You’ve probably heard that cats can jump five times their height. But did you know that they have an episodic memory and are just as intelligent as dogs? If you’re interested in learning more about these felines, continue reading! These 10 facts will blow your mind! If you’ve ever wondered about the feline’s mind, you’re about to have a more complete picture of the feline kingdom. Read on to learn more about cats and their unique traits.
1. They can jump 5 times their own height
Did you know that cats can jump up to five times their own height? Unless they are injured, that is. In a study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, researchers found that cats’ ability to leap is directly related to their hind leg length and muscle mass. The best way to maximize their jumping power is to start in a deep crouch, lift their front legs, and then explode on their back legs. Cats can easily leap up to five times their own height with just a simple running jump. If you’d like to learn more about cats, read on!
2. They can’t taste sweetness
There’s a logical explanation for why cats can’t taste sweet things. As strict carnivores, cats don’t need a sweet taste receptor on their tongues to recognize food. But the fact that cats are devoid of this receptor isn’t good news. The discovery opens a window into the evolution of taste and may even help cat food manufacturers develop products that sick cats will actually eat.
3. They have episodic memory
If you’ve ever wondered how cats remember and process information, you’re not alone. A recent study found that cats have episodic memories. The cats were placed in four different bowls containing food. The cats had to choose which food they wanted to eat and the researchers were amazed at how well they remembered it! The researchers also noted that cats have an innate ability to remember locations that are rich in prey. The cats were also good at rehearsing this memory, which ultimately results in storing the information in the long-term memory.
4. They are as intelligent as dogs
Japanese scientists have revealed that cats are as smart as dogs at memory tests. The research involved 49 domestic cats. Cats were found to remember events from the past that were pleasant and vice versa. Dogs, on the other hand, show episodic memory, which is how we recall events from the past. Humans, on the other hand, try to reconstruct events from the past based on our own interpretation. In this way, cats are much more capable of social inference than dogs.
5. They are warmer-weather breeders
While most cats are cold-weather breeders, some species do better in warmer climates than others. If you’re a resident of a cold climate, a cat’s coat is a major factor in keeping it warm. Depending on the breed, cats with long coats can tolerate cold weather much longer than their short-haired counterparts. Nevertheless, you must keep in mind that cats are prone to hypothermia and frostbite when exposed to cold weather.
6. They are polyoestrous
Female cats cycle in and out of heat every fourteen to 21 days until they are ready to mate. The first heat cycle starts when a kitten is around four months old. While this cycle is not as pronounced as in women, it is still a risk for young kittens. Although female cat fertility declines with age, it is still significant because unspayed females can have hundreds of kittens during their lifetime. For this reason, the first time a female is neutered, she is at high risk of pregnancy.
7. They have whiskers on their front legs
Whiskers on a cat’s front legs serve a vital purpose in hunting and interacting with their environment. These sensitive whiskers are called carpal vibrissae and are used to detect even the smallest movement of prey. This is why cats have whiskers on the front of their legs as well as behind their ears. While the reason behind their leg whiskers is unknown, it’s likely they evolved to provide cats with stimulating feedback.
8. A cat’s sense of smell is unparalleled
A cat’s sense of smell is unparalleled. Cats are born without vision, relying solely on their sense of smell. By about four weeks of age, they can detect sounds and smell objects. And they have a six-times better sense of hearing than humans. In fact, a cat can detect a human’s voice up to six times louder!
9. Egyptians worshipped cats
Did you know that cats have been domesticated for over twelve thousand years? According to experts, cats were worshipped by the Egyptians, and mourning their pet cats meant shaving their eyebrows. Cats were also revered in early Roman civilizations. Cats were even associated with the devil during the Middle Ages. Even today, cats are just as popular as dogs as family pets.
10. They love to sleep and chill
If you’ve ever wondered how cats conserve their energy, read on. They spend about 70 percent of their day sleeping. That’s more than any other animal! And that’s before you add in their time spent grooming! Cats also spend up to fourteen hours per day sleeping, bouncing between periods of light sleep lasting 30 minutes and deep sleep for five minutes. And although they may sleep a lot, they maintain a vigilant eye for action.
