40 Awesome Cat Facts to Understand Them Better
Summary
TLDRDiscover the intriguing world of cats with this informative script. From their 4,000-year domestication history to their unique social behaviors and sensory abilities, cats are full of surprises. Learn about their complex vocalizations, the significance of their body language, and their remarkable adaptability. Uncover lesser-known facts like their aversion to sweets, their impressive jumping skills, and the story of Stubbs, the cat mayor. This script is a must for cat lovers, offering insights into feline physiology, psychology, and even their role in human health and happiness.
Takeaways
- 🐾 Cats have been domesticated for around 4,000 years and were once feared hunters.
- 👶 For a cat to be sociable, it should interact with humans between 2 to 16 weeks old; after that, it's hard to domesticate.
- 🐈⬛ A group of kittens is called a 'kindle', adult cats 'a clowder', female cats 'queens', and male cats 'toms'.
- 🗣️ Cats can produce up to 100 different sounds, with purring and meowing being just a small part of their vocal range.
- 🐱 Cats only meow at humans; they use other sounds like hissing and spitting for communication with other animals.
- 🦮 The first year of a cat's life is equivalent to 15 human years, with aging rates changing as the cat gets older.
- 🐾 Feline acne is common among cats, often manifesting as blackheads on their chins.
- 🌡️ Cats, being desert animals, handle heat well and can secrete sweat through their paws when hot or scared.
- 💤 Cats sleep about two-thirds of the day, with a 9-year-old cat being fully awake for only 3 years of its life.
- 👃 A cat's sense of smell is approximately 14 times greater than that of a human.
- 🤲 Cats often clean themselves to remove human scent, and they mark their owners by rubbing against them from nose to tail.
Q & A
How long have cats been domesticated?
-Cats have been domesticated for about 4,000 years.
At what age should a cat start interacting with humans to be sociable?
-A cat should start interacting with humans from about 2 weeks old to be sociable.
What is the term for a group of kittens?
-A group of kittens is often called a kindle.
How many different sounds can cats make?
-Cats can make up to 100 different sounds.
Do cats meow at other animals like they do at humans?
-Cats only meow at humans. With other animals, they hiss, spit, and purr, but never meow.
How is a cat's first year of life equated to human years?
-The first year of a cat's life is equal to the first 15 human years.
Why do cats secrete sweat through their paws?
-Cats secrete sweat through their paws if they feel especially hot or frightened.
What percentage of a cat's day is spent sleeping on average?
-Most cats tend to spend about two-thirds of their day sleeping.
How is a cat's sense of smell compared to that of a human?
-A cat's sense of smell is approximately 14 times greater than that of the average human.
Why do cats lick their fur to remove the scent of their owners?
-Cats lick their fur to remove the scent of their owners because it is a natural instinct to clean themselves, and they also want to mark their owners as their own.
Why can't cats taste sweets?
-Cats can't taste sweets due to a mutation in their key taste receptor.
What are some foods that are harmful to cats and should not be given to them?
-Onion, garlic, green tomatoes, chocolate, grapes, raisins, and milk are harmful to cats and should not be given to them.
What is the location of a cat's belly button?
-A cat's belly button is usually located about two-thirds of the way down a cat's belly.
Why do cats often ignore their owner when their name is called?
-Cats often ignore their owner when their name is called because they haven't been domesticated to listen to people's orders, unlike dogs.
What is the significance of black cats in various cultures?
-In England, Asia, France, and many other countries, black cats are considered to bring prosperity and happiness, contrary to the belief of bad luck.
What is the purpose of a cat's whiskers?
-A cat's whiskers are covered in numerous nerve cells and blood vessels, helping them detect changes around them and determine if they can fit into a certain space.
What is the name of the album created specifically for cats to enjoy?
-The album created specifically for cats to enjoy is called 'Music for Cats' by composer David Teie and animal scientists.
What is the name of the reflective layer in a cat's eyes that enhances their night vision?
-The reflective layer in a cat's eyes is called the tapetum lucidum.
What was the name of the cat who served as mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska?
-The cat who served as mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska, was named Stubbs.
How many beats per minute does a cat's heart typically beat?
-A cat's heart typically beats 110 to 140 times per minute.
Which cat holds the record for giving birth to the most kittens?
-A tabby cat named Dusty holds the record for giving birth to 420 kittens.
How many neurons does a cat's cerebral cortex contain compared to a dog's?
-A cat's cerebral cortex contains 300 million neurons, compared to around 160 million in dogs.
What is the natural instinct of a kitten regarding its feces?
-The natural instinct of a kitten is to cover its feces, and if a cat doesn't do that, it's showing dominance in the household.
