Cats have captivated humans for millennia, but these enigmatic felines still hold many secrets. A recent study published in Scientific Reports revealed that cats can recognize their own names,1 adding another layer to our understanding of feline cognition.
This discovery is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the fascinating world of cats. Here are 18 astonishing facts about cats that will make you see these beloved pets in a whole new light.
1. Cats have better memory than dogs
Contrary to popular belief, cats outperform dogs in certain memory tests. Research shows that cats can recall information for up to 10 minutes,(ref) while dogs typically max out at 5 minutes.
2. A cat’s nose print is unique, like a human fingerprint
Each feline’s nose has a distinct pattern of bumps and ridges, making it as unique as a human fingerprint. Some pet identification companies even use nose prints as a method of identification.
3. Cats can drink seawater
Unlike humans, cats possess highly efficient kidneys that can filter out salt and use the water content from seawater to hydrate themselves.(ref) This ability is believed to be an evolutionary adaptation from their desert-dwelling ancestors.
4. The first cat in space was French
While Laika the dog is famous for being the first animal in orbit, few know about Félicette, a French cat who became the first feline in space in 1963. She returned to Earth safely after a 15-minute suborbital flight.
5. Cats have a third eyelid
Called the nictitating membrane, this third eyelid helps protect the eye and keep it moist. It’s usually only visible when a cat is unwell or extremely relaxed.
6. Male cats are typically left-pawed, females are right-pawed
A study of 44 cats found that males showed a strong preference for using their left paw, while females favored their right.(ref) This preference was consistent across various tasks.
7. Cats can’t taste sweetness
Felines lack the genetic ability to detect sweet flavors. This is due to a mutation in a key taste receptor gene, which explains why cats aren’t drawn to sugary treats like other animals.
8. A group of cats is called a “clowder”
While most people know a group of dogs as a pack, fewer are aware that a group of cats is termed a “clowder.” Other collective nouns for cats include “glaring” and “pounce.”
9. Cats spend 70% of their lives sleeping
On average, cats sleep for 13 to 16 hours a day. This high sleep requirement is believed to be an energy-conserving adaptation from their wild ancestors.
10. The richest cat in the world inherited $12.5 million
When Italian real estate mogul Maria Assunta died in 2011, she left her entire $12.5 million fortune to her cat, Tommaso. The cat’s net worth surpassed that of many celebrities.
11. Cats can jump up to six times their length
A cat’s powerful hind legs allow them to jump up to six times their body length in a single bound. This incredible feat would be equivalent to a human jumping the length of a basketball court in one leap.
12. A cat’s hearing is better than a dog’s
Cats can hear sounds at higher frequencies than both dogs and humans. They can detect sounds as high as 64 kHz, compared to 45 kHz in dogs and 23 kHz in humans.
13. The oldest known pet cat existed 9,500 years ago
Archaeologists discovered a cat carefully buried with its human owner in a Neolithic village in Cyprus, dating back to around 7500 BCE. This finding suggests that cats were domesticated much earlier than previously thought.(ref)
14. Cats have 32 muscles in each ear
These numerous muscles allow cats to independently rotate their ears 180 degrees, helping them pinpoint the exact location of sounds. This ability is crucial for hunting and avoiding predators.
15. A cat’s purr can promote bone density & healing
The frequency of a cat’s purr (between 25 and 150 Hz) has been shown to improve bone density and promote healing. Some researchers suggest this might be why cats are able to heal quickly from injuries.(ref)
16. Cats can see in near total darkness
Feline eyes have a tapetum lucidum, a layer of tissue that reflects light back through the retina, enhancing their night vision. This allows cats to see in light levels six times lower than what humans need.
17. The record for the longest cat ever is 48.5 inches
Stewie, a Maine Coon cat from Nevada, held the Guinness World Record for the longest domestic cat, measuring 48.5 inches from nose to tail tip. He sadly passed away in 2013, but his record still stands.
18. Cats have contributed to the extinction of 33 species
While adorable, domestic cats are considered one of the world’s most invasive species. Their hunting instincts have contributed to the extinction of at least 33 species of birds, mammals, and reptiles.
Source:
1. Scientific Reports
Read Next:
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.