Cats are fascinating creatures that have been companions to humans for thousands of years. From their unique behaviors to their mysterious ways, there is always something new to learn about these furry friends. Here are 20 interesting facts about cats that you may not have known:
1. Cats have a specialized collarbone that allows them to always land on their feet. This is known as the 'righting reflex'.
2. A group of cats is called a 'clowder'.
3. Cats have a unique grooming behavior called 'allogrooming' where they groom each other as a form of social bonding.
4. The average cat sleeps for 12-16 hours a day, making them one of the sleepiest animals on the planet.
5. Cats have a strong sense of smell, with 200 million scent receptors in their noses compared to humans who only have 5 million.
6. The world's oldest cat lived to be 38 years old, which is the equivalent of 168 human years.
7. Cats have a special 'third eyelid' called the nictitating membrane that helps protect their eyes and keep them moist.
8. Cats have five toes on their front paws but only four on their back paws.
9. The oldest known pet cat was recently found in a 9500-year-old grave on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.
10. Cats have a unique vocalization called 'chattering' where they make a rapid clicking sound with their teeth when they see birds or other prey.
11. Cats have a special 'whisker map' on their face that helps them navigate and sense their surroundings.
12. The world's largest cat measured over 48 inches long and weighed 46 pounds.
13. Cats have a 'hunting face' where their eyes dilate, their whiskers point forward, and their ears swivel to focus on prey.
14. Cats can rotate their ears 180 degrees, allowing them to hear in all directions.
15. The world's richest cat inherited $13 million from her owner and now lives in luxury.
16. Cats have a special 'kneading' behavior where they push their paws in and out against a soft surface, which is thought to be a leftover behavior from kittenhood.
17. Cats have a unique 'purr' that is thought to help them heal and relax.
18. The world's largest litter of kittens was born to a Burmese/Siamese cat in 1970, with 19 kittens in total.
19. Cats have a special 'meow' for humans that is different from the sounds they make to communicate with other cats.
20. Cats have a special 'greeting behavior' where they rub their face against objects or people to mark them with their scent.