not a breed, and tuxedo cats can have any personality, though many owners find them chatty and outgoing. Real ducklings need a warm brooder with proper bedding and a heat source, so a cardboard box would only be a short-term stop. And any shared space between a cat and baby birds should be supervised.

This box has become a tiny, sleepy hotel. The cat doesn't seem to mind sharing, and the ducklings don't seem to mind the size of their roommate. It is hard to think of a better place to settle in.

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