Do some ginger tabby cats have freckles, and if so, where are they located?
-Some ginger tabby cats have freckles around their mouth and even on their eyelids.
How many muscles do cats have in their ears compared to humans?
-Cats have 32 muscles in their ears compared to 12 in humans.
What was the name of the first cat sent to space?
-The first cat sent to space was named Félicette.
How many toes do cats typically have on their front and back paws?
-Cats usually have 5 toes on each of their front paws and 4 toes on their back paws.
What was the name of the calico cat who became a station master and increased passenger traffic?
-The calico cat who became a station master and increased passenger traffic was named Tama.
How many times their own length can cats jump?
-Cats can easily jump about 6 times their own length.
Do cats have a lower social IQ than dogs, and if so, how do they compensate?
-Cats have a lower social IQ than dogs, but they compensate with better long-term memory and the ability to solve difficult cognitive problems.
How is a cat's brain similar to a human's?
-A cat's brain is similar to a human's in that they have almost identical brain regions that take care of emotions.
What areas of a cat's face do they enjoy being touched, according to researchers?
-Cats enjoy being touched around their lips, chin, and cheeks.
What is the record lifespan of a cat, and what was the name of the oldest recorded cat?
-The oldest recorded cat was Creme Puff, who lived for 38 years.
What causes a cat to purr, and how is it produced?
-Cats purr due to a small group of thin bones located between the base of their skull and the root of their tongue. When they feel happy, the muscles contract, creating the vibration of the vocal folds.
Are most cats left-pawed or right-pawed?
-Most cats are actually left-pawed.
What personality traits are associated with cat owners, according to psychologists?
-Cat owners are described as logical, practical, and introverted.
How does living with a cat benefit mental and physical health?
-Living with a cat helps relieve stress, anxiety, and depression, which can lower blood pressure and protect against heart problems, including stroke.
What is the adoption rate of kittens from animal shelters, and what can be done to improve it?
-Only 24% of kittens from animal shelters get adopted. Adopting a kitten can help improve this figure.
Outlines
😺 Fascinating Feline Facts
This paragraph delves into the intriguing world of cats, highlighting their unique behaviors and characteristics. From the way they greet each other by touching noses to their ability to rotate their ears 180 degrees, cats possess a range of surprising traits. It covers their domestication history, the importance of early socialization, and the specific terms used to describe groups and genders of cats. Additionally, it touches on their extensive vocal capabilities, their selective meowing behavior, and the fascinating comparison of a cat's age to human years. The paragraph also addresses common health issues like feline acne, their heat tolerance, and their sleeping habits. It concludes with insights into a cat's superior sense of smell and their self-cleaning behaviors, which serve to remove human scent as a form of territorial marking.
🎶 Musical Cats and Whiskered Wonders
This section explores the relationship between cats and music, revealing that while most music is unwelcome to feline ears, a special album called 'Music for Cats' has been created to cater to their auditory preferences. It also discusses the unique anatomy of a cat's eyes, featuring a reflective layer that significantly enhances their night vision. The narrative then shifts to notable feline achievements, such as Stubbs the cat's tenure as mayor and Dusty the tabby's record-breaking litter sizes. The paragraph further examines the neurological complexity of cats, comparing their cerebral cortex neuron count to that of dogs, and the rare occurrence of identical twin kittens. It also touches on kittens' natural instincts, the distinctive features of ginger tabby cats, and the remarkable flexibility and hearing ability afforded by a cat's multiple ear muscles.
🚀 Feline Feats and Preferences
This paragraph celebrates the extraordinary lives of cats, from Félicette's historic space journey to the record-breaking agility and strength of cats like Tama the station master and the calico cat with an impressive jump span. It discusses the physical peculiarities of cats, such as the varying number of toes on their paws and the unique social and cognitive attributes that set them apart from dogs. The similarities between human and feline brains are noted, along with the preferences and aversions cats have towards being touched. The paragraph concludes with the longest-lived cat on record, the reasons behind cats' purring, the prevalence of left-pawed cats, and the psychological profile of cat owners. It also underscores the mental health benefits of living with a cat and the low adoption rates from shelters, encouraging viewers to consider adoption.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Domesticated
💡Sociability
💡Kindle
💡Vocal Abilities
💡Feline Acne
💡Desert Animals
💡Cerebral Cortex
💡Taste Receptor
💡Identical Twins
💡Tactile
💡Tabby
Highlights
Cats have been domesticated for around 4,000 years and were once feared hunters.
Cats need human interaction from 2 weeks old to become sociable, with a critical period up to 16 weeks.
A group of kittens is called a 'kindle', and adult cats are referred to as a 'clowder'.
