14 fun facts about cats every cat lover should know
14 fun facts about cats every cat lover should know
From the unusual way they walk to how big the biggest cat is, we bet you’ve never heard some of these fun feline trivia! Then, check out our cat info below.
Cats are an enigma that have captured the hearts of people for thousands of years. Their mysterious personality and adorable looks have made them an incredibly popular pet. With so many cats around us, it sure means everyone knows everything they can about them, right? Wrong! There are so many cat trivia you’ve probably never heard of , from the largest cat in the world to the amazing way they walk.
Read on to learn more. We bet you’ve never heard some of these cat trivia!
Fun and interesting facts about cats
1. The oldest known domestic cat existed 9,500 years ago
This interesting trivia about cats will amaze you at your next dinner party. Did you know that the Egyptians were originally thought to have domesticated the cat? But in 2004 French archaeologists discovered a 9,500-year-old cat grave in Cyprus. It is therefore the oldest known domesticated cat and predates Egyptian art on cats by over 4,000 years!
2. Cats spend 70% of their lives sleeping
If you thought cats spend most of their lives sleeping, you were right. According to the Veterinary Hub, cats spend 70% of their lives sleeping, which is about 13-16 hours a day. It’s a cat’s life!
3. A cat was mayor of an Alaskan city for 20 years
An orange tabby cat named Stubbs has been the mayor of Talkeetna, a small Alaskan town, for 20 years! He had several uncontested elections and, although he had no legislative power, he was loved by locals and tourists alike.
4. The record for the longest cat ever stands at 48.5 inches
Domestic cats are usually considered to be rather small and delicate creatures. But did you know that the longest cat in the world was a Maine Coon named Stewie and measured 48.5 inches? While the record for the tallest cat belonged to Arcturus, standing at 19.05 inches tall! These are big cats.
5. The richest cat in the world had 7 million euros
The richest cat in the world according to Guinness World Records is Blackie. When his millionaire master died, he refused to acknowledge his family in his will and instead gave his £7 million fortune to Blackie!
6. Cats walk like camels and giraffes
Have you ever noticed that cats walk like camels and giraffes? Their walking sequence involves using both right feet, followed by both left feet, so as to move half of the body forward at the same time.
Camels and giraffes are the only animals that walk this way. Do not you believe it? Watch this video !
7. Isaac Newton invented the cat flap
The scientist is most famous for calculating gravity, but Isaac Newton is also believed to have invented the cat door. How Stuff Works writes that when Newton was working on his experiments at Cambridge University he was continually interrupted by his cats scratching at the door. So he called the carpenter from Cambridge to make two holes in the door, one for the mother cat and one for his kittens! It seems that these holes are still visible today at the university.
8. In 1963 a cat went into space
You’ve heard of monkeys and dogs in space, but did you know a cat has also braved the great unknown? On October 18, 1963 Felicette, also known as “Astrocat”, was the first and only cat to go into space.
9. Ancient Egyptians shaved their eyebrows when their cats died
According to the Encyclopedia of Ancient History, Herodotus wrote in 440 BC that in Ancient Egyptian times, when a house cat died, family members shaved their eyebrows as a sign of mourning. Here’s an interesting trivia about cats!
10. Domestic cats share 95.6% of their genetic makeup with tigers
This fact about cats will blow your mind. One study found that our little house cats share 95.6% of their genetic makeup with tigers!
They also share many of the same behaviors, such as scent and urine marking, stalking of prey, and attacking.
11. A domestic cat can reach speeds of 30 miles per hour
If you’ve observed your little kitty running around the living room when he’s feeling frisky, you know that cats are pretty fast, but you’ll never believe that fact. They can reach speeds of around 30 miles per hour, so fast they could beat Marcell Jacobs in a 100m dash!
12. The oldest cat in the world was 38 years old!
The oldest cat ever lived was 38 years and 3 days old when he died. Creme Puff, born on August 3, 1967, lived until August 6, 2005; her owner Jake Perry also owned the previous oldest cat record holder, Grandpa Rex Allen, who passed away at the age of 34! Whatever Jake Perry is doing, he’s doing it right!
13. Record for loudest purr is 67.8db(A)
The record for the loudest purr of a domestic cat is currently held by Merlin, a black and white cat from Torquay, UK. His purr has a volume of 67.8 db (A), which is almost the same volume as a shower! Most cats purr at around 25 db.
14. Didga the cat can perform 24 tricks in one minute
If you think that cats can’t do tricks, you will be shocked to learn this fact about cats. The most tricks performed by a cat in one minute is 24! Didga has completed a variety of tricks ranging from rolling, to jumping a bar while he’s on his skateboard!
Even dog and cat may seem like a fun match, but in some cases they are best friends! Read our article to find out more.
