Cats are the most mysterious creatures that have been winning people's hearts for thousands of years. Their mysterious habits, intelligent manners, and charming appearance have made them incredibly popular pets!
Some cat owners think they know everything about their pets. We bet you haven't heard these funny and amazing facts below!
1. Cats walk like camels and giraffes
The sequence of a cat's gait is the same as that of these giants: the animals begin with their front and rear right legs (simultaneously), and then move both left legs.
With this gait, called an inelegant gait, half of the body moves forward at the same time.
This feature is found in a small group of animals: camels, giraffes, and brown bears; it is less common in horses.
2. The ancient Egyptians shaved their eyebrows when their cats died.
Modern members of the cat family cannot even dream of the royal honours that the Egyptians bestowed upon their fortunate ancestors.
Burial of an Egyptian cat. John Reinhard Weguelin, 1886.
According to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who lived in the 5th century BC, when a cat died in Ancient Egypt, the entire family would mourn and shave their eyebrows as a sign of mourning.
3. Genetically, domestic cats are 95.6% similar to tigers.
It's an impressive fact, but our whiskered friends really do share 95.6% of their genetic makeup with tigers!
They have a lot in common in terms of behaviour, for example, they mark their territory in the same way, track prey, and attack.
Perhaps it is because tiger blood flows through their veins that cats behave like true gladiators in battle.
Brave fluffy warriors in battle mode can resist even the biggest and most dangerous predators!
4. Cats can reach speeds of up to 48 km/h.
If you have ever watched a little kitten, you have probably noticed how swift and enthusiastic it is when running around the house.
These pets are real sprinters, so agile that some of them could beat Usain Bolt, the fastest man on Earth, in a 200-metre dash!
The maximum speed of an Egyptian Mau cat in a short sprint is 800 metres per minute! However, long distances tire them out.
5. Cats can be right-handed or left-handed.
In some foxes, one of the paws is dominant. Thus, when stepping over obstacles, the animal gives preference to it.
A study conducted by Irish zoologists from Queen's University (Belfast) found that females prefer to use their right front paw more often, while males prefer their left. Moreover, there are almost as many left-handed seals as right-handed ones.
6. 30 muscles! And that's just in one ear!
Animal lovers know that cats have such sensitive hearing that they can hear a mouse rustling in the background even when there is a loud noise.
But few people know that a cat's ear consists of 32 muscles. This anatomical feature provides flexibility and allows cats to turn their ears 180 degrees, press them against their heads, move them, and fold them as they please!
7. Cats may change colour over time.
Owners of Siamese kittens, could you take a closer look at your pets? They carry the albino gene, which manifests itself at a body temperature of 36 degrees Celsius.
This means that your pet's fur can change colour depending on whether it is cold or hot.
For this reason, babies are born white, but after a week their limbs – the coldest parts of the body – begin to darken, and their fur takes on its characteristic spotted colouring.
8. Cats are capable of making up to 100 different sounds!
Cats' vocal abilities are on par with birds' musical talents. These cute, fluffy performers can sing in any key, producing around a hundred different sounds, while dogs can only manage 10!
They meow, hiss, growl, snort, howl, and purr.
The ability to create complex combinations of sounds, change intonation, tone, and intensity is due to the animal's need to express its emotions and desires, as well as its flexible vocal apparatus.
Here are just a few facts that break the usual perception of these fantastic creatures and prove how little we know about our pets!
What was new to you? 🤯 Write in the comments.
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