Interesting facts about cats

Cats are considered one of the most mysterious animals in the world, with a variety of stories and myths associated with them. People have been friends with furry pets for more than 8000 years and never get tired of discovering new facts about cats. To understand the habits, instincts and characteristics of these graceful creatures, it is necessary to know the history of their origin.

Historical background

The cat family separated from other tetrapods about 40 million years ago. They are considered the oldest representatives among all mammals. The oldest domestic cat was discovered in Cyprus in a grave that is over 9,5 thousand years old. In general, there are more than 40 breeds of domestic cats in the world. The first civilization that tamed these animals was Ancient Egypt. The cat really loves home comfort, guaranteed food, it is convenient for her to live with a person. But at the same time it remains independent and free from subjugation.  

Domesticated cats quickly settled around the world: they began to live in China and India 500 years before our era. And already in the 100s of our era, cats spread across Europe and Russia, and only in the XNUMXth century reached North America. 

Interesting facts about cats include the following: in ancient Greece, they were extremely rare and valued more than lions. But in Asia, to this day, people use cats for food. If in medieval Europe the cat was considered a symbol of black magic, then in Russia it was never persecuted for its connection with the devil. The modern cat still has the right to enter the temple on a par with the parishioners.

Scientific facts about cats

Despite the fact that cats have large eyes that allow them to hunt in low light, these animals are myopic. Moreover, it is domestic cats that see poorly, unlike their street relatives. 

But they feel objects with their mustaches and, in general, have an excellent sense of smell. For example, in the mouth of a cat there is an additional section called the vomeronasal organ. He helps her identify chemical clues about her habitat and discover her feline “neighbors”. 

When a cat laps milk or water, its tongue extends at a rate of 1 meter per second. And the surface of her nose is as unique as human fingerprints. 

Surprisingly, the cat is not able to get down from the tree upside down due to the device of the claws. To descend from the tree, she retreats, backing away. But the cat is so jumpy that it is able to take a height that exceeds its height by 5-6 times.

Interesting Cat Facts for Kids

Not only the Russian dogs Belka and Strelka managed to visit space, but also the French representative of the cat family. In October 1963, the cat Felicette rose to a height of 210 kilometers above the Earth. Fifteen minutes in space made her a national heroine of France. 

Historically, magic and witchcraft are inherent in cats. Therefore, they often become heroes of children’s fairy tales and cartoons. So, in the original Italian version of Cinderella, the fairy godmother was a cat. And the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland has become the most comical and mysterious character in world literature. The first cartoon cat was Felix, drawn in 1919. And, for example, 200 cats live in the Disneyland park. At night they catch mice, and during the day they sleep in houses built for them.

Many cat owners note that they soothe them with purrs. Cats perfectly remember the state of human sadness and behave in such a way as to help their owner calm down. But they do it for their own benefit. Cats never approach their owners if they feel that they will be pushed or hit by them. 

The cat uses its ability to meow exclusively for communication with humans. And the more people talk to cats, the more intensely they meow in response.

Like humans, cats have 4 temperaments. For example, British and Persians are calm phlegmatic, Russian blues and Maine Coons are active sanguine, Thais and Bengals are tireless choleric, sphinxes are thoughtful melancholic.

Today it is difficult to imagine your life without these amazing creatures. And although scientists have discovered many facts about them, hundreds of feline secrets remain undiscovered.