Cats can produce up to 100 different sounds, with purring and meowing being just a small part.
Cats only meow at humans, using other sounds like hissing and spitting for communication with other animals.
A cat's first year is equivalent to 15 human years, with aging rates changing as they get older.
Feline acne is common among cats, often appearing as blackheads on their chins.
Cats, evolved from desert animals, can handle heat well and secrete sweat through their paws.
Cats spend about two-thirds of their day sleeping, with a 9-year-old cat awake for only 3 years of its life.
A cat's sense of smell is 14 times greater than that of a human.
Cats groom themselves to remove human scent, which they pick up when marking their territory.
Cats lack the ability to taste sweets due to a mutation in their taste receptors.
Cats have sensitive stomachs and should avoid certain foods like onions, garlic, and chocolate.
Cats have belly buttons that are hard to find and are located about two-thirds down their belly.
Cats understand their names but may choose to ignore them, reflecting their independent nature.
Black cats are considered symbols of prosperity and happiness in many countries, contrary to the belief of bad luck.
Cats' whiskers are highly sensitive, with numerous nerve cells and blood vessels, aiding in spatial awareness.
Cats generally dislike music but may respond positively to the album 'Music for Cats' by David Teie.
The tapetum lucidum in a cat's eyes allows them to see six times better in the dark than humans.
Cats can jump up to six times their body length, thanks to their powerful back leg muscles.
Cats have a lower social IQ than dogs but compensate with better long-term memory and problem-solving skills.
Cats' brains are biologically similar to humans, sharing regions responsible for emotions.
Cats prefer being touched on their faces and dislike being petted at the base of their tail.
The oldest recorded cat, Creme Puff, lived for 38 years and is remembered in the Guinness World Records.
Cats purr due to the contraction of muscles creating vibrations in their vocal folds.
Most cats are left-pawed, indicating a preference in their 'handedness'.
Cat owners are often logical, practical, and introverted, and they enjoy sharing stories about their pets.
Living with a cat can help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression, and potentially lower blood pressure and heart problems.
Only 24% of kittens from animal shelters get adopted, highlighting the need for more adoptions.
Transcripts
Did you know that cats greet each other by touching noses? Or that they can rotate their
ears 180º? And these aren't the only surprising facts about cats you may have missed!
#1: Cats have been domesticated for about 4,000 years! Before that, they were one of
the greatest hunters feared by numerous species.
#2: A cat needs to interact with humans from about 2 weeks old so it can be sociable toward
people. Even after that, you still have time until a cat turns about 16 weeks old. After
that, it's almost impossible to domesticate it.
#3: A group of kittens is often called a kindle; a group of adult cats is called a clowder.
A female cat is referred to as a queen, and a male cat is known as a tom.
#4: Your cat's purrs and meows are only a tiny part of their vocal abilities. In fact,
cats can make up to 100 different sounds!
#5: By the way, cats only meow at humans. With other animals, they hiss, spit, and purr
— but never meow. They also tend to greet each other by touching noses.
#6: When it comes to a cat's development, the first year of its life is equal to the
first 15 human years. When a cat turns 2, it turns 25 in human years. And after the
third year of its life, it gets to a place we all know about: one cat year for every
7 human years!
#7: The problem of acne is pretty common among cats. They usually end up developing blackheads
on their chins, which is widely known as feline acne.
#8: Since cats basically evolved as desert animals, they can cope with heat pretty well.
Still, if they feel especially hot or frightened, they secrete sweat through their paws.
#9: Most cats tend to spend about two-thirds of their day sleeping. So the average 9-year-old
cat has been fully awake for only 3 years of its life! Cats also spend about one-third
of their waking hours cleaning themselves up.
#10: A cat’s sense of smell is truly superb — it's approximately 14 times greater than
that of the average human!
#11: One of the reasons why cats clean themselves so often is to lick your scent off! When your
cat rubs against you from nose to tail, it wants to mark you as its own. However, your
furry friend still picks up your smell, which it usually removes from its fur afterward.
#12: Cats aren't really big fans of sweets, simply because they can't taste them! Scientists
believe this happened because of a mutation in their key taste receptor.
#13: Cats have rather sensitive stomachs, so you should be very careful about your furry
friend's menu. Never give your cat onion, garlic, green tomatoes, chocolate, grapes,
or raisins. Milk is also a bad idea as it upsets your kitten's stomach.
#14: Cats have belly buttons too, but they look nothing like ours. It's pretty hard to
find and is usually located about two-thirds of the way down a cat's belly.
#15: Your cat always understands when you say its name…it just chooses to ignore you!
Specialists believe this happens because, historically, cats haven't been domesticated
to listen to people's orders — unlike dogs. So, yup, your furry friend couldn't care less!
