Here are some mind-blowing facts about Cats.
First, cats are among the most popular pets worldwide, with an estimated 100 million cats living in homes worldwide.
The record for the longest cat ever!
When it comes to cats, there are some big ones out there!
The record for the longest cat ever was a Maine Coon called Stewie, and he was measured at 48.5 inches.
However, the record for the tallest cat belonged to Arcturus at a whopping 19.05 inches tall!
Those are some big cats!
Who invented the Cat Flap?
How Stuff Works writes that when Isaac Newton was working on his experiments at the University of Cambridge, he was constantly interrupted by his cats scratching at the door.
So he called the Cambridge carpenter to saw two holes in the door, one for the mother cat and one for her kittens!
These holes can still be seen at the university today.
This humorous story demonstrates how inventive and resourceful Newton was and how important it is to have a place to house one’s animals in a busy city like Cambridge.
The Cat Astronaut
You’ve probably heard of monkeys and dogs in space, but did you know that a cat also ventured into the great unknown?
On October 18th, 1963, Felicette, also known as ‘Astrocat,’ became the first and only cat to go to space.
Astrocat was a French military experiment designed to study how a cat responded to weightlessness and high-velocity atmospheric changes.
The mission was a success, and the cat came back safely.
Though there have been other animals (and even humans) in space, including an American astronaut in 2006, Felicette is still the first and only cat to have traveled beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
Ancient Egyptians would shave off their eyebrows when their cats died.
According to the Ancient History Encyclopedia, Herodotus wrote in 440BC that when a cat died in Ancient Egyptian times, the family members would shave off their eyebrows in mourning.
Now that’s an exciting cat fact!
Not only did Ancient Egyptians care about their cats, but they also took their pet’s death very seriously.
This is shown by Herodotus’s statement from over two thousand years ago.
The richest cat in the world
Every year, Guinness World Records updates its list of the wealthiest cats in the world.
In 2018, a cat named Blackie from the United Kingdom cut a net worth of £7 million.
This is because his millionaire owner passed away in 2017, refused to recognize his family in his will, and instead gave his 7-million-pound fortune to Blackie.
We can’t believe that an exciting cat fact like this is true!
The Fastest Domestic Cat in the World!
If you’ve watched your house cat charging around the living room when they’re feeling lively, you know that it can hit speeds of around 30mph, which is so fast that it could beat Usain Bolt in a 200-meter dash!
But you may not have known that cats can reach speeds of around 30mph – which is pretty amazing when you think about it!
Cats can get these high speeds thanks to their powerful hindquarters and muscular legs.
Their hindquarters are specially adapted to running, and they can keep up this speed for a long time.
Some scientists believe that cats can outrun dogs when it comes to speed!
So, the next time you watch your furry friend sprinting around the living room, marvel at their quickness and speed!
The oldest cat in the world!
Recently, it was announced that the oldest known cat in the world is 38 years old!
Merlin, a black and white cat from Torquay, UK, holds the record for the loudest purr by a domestic cat.
His purr is 67.8db; for context, this is nearly the same volume as a shower!
Most cats purr at around 25db.
Sadly, Merlin recently passed away, but his legacy remains the oldest living cat (38 years and three days) and the loudest purr ever recorded (see below).
The record for the loudest cat purr!
The record for the loudest purr by a domestic cat is currently held by Merlin, a black and white cat from Torquay, UK.
Merlin’s purr reached a decibel level of 678dB, which is more than twice the sound level humans can hear comfortably.
As a result, many experts are concerned about the long-term effects this noise level may have on Merlin and other cats living in close quarters with humans.
The cat that can perform 24 tricks in a minute!
Didga, the cat, can perform 24 tricks in one minute!
Didga was born with a natural talent for performing tricks, which she showcased at an early age.
She started by rolling over, progressed to climbing a tree, and then onto a skateboard before concluding her performance with a series of amazing jumps.
This talented feline can astonish audiences with her amazing feats, proving that cats— long thought to be slow and clumsy when performing tricks — can outdo any dog in showmanship.
Moreover, this fantastic calico cat completed her astonishing display in just one minute.
This record will surely be hard to beat!
FAQs
Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?
No, cats do not always land on their feet.
This is because they can sustain severe injuries if they fall from a high enough height.
However, cats can naturally right themselves in mid-air, so they often land on their feet even if they fall from a great height.
Is there an exciting cat fact to know we didn’t mention?
Cats can make over 100 sounds, while dogs only make around 10.
Cats also have better night vision than humans and can see six times better in low light.
Have you ever noticed that cats walk like camels and giraffes?
Yes! Cats share a lot of anatomical features with these desert-dwelling animals.
For example, they have long necks and legs relative to their body size. This helps them stay cool in hot climates.
Additionally, they both have padded feet that help them walk and avoid making too much noise.
Ever wondered whether your feline is left or right-handed?
Some experts believe that cats tend to be right-handed since they use their right paws more often when playing or hunting.
Did you know that it was thought that Egyptians had initially domesticated the cat?
A 2016 study published in the journal Nature found that cats may have domesticated themselves rather than being domesticated by humans.
The study compared the genomes of domestic cats and their wild ancestors and found that the genetic changes associated with domestication were more likely to have arisen spontaneously than to have been selected by humans.
This suggests that cats may have started living with humans independently rather than being brought into human homes as pets.
What is the weirdest thing about cats?
There are a few things that can be considered weird about cats.
For one, they are known for their love of napping and can sleep up to 16 hours daily.
Secondly, they have a very keen sense of smell and can detect certain odors that humans cannot.
Lastly, cats have sharp claws and teeth, which can be used for hunting or self-defense.
