20 Surprising & Lesser Known Facts About Cats

Cats are one of the most beloved pets around the world. They’re cute, cuddly, and often mischievous. But there’s more to these furry creatures than meets the eye. From their fascinating behavior to their unique physical attributes, there are plenty of fun and surprising facts about cats that you might not know.

Cats are the most popular pets in the United States

Cats are among the most popular pets in the United States, with an estimated 94 million cats owned as pets. They are known for their independent nature, affectionate behavior, and unique personalities.

Cats have powerful night vision

Cats have eyes that are specially adapted to see in low-light conditions. Their pupils can expand much wider than humans, and they have a reflective layer behind their retina called the tapetum lucidum that helps them to see better in the dark.

A group of cats is called a clowder

The collective noun for a group of cats is a clowder. The term has its roots in the Old English word “clodder,” which means a “mass” or “clump.”

Cats can make over 100 different sounds

Cats are highly communicative animals and can produce a wide range of vocalizations. They can purr, meow, hiss, growl, chirp, trill, and even yowl.

Cats sleep up to 16 hours a day

Cats are known for their love of sleeping and can sleep for up to 16 hours a day. They often nap throughout the day and are most active at dawn and dusk.

Cats can’t taste sweet things

Cats are one of the few animals that cannot taste sweet flavors. This is because they lack the specific taste receptors that can detect sweet tastes.

Cats have a flexible spine

Cats are known for their flexibility and agility, and their spine plays a key role in their acrobatic movements. Their spine is composed of more than 50 vertebrae, which are connected by elastic ligaments and muscles, allowing them to twist, bend, and contort their bodies in amazing ways.

The first cat in space was French

In 1963, a French cat named Félicette became the first cat in space. She was sent on a suborbital flight by the French government to study the effects of microgravity on animals.

The world’s oldest cat lived to be 38 years old

The oldest cat on record was named Creme Puff, who lived to be 38 years and 3 days old. She was born in 1967 and passed away in 2005.

Cats were once worshipped as gods in ancient Egypt

Cats have been associated with divinity and worship for centuries, particularly in ancient Egypt. They were considered sacred animals and were often depicted in artwork and sculptures as the companions of gods and goddesses.

A cat’s nose is unique, like a human fingerprint

Each cat has a unique nose print that is as unique as a human fingerprint. This makes it possible to identify individual cats based on their nose prints.

Cats have powerful hearing

Cats have an incredible sense of hearing and can detect frequencies that are too high for humans to hear. Their ears are also designed to swivel independently, allowing them to pinpoint the location of sounds with incredible accuracy.

Calico cats are almost always female

Calico cats are known for their distinctive coats, which feature three colors – black, white, and orange. Interestingly, nearly all calico cats are female due to the way genes for coat color are inherited.

Cats can jump up to six times their body length

Cats are incredible jumpers and can jump up to six times their body length in a single bound. They use their powerful hind legs to launch themselves into the air and can land on their feet thanks to their incredible sense of balance.

A cat’s heart beats twice as fast as a human heart

A cat’s heart beats twice as fast as a human heart:

Cats are known for their fast heartbeats. In fact, a cat’s heart beats twice as fast as a human’s heart. On average, a cat’s heart beats between 140 and 220 times per minute, depending on its age, size, and activity level. This allows cats to have better cardiovascular health and endurance, which is why they are such agile and athletic creatures.

Cats have sandpaper-like tongues

Have you ever felt a cat’s tongue? It’s rough and sandpaper-like. This is because a cat’s tongue is covered in tiny spines called papillae, which help the cat to groom itself and remove dirt and loose hair from its coat. The papillae also help cats to scrape meat off bones, making it easier for them to eat.

The record for the longest cat jump is over 7 feet

Cats are known for their incredible jumping abilities, and some can jump remarkable distances. In fact, the record for the longest cat jump is over 7 feet! Cats are able to jump such great distances due to their powerful hind legs, which give them the strength and speed to launch themselves high into the air.

Cats can sense earthquakes before they happen

Cats have a unique ability to sense earthquakes before they happen. It’s believed that cats are able to detect changes in the Earth’s magnetic field, which occurs before an earthquake strikes. This allows cats to sense the impending danger and take action to protect themselves and their owners.

The richest cat in the world inherited $13 million

When it comes to wealthy pets, few can compete with the late Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette. The world’s richest cat inherited $13 million after Lagerfeld’s death in 2019. Choupette has been living a luxurious lifestyle, complete with a personal chef, maids, and bodyguards.

The first cat video was recorded in 1894

Cat videos have been a popular form of entertainment for decades, but did you know that the first cat video was recorded in 1894? The 20-second clip shows two cats boxing in a ring, and was created by Thomas Edison’s film company. Since then, cat videos have taken over the internet, with millions of people watching and sharing them every day.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a cat lover or not, these fun and surprising facts about cats are sure to impress you. From their incredible physical abilities to their unique personalities, it’s no wonder why cats are such popular pets around the world.