Cats are said to rule the internet, and it’s not an exaggeration. With countless photos and videos of both everyday cats and famous felines doing amusing things, it’s easy to forget that cats serve a practical purpose as skilled pest control experts.
In fact, one botanical garden has several cats living on its premises for this exact reason. However, even these hardworking felines manage to make their way onto the internet and go viral. Currently, one cat has taken the spotlight, leaving more questions than answers at this point.
More Info: Twitter | Cats Of Longwood Gardens
Although the internet may portray cats as mere entertainment, they serve a significant purpose in controlling pests
Sarah McAnulty, a squid biologist and inventor of the SquidMobile, recently visited Longwood Gardens, a stunning botanical garden near Philadelphia, PA. However, instead of admiring the garden’s diverse flora and rich history, Sarah was preoccupied with figuring out what Persimmon had done. As a result, Meowlov contacted Sarah for further details.
This particular botanical garden has numerous cats for the purpose of controlling pests, but it also has to manage any mischief they might cause
Longwood Gardens is not only abundant in flora but also has a significant number of cats. Sarah’s recent tweet after her visit to the garden, however, focuses on a specific feline named Persimmon, an orange tabby.
Sarah witnessed an employee escorting an orange cat out of the Longwood Gardens, which intrigued her, prompting her to inquire about the situation. The employee who was escorting the cat sighed and said “[S]he shows up at the most inopportune moments”. Sarah made a playful remark, suggesting that their interaction would make for a great sitcom, and even referenced the iconic intro to the Garfield show.
“Many people immediately recognized her from my tweet, even though I didn’t include a picture. Folks started replying with their pictures of her and they were the exact same cat. She apparently is one of Longwood’s resident cats and is often found wandering around the conservatory,” explained Sarah.
Biologist Sarah McAnulty’s tweet about Persimmon, the orange tabby’s unexpected appearance at an inconvenient time, prompted others to share their own encounters with the feline
Now, circling back to the pressing question at hand: What exactly are these inconvenient moments that Persimmon seems to be causing? How often does this happen? And where can one find more content on this delightful feline? While Sarah had some theories, we delved deeper into the matter and uncovered some answers.
Longwood Gardens is, as previously mentioned, home to numerous cats. According to the garden’s website, the origins of these felines are largely unknown, but they are well cared for and provide entertainment, companionship, and exceptional pest control services in return.
It’s no surprise then that many social media users responded to Sarah’s viral tweet with photos and anecdotes of their own encounters with Persimmon. We even know the cat’s gender thanks to a tweet from one individual who claims that Persimmon is a female.
Persimmon, along with several other cats, have been brought in to control the pest population and are assigned specific territories to protect
According to the website and speculations on Twitter, it is likely that Persimmon was being relocated to her designated territory. However, it is important to note that each cat is responsible for their own specific area in the garden. Despite this, Persimmon seems to have left her post to engage in typical cat behavior for unknown reasons.
“I suspect walking into places that cats aren’t supposed to go, like underfoot in the dark like she was when I met her, or maybe climbing in a Christmas tree around the holidays,” added Sarah. “Persimmon seems to enjoy being the center of attention, and she deserves it.” The plot of this sitcom thickens.
Online speculation suggests that the cat may have been removed because it was expected to be in a different location or to avoid crowded areas
Twitter users have reported that Persimmon is a friendly cat who enjoys spending time on people’s laps. However, Persimmon was relocated from the off-limits dining room, interrupting her lap time. Persimmon also loves being petted and sleeping, which is typical of cats.
Sarah was amazed to see how many people recognized Persimmon from her description and shared pictures of their own orange cats. Many expressed their eagerness to watch a sitcom featuring Persimmon, making it a highly anticipated event.
Those who were unfamiliar with Persimmon shared pictures of their own orange cats, creating a similar vibe to Persimmon’s presence
Before you wonder why a botanical garden employs cats as pest control, consider the following: with hundreds, if not thousands, of plant species, some of which are valued at prices similar to a brand new 2023 Ford F-150 truck, and countless ways for pests to damage them, it’s crucial to prevent mice, moles, and other destructive creatures from wreaking havoc. While there are other reasons as well, this is one of the most significant ones.
The original tweet gained popularity, receiving almost 60,000 likes and more than 3,200 retweets
Sarah’s tweet quickly gained traction, accumulating almost 60,000 likes and over 3,200 retweets, as well as appearing in various online news headlines. To see more of Longwood Gardens’ cats, check out their website, while Sarah’s website, Instagram, and Twitter provide more information about her. She intends to keep an eye out for Persimmon on her next visit to the botanical garden, suggesting that the story may continue. If you happen to visit Longwood Gardens, try to locate Persimmon and meow meow meow on our behalf!
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