The term "miners cat" is often used to describe a small, agile animal that was historically used by coal miners to detect dangerous gases in underground tunnels. This animal was typically a small breed of cat, though other animals such as ferrets and canaries were also commonly used. Synonyms for "miners cat" include pit pony, colliery pony, and pit cat. These animals were vital to the safety of miners, as they were able to detect carbon monoxide and other toxic gases long before humans would be aware of their presence. Today, the use of animals in mining has largely been replaced by advanced safety equipment and practices.