Last Updated on August 24, 2023 by admin
The International Cat day is here. We examine some of the less know cat facts that make this feline friend unique.
“Kindle” refers to a group of kitten
The term “kindle” is one of the traditional collective nouns used to describe a group of kittens. While the exact origins of using “kindle” to refer to a group of kittens is unclear, this term has been in use since at least the late 18th century.
Some sources suggest it may be related to the Middle English word “kindlen” meaning “to bring forth young” or “to bear young.” The word evokes the image of a mother cat giving birth to and nurturing a litter of kittens.
Other collective nouns used for groups of kittens include “litter,” “intrigue,” and “clowder.” However, “kindle” appears to be one of the most commonly used and recognized terms.
Various dictionaries and glossaries of collective animal nouns include “kindle” as the official term for a group of kittens, including Merriam-Webster and Oxford English dictionaries. So while the origins may be obscure, the use of “kindle” to describe a group of kittens has a long history and popularity extending back over 200 years.
Cats have an extra organ that allows them to taste scents
The quote refers to cats’ vomeronasal or Jacobson’s organ, which is located in the roof of their mouth. It allows cats to detect pheromones and other chemical signals that provide information about prey, mates, rivals, and more.
While the vomeronasal organ is common to many mammals, it is thought to be particularly sensitive and sophisticated in felines. Research indicates domestic cats rely heavily on this organ to gain crucial information from scents in their environment.
Unlike humans, when cats “smell” something by inhaling through their nose, the scents bypass the olfactory bulb and go directly to the vomeronasal organ. Special ducts slits then pump the scents toward this sensory organ.
So cats really do have a sixth-sense, of sorts, that allows them to “taste” and analyze scents via the vomeronasal organ. This provides insights into cats’ stealthy hunting skills and advanced social communication abilities.
While the science is complex, the quote sums up this special feline adaption in an accessible way for general audiences. It reveals why your cat may grimace from smells that seem perfectly fine to your human nose!
Cats developed meowing as a way to communicate exclusively with humans
While popular belief states cats meow solely to communicate with people, experts say meowing also serves an intraspecies function between cats. Feral and semi-feral cats use meowing to convey messages, though less frequently than domestic cats.
Meowing begins when kittens communicate with their mothers. However, cats do adapt their meowing to gain human attention and express needs. A 2021 study found cats meow more insistently to humans when wanting food and use an urgent meow sound with owners versus strangers.
Some cat behaviorists theorize evolved meowing is an adaptation to capture human affection, as we find meowing and kittens’ cries compelling. Through natural selection, cats who meowed were cared for and bred.
However, claims cats “developed” meowing to communicate exclusively with humans may overstate findings. Meowing exists between cats, even if used less commonly, and serves kittens’ basic functions. Research is still needed to fully understand meowing’s origins and roles.
So short, while meowing is directed at humans, experts disagree cats purposefully “developed” it solely to communicate with people. Its intraspecies functions and evolutionary path remain open questions.
A cat can’t taste sweetness
The inability for cats to taste sweetness comes from a genetic mutation that blocks their ability to produce a key protein needed to detect sweet flavors.
Cats lack 247 base pairs on the gene that codes for the sweetness receptor on the cat tongue. This prevents the gene from producing the complete protein that responds to sugars.
This genetic mutation is likely why cats show no preference for sugars or sweet foods. Their indifference to sweet flavors contrasts with most mammals who actively seek out sweet tastes.
While they can’t taste sweetness, cats have a strong sense of smell and still retain the ability to taste salty, sour, bitter and umami flavors like humans. Their response to flavors mainly comes down to smell rather than specific taste receptors.
The cat’s evolutionary history as an obligate carnivore that rarely encountered sugary foods in the wild may explain why they lost the need for sweet taste receptors over time.
In summary, a well-identified genetic mutation explains the cat’s mysterious inability to taste sweet flavors, even as their other taste abilities remain intact. It reflects their unique evolutionary diet as meat eaters.
When cats climb a tree, they have to go back down backward because their claws are backwards
A cat’s sharp claws are curved and point downward to aid in climbing up trees and grasping prey. However, this makes climbing down forward perilous.
As cats lack collapsible claws that retract on descent like squirrels, their fixed claws are unsuited to face forward climbing down. A forward-facing cat would have to step directly on its claw points.
Facing backwards allows cats to dig their claws into the tree trunk and steadily lower their body facing away from the ground. This distributes their weight across claws and paw pads instead of claw tips.
Cats are adept at planning routes up and down trees to ensure they have an easy path for backward descent. Their spatial mapping abilities may exceed most mammals.
While awkward looking to humans, backward tree climbing allows cats to capitalize on their excellent climbing skills while safely working within the constraints of fixed, downward-curving claws.
Thus, a quirk of feline anatomy explains why cats defy expectations by descending tree trunks apparently backward. It elegantly works around limitations of their claw configuration.
Cats have their own unique nose print, similar to a human’s fingerprint
Like human fingerprints, the unique ridges, valleys, and patterns of a cat’s nose print are determined by randomness in development.
