Cats are not only adorable creatures but also they are very interesting for their strange behaviors. Sometimes, you will find your furry friend lounging in the sunbeams or chasing laser pointers. If you are a new cat owner or planning to keep a kitty in your home, you should know about these fascinating creatures.
In this blog, we will discuss about 15 interesting facts about cats. From their ancient as revered beings to their extraordinary physical abilities, we will uncover amazing facts about cats.
15 Interesting Facts About Cats
The interesting facts of cats surprise us every time. Within these facts 15 are bellow:
The Ancient History of Cats
- The Domestication of Cats
Cats were first domesticated about 4,000 years ago back in the Near East. Archaeological evidence indicates that the first domesticated cats were the great protectors of grain stores in ancient Mesopotamia, which meant controlling rodent populations. It was truly a mutually beneficial arrangement: cats provided pest control, and humans rewarded them with food and shelter.
Fun fact: The oldest pet cat’s grave previously known was discovered in Cyprus, with an age of over 9,500 years!
- Cats in Ancient Egypt
In Ancient Egypt, cats lived the most lauded lives, for they were then worshipped as sacred animals. They were known as the goddesses whose name is Bastet who is a symbol of fertility and protection. This is often attributed to her depiction as a domestic cat, an animal revered in ancient Egypt for its nurturing and protective qualities. Misdemeanour against cats, and even unintentional killing, most times attracted strict punishment-some even death.
The cats took their early trajectory towards Europe and Asia due to the love for cats by Ancient Egyptians, who took these animals on voyages with sailors and protected their ships from marauding mice.
Unique Cat Behaviors
Have you ever thought about what makes a cat knead you like bread dough or sleep throughout the day? These quirks represent interesting instincts and evolved characteristics.
- Why Do Cats Purr?
The act of purring is usually a sweet sound that comes to a cat lover’s ears. Mostly, purring is an indication that the cat is happy, but it may also mean something entirely different, such as showing signs of stress or fear. Interestingly, research has shown that the purrs produced during such sound waves come with some healing powers—they help relieve pain and tissue regeneration.
- The Mystery of Kneading
Kneading is also known as “making biscuits,”. This behavior they get from their kittenhood. When they nurse, they knead on their mother’s belly to increase milk flow. Adult cats often knead on blankets or soft surfaces for marking their territory. Their paws contain scent glands that are used for creating their own smell. Kneading is a sign of contentment and sense of security. We should encourage this behavior by offering our furry friends soft blankets.
- Nocturnal Nature
If the cat’s idea of fun is raising the roof and racing around the house as if a ninja at night, there is actually a reason for it. Cats tend to be the most active around dawn or dusk, which is termed crepuscular. This indicates that their behaviors are a reflection of ancestral hunting patterns in the times when prey, such as rodents or birds, are most active.
Cat Senses
Cats are sensory engines. The intricate sensory structure makes them excellent hunters, the ultimate animal species, so to speak.
- Exceptional Hearing
It is pretty much 180 degrees for the cat’s ears to turn towards the sounds, and they are capable of locating the exact source of ah-hing along with those sounds. They can locate even those high pitched chirps that normal human ears cannot catch because of the ability to hear those ultrasonic frequencies.
- Vision Built for Night
Cats have an incredible ability to see in low light—they can actually detect light that’s six times dimmer than what a human can perceive. With the conditions in which the eyes are found, in most instances they appear as deep blue ones, with a reflective layer called tapetum lucidum, which has helped them a lot with regard to vision at the lowest light condition. Another thing apart from their slit-shaped pupils that enables them to control the intake of light with such extraordinary precision is helpful in both extremely bright and dark surroundings.
- Nose Knows Best
Though cats don’t have a sense of smell like dogs, it’s still 14 times better than that of human beings. They use their strong noses not only for food but also for detecting other cats’ geographical boundaries. They have Jacobson’s organ that is located in the roof of their oral cavity. This is how they smell of the the air aromas! For example, you might see your cat suckling on your blanket. Adult cats may do this for the familiar scent of you on the blankets, while kittens often do it due to early separation. However, these aren’t the only reasons for this sucking behavior. There are more reasons why cats suck on blankets.
Amazing Facts About Cats You Didn’t Know
Cats are full of surprises, and some of these tidbits might just blow your mind.
- World’s Richest Cat
When an owner left him a bequest of $12 million, Blackie, the cat, broke records by becoming the richest cat in the world. A true kitty philanthropist, Blackie “humbled us all” with this story!
- Long-Lived Legends
The oldest cat in history is a Texas cat known as Crème Puff, which lived a phenomenal 38 years and 3 days. This is more than double of their average lifespan! According to Crème Puff’s owner, this very long life owes its origin to that special diet-crème puff also enjoyed bacon and eggs.
- A Cat’s Whiskers Can Measure Spaces
Were you aware that a cat’s whiskers aren’t merely for ornamental purposes? They serve as very delicate measuring devices, explaining to cats whether they could fit into spaces that might be tight.
- Cats Spend 70% of Their Lives Sleeping
All cats take delight in napping, but do you know that they can snooze as much as 16 hours in a single day? At 9 years old, an average cat will have spent 6 of those years sleeping!
- The Largest Breed of Cat
At about 18 pounds, the Maine coon is one of the largest domesticated types of cat. Being so large, it is sometimes referred to as the gentle giant due to its friendly disposition and social character.
- Cats Can Make Over 100 Sounds
Every sound serves a different function in communication, either with the cats themselves or with humans. Primarily, cats communicate in over 100 different sounds: meowing, purring, roaring, hissing, etc. They do this as opposed to dogs, which can only differentiate approximately a dozen vocal sounds from one another.
- Cat Sweats Perspire
Sweating is another amazing fact of cats. Do cats sweat perspire? You might wonder about this, and the answer is yes, but not in the same way as humans. Rather than humans sweating through their skin, cats primarily use their nose, paw pads, and ears to sweat for cooling. They have sweat glands concentrated in these specific body parts.
Why Cats Are the Purr-fect Companion
All these amazing facts about cats will surely impress you if you are a cat lover. No matter whether you esteem their independence, perhaps enjoy their playful antics or love just harmonious companionship, cats are possibly one of the best things in life. They add joy, curiosity, and warmth into the home around them and delightfully amaze us by their unparalleled personalities.
If you’re a pet lover considering adding a furry friend to your family, adopting a cat could very well be one of the most rewarding decisions you’ll make.
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