New Delhi: Cats are adored and incredibly prevalent as pets worldwide, with their population surpassing 1 billion. This number encompasses many cats, including about 100 million wild cats like cougars, lions, and tigers. A substantial portion, approximately 480 million, consists of stray cats, while over 350 million cats enjoy the comforts of home alongside their human companions. On International Cat Day, which is observed on August 8 every year, let us look at seven famous cats from around the world.
Famous Cats in the World
Felicette, the Astronaut Cat
In 1963, a pioneering feline named Felicette boldly ventured into space aboard a French launch capsule, marking the first time a cat had embarked on such a journey. Following liftoff from a desert base in Algeria, Felicette endured a 15-minute sub-orbital flight and gracefully descended to Earth using a specially designed parachute. Although the decision to send a cat to space was contentious even then, Felicette remains the only cat to have returned from space alive and was recently honoured with a bronze memorial outside the International Space University in Strasbourg.
Tardar Sauce, the Grumpy Cat
Grumpy Cat became an internet sensation in 2012 when a photo of her grumpy face went viral on Reddit. Many people initially thought the photo had been altered, but her distinctive grumpy expression was real. Despite her perpetually grumpy appearance, her owners described her as a happy cat. Grumpy Cat had a form of dwarfism and her unique looks resulted from her parents, a Calico Short Hair and a grey tabby. Although she resembled a Snowshoe or Ragdoll, her true lineage was a blend of these breeds.
Tibbles, the Exterminator
Cats, while often seen as cute and cuddly pets, can be formidable predators in the wild. In fact, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), cats are among the 100 worst invasive species in the world. One notable example is Tibbles, a seemingly unremarkable lighthouse keeper’s cat. Tibbles is credited with single-handedly causing the extinction of an entire species. The species in question is the flightless Stephens Island wren, which was once abundant in New Zealand. However, the wrens were confined to a small area just one square mile near Wellington due to rats and human settlers hunting them. Unfortunately, Tibbles arrived at the local lighthouse and swiftly eradicated the population of these tiny birds.
Orangey, Cat from Breakfast at Tiffany’s
If you’re looking for famous cats in movies, Orangey is the one to remember. He is best known for his role as ‘Cat’ in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, where he starred alongside Audrey Hepburn. Orangey’s acting skills were so impressive that he won the Patsy Award twice. Beyond Breakfast at Tiffany’s, he also appeared in other films and TV shows such as The Diary of Anne Frank, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and The Beverly Hillbillies. Despite his success, Orangey had a reputation for being one of the most difficult-acting cats in history. He would often bite and scratch his human co-stars, and his work ethic was lacking at times, as he would run away when he didn’t feel like acting, causing delays in filming until he was found.
Unsinkable Sam, the Sailor
During World War II, there was a cat named Unsinkable Sam. He survived three sinkings in six months: the Bismarck, the HMS Cossack, and the HMS Ark Royal. Each time, he floated to safety on debris and continued to serve with whoever saved him. Some historians think that parts of his story might be exaggerated, but his legend lives on. Despite his amazing survival ability, some might say he wasn’t a perfect mascot, as the ships he was on didn’t last long.
Oscar, the Therapist cat
Oscar was a therapy cat who lived at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Providence, Rhode Island, United States, starting in 2005. In 2007, he gained attention when an article by geriatrician David Dosa featured him in the New England Journal of Medicine. According to Dosa, Oscar seemed to predict when terminally ill patients were about to pass away by choosing to nap next to them a few hours beforehand. It’s believed that Oscar might have been sensing the lack of movement in these patients or detecting the smell of biochemicals released by dying cells. His remarkable abilities were also the focus of Dr Dosa’s 2010 book, “Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat.” Oscar passed away at the age of 17 on February 22, 2022, after a brief illness.
Larry, the Downing Street cat
Larry, a British domestic tabby cat, was born around January 2007 and has held the esteemed position of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office at 10 Downing Street since 2011. Despite residing at the residence of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, he is looked after by the Downing Street staff and is not the personal property of the Prime Minister. Over the years, Larry has been a constant presence at 10 Downing Street, having lived there during the tenures of six Prime Ministers: David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and Keir Starmer.
Every year, on August 8, International Cat Day is celebrated across the world. There are millions of cats in the world, but very few have become famous. In this article, we will learn about some famous cats that have made it to the list. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
