A mum has discovered a strange thing that happens when you draw a square on the floor near a cat.

Danielle Matheson's mum had a bit of spare time on her hands, but was feeling productive. She had some duct tape and a cat.

She had also seen a wild claim on Pinterest that if you draw a square on the ground, cats can't help themselves but sit in it.

She immediately set to work testing that hypothesis, and sent the results to her daughter, who shared the scientific experiment with the world.

Nobody has had a more productive day than my mother pic.twitter.com/LK6KX9KM1x

— Danielle Matheson (@prograpslady) April 10, 2017

That was all the info she needed. She set about putting tape on the floor. The cat came over and showed interest.

To the delight of everyone, the cat then sat in it.

Science.

The tweets went viral, with many other people conducting their own follow-up experiments.

@prograpslady True pic.twitter.com/7F93tt7sP6

— Erin Bahrenfuss (@ebarnz7) April 11, 2017

@prograpslady @Ethan_Booker Because your mentions need more notifications pic.twitter.com/ALR7PKxl2S

— Marc Normandin (@Marc_Normandin) April 11, 2017

@prograpslady pic.twitter.com/ObnBajyhZz

— Nature Boy (@Lizzy_Hampton) April 11, 2017

With mixed results.

@prograpslady My cat thinks outside the box pic.twitter.com/dlKElOD232

— titty boi (@radtitty) April 11, 2017

@prograpslady "Nope! I will not fall for you Pinterest." pic.twitter.com/CxZZDZ61lv

— Anne Helm (@SeeroiberJenny) April 11, 2017

But generally they found that cats will sit in any old square that you put in front of them.

@prograpslady can confirm. cats find enclosed shapes on the ground irresistible. pic.twitter.com/mjvqzA4D2R

— krhainos (@krhainos) April 10, 2017

@prograpslady it works pic.twitter.com/GSMIpq4wfR

— becca👽🖤 (@beccastsko) April 10, 2017

So if you struggle getting your uncontrollable cat to obey you, apparently all you ever needed was a bit of duct tape and some floor.