#16: While we subconsciously view a black cat as a sign of bad luck, in England, Asia,
France, and many other countries, they're considered to bring prosperity and happiness!
#17: A cat's whiskers aren't there to make them extra cute! They’re covered in numerous
nerve cells and blood vessels. This helps cats detect any changes around them and figure
out whether they can fit into a certain space as their whiskers have a span of the width
of their body.
#18: No matter what kind of music you love, your cat most probably can't stand the sound
of it! However, there's something your friend will like: a special album that composer David
Teie created with animal scientists called Music for Cats. Just play your cat something
from this album and see what happens!
#19: Cats have a special reflective layer in their eyes called the tapetum lucidum.
This layer easily magnifies incoming light and allows cats to see around 6 times better
than we do in the dark and low light. Maybe it should've been called “a cat eye” instead
of “an eagle eye”?
#20: A cat named Stubbs was mayor of the small town of Talkeetna in Alaska for 15 years.
During the election, Stubbs was a cute kitten, but residents later confessed that they were
perfectly happy with their choice, saying that Stubbs was probably the best mayor they've
ever had!
#21: A cat's heart beats way faster than ours with about 110 to 140 beats every single minute.
#22: A tabby cat named Dusty is known as the biggest mama of them all. During her breeding
life, she gave birth to 420 kittens! Obviously, you can find Dusty in one of the editions
of Guinness World Records.
#23: A cat's cerebral cortex contains 300 million neurons. Just for comparison, dogs
have only around 160 million.
#24: Cats can give birth to identical twin kittens. Imagine how cute they would look!
Unfortunately, this happens very rarely.
#25: It's a natural instinct for a kitten to cover its poop. If your cat doesn't do
that, this is its way of showing you who's the true head of the house.
#26: Some ginger tabby cats have freckles around their mouth and even on their eyelids.
#27: While we have 12 muscles in our ears, cats have 32! Of course, this triples their
hearing abilities and allows them to hear you grabbing their favorite food from the
fridge — even if they're 5 doors away. These same muscles also help them rotate their ears
180º!
#28: In 1963, a cat named Félicette was sent to space from France. French specialists even
implanted electrodes in her brain to track all her neurological signals. Luckily, Félicette
survived the trip and became the first cat to go to space!
#29: Cats usually have 5 toes on each of their front paws and 4 toes on their back paws.
Still, the number of toes can vary. For example, the cat with the most toes had 8 of them on
every single one of its paws, which makes 32 toes in total!
#30: Back in 2007, a calico cat named Tama became a station master and greeted passengers
at Kishi Station. Needless to say, the number of passengers increased by 17% that month,
and everybody adored beautiful Tama. The cat died in 2015 of heart failure when she was
16 years old.
#31: Cats can easily jump about 6 times their own length! This is all thanks to the powerful
muscles in their back legs, which allow them to jump onto any surface they like.
#32: Cats have a lower social IQ than dogs, but they compensate perfectly by having better
long-term memory and the ability to solve difficult cognitive problems.
#33: Biologically, a cat's brain is kinda similar to ours. We have almost identical
brain regions that take care of our emotions, so there's a chance that you and your furry
friend feel the same way sometimes.
#34: Researchers from the University of Lincoln found that cats love it when you touch their
faces, especially around their lips, chin, and cheeks. And they absolutely hate it when
you pet them at the base of their tail! It makes them feel very uncomfortable, so don't
do that.
#35: The oldest recorded cat was called Creme Puff. This beauty was born in 1967 and lived
for 38 years! Of course, Creme Puff made it into an edition of Guinness World Records
and is still remembered among cat lovers everywhere.
#36: Cats actually purr thanks to their own special vocal cords! It's basically a small
group of thin bones located between the base of a cat's skull and the root of its tongue.
When a cat feels happy, these muscles contract and create the vibration of the vocal folds
that we call purring.
#37: In the cat world, the concept of left- or right-handedness is a thing too! Most cats
are actually left-pawed!
#38: Psychologists say that people who have cats are logical, practical, and introverted.
They also say that cat lovers tell way more stories about their furry friends than dog
owners.
#39: Experts confirm that living with a cat helps relieve stress, anxiety, and depression.
All this lowers your blood pressure and protects your body from possible heart problems, including
a stroke.
#40: According to statistics, only 24% of kittens from animal shelters get adopted.
Maybe it’s time to change that figure and get yourself a furry friend of your own. You
definitely won't regret having such a cute little companion!
Do you know any other fascinating facts about cats? Tell me in the comment section below.
Don't forget to give this video a like, share it with your friends, and click subscribe.
Stay on the Bright Side!
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