Cat is a mammal belonging to Carnivora order, found inhabiting almost all the countries of the world. It forms one of the most popular pets kept by people and has been associated with humans since the last 9,500 years. Cats are skilled predators and have been known to hunt more than 1000 living species, for the purpose of getting food. Almost all the senses of cats are highly developed, except for their daylight vision. They are one of the sleepiest animals on this earth, spending about 13-14 hours in a day in sleeping, on an average. To get some interesting facts and amazing information on cats, read on further.
Facts about Cats
Binomial Name: Felis catus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. catus
Breeds: Over 33
Weight: 2.5 to 7 kg (5.5 to 16 pounds)
Largest Breed: Ragdoll
Heartbeat: 110 to 140 beats/minute
Diet: Canivorous
Daily Sleeping Time: 13 to 14 hours
Body Temperature: 38 to 39 deg C (101 to 102.2 deg F)
Natural Habitat: Throughout the world
Age of Maturity (males): 5 to 7 months
Age of Maturity (females): 4 to 10 months
Gestation Period: 63 to 65 days
Number of Offspring: 3 to 5
Interesting & Amazing Information on Cats
- A cat almost never "meows" at another cat. It is a gesture that it reserves only for humans.
- Blue-eyed cats, that also have white fur, have been seen to have greater instances of genetic deafness.
- Calico cats are almost always female.
- Cat is one of the very few animals that walk by moving first, both their left feet and then, both their right feet.
- Cats can see in color and are only partially color-blind.
- Cats communicate through various vocalizations, such as meowing, purring, hissing, growling, squeaking, chirping, clicking and grunting.
- Cats do not have one of two genes necessary to taste sweetness.
- Cats have very advanced hearing, eyesight, taste, and touch receptors. This makes them one of the most sensitive mammals.
- Cats wag their tails when they are in a stage of conflict.
- Only domestic cat species holds its tail vertically while walking. All wild cat species holds the tails horizontally or tucked between their legs.
- The ‘quivering tail’ of as cat is an expression of love.
- The color of a kitten's eyes changes as it grows older.
- The largest known litter of a cat can be traced to South Africa. A Persian cat, named Bluebell, gave birth to 14 kittens, all of which survived.
- The night vision of cat is superior to that of humans; however its daylight vision is inferior.
- The nose pad of a cat has rings on it, in the form of a pattern. This ridged pattern of a cat is unique, just like the fingerprint of a human.
- The oldest cat till date was Puss, from England. It died in 1939, just one day after its 36th birthday.
- When a cat is happy, it will knead with its paws.
