The domestic cat, a creature shrouded in mystery and captivating quirks, has been a constant companion to humans for millennia.
They’ve journeyed into space, made their homes inside people’s hearts, and become an integral part of pop culture.
Here’s 12 little-known facts about these remarkable animals and their extraordinary journey alongside us humans.
1. Your Cat Doesn’t Have a Sweet Tooth
You’ve probably noticed your cat turning their nose up at sugary treats like candy or cookies. Well, there’s a very good reason for that – cats are physiologically unable to taste anything sweet!
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As obligate carnivores who naturally eat only meat, cats have no evolutionary need to taste sugary foods found in plants. A 2005 study found that cats lack the sweet taste receptor protein that allows other mammals to detect sweetness. (ref)
2. The Mystery of the Third Eyelid
If you look at your cat’s eye closely, you may notice a weird eyelid flicking across it when they blink.
Don’t worry, it’s not something from a horror movie – it’s their nictitating membrane, a special eyelid that helps keep their eyes lubricated and protected.
This third eyelid gives cats excellent peripheral vision, allowing them to easily track and hunt prey from the side. It also shields their eyes from debris when digging or running through tall grass. An incredibly handy feature for the talented feline hunter!
3. Fewer Toes on Their Back Paws
Take a look at your cat’s cute little feet – you’ll notice the back paws only have 4 toes while the front paws have 5 toes each. This isn’t just a quirky design, it actually helps make cats incredible hunters and climbers.
The reduced number of digits on the back paws evolved to give cats extra dexterity and balance when pouncing on prey or scaling trees and surfaces. Having fewer toes on the back feet allows them to swivel and rotate their ankles better for jumping and climbing.
4. Their Hairballs Do Have a Name
As much as we love our feline companions, dealing with hairballs is not the most pleasant experience.
But did you know that the technical term for a hairball is a “bezoar“? These compact masses of undigested hair, moisture, and digestive fluid are a common occurrence in cats due to their fastidious grooming habits.
5. Cats Can Be Right or Left-Pawed
Just like humans can be right or left-handed, research shows cats tend to favor either their right or left front paw for certain tasks. A study published in 2015 found that male cats are more likely to be left-pawed, while females lean towards being right-pawed. (ref)
Researchers think this split stems from functional differences in the way male and female cat brains are organized and process information.
6. Felicette, the Space Cat
The first cat in space was a French cat named Felicette in 1963. While we often hear about dogs like Laika, the first animal to orbit Earth, cats have also played a role in space exploration. In 1963, she was launched aboard a Véronique AG1 rocket and successfully returned to Earth after a short suborbital flight.
7. Cat Door Was a Newton Invention
You might be surprised to learn that the famous scientist Isaac Newton is credited with inventing the cat door.
According to legend, Newton was constantly interrupted by his cats scratching at the door while he was working. To solve this problem, he cut a small hole in the door and covered it with a cloth flap, allowing his cats to come and go as they pleased.
8. Cats Generally Live Long
Cats are known for their relatively long lifespans compared to many other pets. However, the oldest recorded cat, named Creme Puff, lived an astonishing 38 years and 3 days! Nine lives, indeed.
Born on August 3, 1967, in Austin, Texas, Creme Puff lived a pampered life with her owner, Jake Perry, who also owned several other cats that lived well into their 30s.
9. What Do You Call a Group of Cats
While a group of young cats is called a “litter,” a group of adult cats is known as a “clowder.” This term comes from the Middle English word “clodder,” meaning to clot or mass together.
The term first appeared around the 1800s. It’s thought to have been derived from the idea that cats often cluster together in groups, especially when they’re seeking warmth or safety.
10. They’re The Only Domesticated Feline
While there are dozens of feline species like lions, tigers, and leopards, the domestic house cat is the only feline in the world that has been domesticated by humans. All other feline species remain entirely wild animals.
Scientists believe domestic cats evolved from the African wildcat around 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region. (ref) As wildcats started living around early human settlements, they gradually evolved into the domestic feline species felis catus that we know today through natural selection and domestication.
11. They Have Fewer Teeth Than Dogs
While dogs have around 42 teeth in their mouth, the domestic cat has a relatively tiny set of just 30 teeth. But this smaller number isn’t a deficiency – it’s an evolutionary adaptation for their meat-eating lifestyle.
Since cats shear and rip meat rather than chewing it like dogs do, they don’t need as many teeth for grinding plant matter. Their sleek set of teeth is perfectly designed for slicing up their prey.
12. Cats Rule The World
After being domesticated, cats didn’t stay in one place for long. Humans quickly realized how valuable they were for controlling rodents and brought them along as they explored the world.
Over thousands of years, domestic cats spread across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas through human trade and travel routes. They were prized as efficient rodent hunters on ships and in settlements, facilitating their global expansion to nearly every corner of the world.
The Enduring Allure of Cats
Cats have captivated humans for centuries, and as we continue to uncover more about their remarkable characteristics, our fascination with these incredible creatures only grows.
And their enduring presence in pop culture, from ancient Egyptian art to modern-day memes, is a testament to their timeless appeal.
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.