New Delhi: On August 8, people worldwide will come together to celebrate International Cat Day. This special day honours one of humanity’s oldest and most beloved animal companions. Cats have held a special place in people’s lives and were even revered as divine creatures in ancient Egypt. They captivate us with their independence, curiosity, and fearless spirit. Their exquisite physical features and the ability to self-heal serve as a testament to their remarkable nature. In this article, let us learn some interesting facts about cats.
Cats: Facts to know
Cats age differently from humans. During the first year of life, they age at a rate equivalent to 15 human years. The second year of life is equivalent to 25 human years, and after that, they age more slowly at a rate of 4-5 human years per cat year.
Cats have impressive ear abilities. They can rotate their ears 180 degrees, and with 32 muscles in each ear, they can accurately pinpoint the source of sounds, unlike humans with only six ear muscles.
This heightened sensitivity allows cats to excel in the wild, where they can hear subtle noises their prey make, such as those from rodents or birds.
Domestic cats spend about 70 per cent of their day sleeping and 15 per cent grooming, which conserves energy for hunting, even though they don’t hunt at home. Adult cats sleep for 16-20 hours a day, while kittens and older cats can sleep for nearly 24 hours.
The largest male cats in breeds, such as the Siberian, Ragdoll, Maine Coon, and British Shorthair, can weigh around 20 pounds. These breeds are known for their large size and friendly personalities.
Despite their excellent vision, cats have a blind spot under their noses. When prey approaches, they rely more on their sense of smell.
They can also possess an exceptional sense of smell and recall as many as 200 distinct scents.
Meowing is not an innate language for cats; they developed it to communicate with humans. In the wild, adult cats communicate with various non-verbal cues like smell, facial expressions, body language, and touch. However, domestic cats meow to communicate their needs to humans.
Cats have variations in the number of toes, with some having extra toes. The record for the highest number of toes on one cat is 32.
In many cultures and myths, white cats symbolise purity and happiness, and some people believe that dreaming of a white cat brings good luck.
Cats utilise their whiskers for both navigation and communication. While it’s commonly known that cats use their whiskers to navigate the dark, they also use them to communicate. These specialised hairs allow cats to convey messages to other animals and humans. For instance, when a cat’s whiskers are pointed forward, it indicates feeling confident and at ease. Conversely, if they are pulled back, it suggests that it is feeling scared or threatened.
A group of cats is known as a “clowder,” and a male cat is commonly referred to as a “tom”, while a female cat is often called a “queen”.
International Cat Day is observed every year on August 8 worldwide. There are many facts about furry animals, but on this occasion, let us learn a few interesting facts about cats. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