Factors like environment in the womb influence the intricate details that make each cat’s nose print one-of-a-kind. Even clones will have distinct nose prints.
While a cat’s nose appears smooth, under a microscope, tiny ridges called rugae are visible. The specific rugae pattern differs in all cats, even between litter mates.
Nose prints are used by some veterinarians and shelters to identify lost cats, similar to human fingerprints in a police database. However, this is not a foolproof identification method.
Research indicates scent, rather than visual nose prints, provides the main recognition cue for cats identifying each other. Nose prints likely serve no biological function for cats themselves.
So while cat nose prints offer an analog to human fingerprints, they arise mostly from random chance in development rather than evolutionary purpose. But they can aid human cat identification when used responsibly
Facing backwards allows cats to dig their claws into the tree trunk and steadily lower their body facing away from the ground. This distributes their weight across claws and paw pads instead of claw tips.
Cats are adept at planning routes up and down trees to ensure they have an easy path for backward descent. Their spatial mapping abilities may exceed most mammals.
While awkward looking to humans, backward tree climbing allows cats to capitalize on their excellent climbing skills while safely working within the constraints of fixed, downward-curving claws.
So a quirk of feline anatomy explains why cats defy expectations by descending tree trunks apparently backward. It elegantly works around limitations of their claw configuration.
Cats uses its whiskers to decide if their bodies can fit through small spaces
A cat’s whiskers are highly sensitive tactile hairs that connect to neurons in their brain that process detailed sensory information.
Whiskers extend out to about the same width as a cat’s body. They use this to gauge if openings are wide enough to fit through.
If whiskers brush against something, the cat gets signals to not proceed further. This protects them from getting stuck in tight spaces.
Whiskers also provide clues about prey location and movements, and help cats maintain balance and move precisely even in darkness.
Unlike regular hairs, whiskers contain live sensory nerves at their base. Damage to whiskers impairs cats’ spatial judgment and coordination skills.
So cats’ whiskers serve almost like antennas around their face, providing a close-range 3D map of their surroundings that guides navigation and hunting. Their width provides a handy in-built ruler for judging openings.
The Egyptian Mau is one of the oldest domesticated cat breeds and one of the fastest
Originating in ancient Egypt, the Egyptian Mau is considered one of the first domesticated cats dating back thousands of years. Hieroglyphic writings and artwork depict Maus as household pets.
Selective breeding over centuries resulted in the Maus’ distinctive spots, large ears, and lean build ideal for speedy hunting and movement. Their athleticism led to the breed’s popularity in Egypt.
Genetic research indicates the Egyptian Mau is closely related to wild African cats and diverged from other domesticated cats early on. Maus have retained more feral feline behaviors and independence.
With their sleek build, long hind legs, and muscularity, the Egyptian Mau is recorded as the fastest running domestic cat breed. Maus have been clocked at speeds up to 30 mph.
So the Egyptian Mau has a long documented history as a revered ancient breed prized for its unique spots, fidelity to Egypt, and remarkably quick speed and agility. Their genetics and traits provide a living link to cat domestication origins.
A cat’s purr is believed to be a method of self-healing
Experts theorize a cat’s rumbling purr may stimulate healing and pain relief by releasing therapeutic frequencies that strengthen muscles and bones.
Purring creates vibrations at 25-150 Hz, frequencies shown in studies to improve bone density and promote wound healing. This effect aids cats’ natural recovery.
The purr’s frequencies may also calm nerves, reduce swelling and inflammation, and ease lameness – all promoting self-repair in injured or sick cats.
However, concrete evidence is still lacking as purring’s physical mechanisms are not fully understood. Some speculate soft tissues or vocal folds filter out only healthful frequencies.
While more research is needed, a cat’s distinctive soothing purr likely evolved to support its incredible abilities to heal from scratches, falls, and fights during its 9 lives. Their purr may be a built-in healing therapy.
Thus, plausible theories back the idea of a cat’s unique purr aiding its self-curative powers, though the exact mechanisms remain a mystery waiting to be unraveled.
The oldest recorded cat lived to be 38 years old
The record holder for the oldest cat ever is Creme Puff, who lived from 1967 to 2005, an astonishing 38 years and 3 days. Creme Puff was born on August 3, 1967 and lived with her owner in Austin, Texas until passing away on August 6, 2005.
Creme Puff entered the Guinness Book of World Records in 1998 as the oldest living cat at age 31. She far outlived the average 12-15 year lifespan of domestic cats.
As a domestic shorthair cat, Creme Puff had no special breeds known for longevity. Her owners attributed her long life to a diet of dry cat food supplemented with broccoli, eggs, turkey bacon, and coffee.
The longevity of Creme Puff has not been replicated since. The current oldest living cat is 26 years old. Genetics, diet, indoor lifestyle, and attentive care likely contributed to Creme Puff’s exceptional almost 40-year life.
So while the 38 year record still stands, Creme Puff remains an anomaly, with many factors needed to align to support such an extraordinarily long feline life. Most cats will continue living only into their mid-late teens at best.