Who doesn’t love cats? While these intrepid little creatures have certain habits common to all – like eating and sleeping, for example – there are actually plenty of other facts about your favorite pet that you might not know.
1. Cats don’t have any taste buds
Cats are unique among mammals in that they don’t have any taste buds. This is because they lack a protein called Tas1r2, which is responsible for tasting sweet, bitter, and umami flavors. cats also have fewer smell receptors than other animals. This means that they’re not as interested in food as other animals are.
2. Cats sleep for 16 hours a day
On average, cats sleep for 16 hours a day. This is because they are light sleepers and their sleep is interrupted by short periods of wakefulness. Cats also spend a lot of time grooming themselves. This helps them to stay clean and to remove any parasites that might be on their fur.
3. Cats can jump up to six times their height
Cats are very agile animals and can jump up to six times their height. They use their powerful hind legs to propel themselves into the air. When they land, they use their tail to help them balance.
4. Cats have four toes on each front paw and five on each back paw
5. Cats use their whiskers to tell the world about them
Most people know that cats use their whiskers to help them navigate in the dark. What many people don’t know is that whiskers also serve as a communication tool.
Cats use their whiskers to send signals to other animals and humans. When a cat’s whiskers are pointing forwards, it means they are feeling confident and relaxed. If their whiskers are pulled back, it means they are feeling scared or threatened.
Whiskers also help cats to understand their surroundings. They are very sensitive and can detect small changes in air currents. This helps them to avoid obstacles and predators.
Overall, whiskers are an important part of a cat’s life. They use them to communicate with others and to understand their surroundings.
6. They survive by eating small rodents, birds, frogs, and insects
Cats are felines that are known for their hunting skills and their ability to survive in the wild. One of the most amazing facts about cats is that they survive by eating small rodents, birds, frogs, and insects. This is because they have sharp claws and teeth that help them kill and eat their prey.
7. Cats are also able to see in the dark better than humans.
This is because they have more rods in their eyes, which are sensitive to low levels of light.
8. All kittens are born with blue eyes, It’s true!
However, as they grow older, their eye color will change to its permanent shade. Kittens also have dark fur, which helps them camouflage while they hunt prey in low light.
9. Cats spend around 75% of their lives sleeping.
When they’re not snoozing, they’re usually grooming themselves. In fact, cats spend about 30% of their waking hours grooming themselves.
10. Most cats are right-pawed
Meaning they prefer to use their right paw when doing things like scratching or cleaning themselves. But some cats are left-pawed, and a small minority are ambidextrous (able to use both paws equally well).
11. Cats have a third eyelid that helps them clean their eyes and keep them moist.
12. Cats can run up to 30 miles per hour.
13. Cats usually live for around 15 years, but some have been known to live for over 20 years.
14. A group of cats is called a clowder
while a male cat is called a tom, and a female cat is called a queen.