Cats are incredibly familiar pets. However, it is perhaps this familiarity that leads people to overlook their unique qualities and characteristics. During the Lunar New Year of the Cat in 2023, cats took the spotlight, replacing the tiger as the dominant symbol of the season. So, what makes cats so special that they could “assume” the position of the tiger?
Cats originated in the wild but, like many other species, have transitioned to living with humans, becoming “domestic cats.” In an ancient grave unearthed on the island of Cyprus, dating back 9,500 years, archaeologists found a cat skeleton among the burial items, indicating that cats have been companions to humans since ancient times.
Interestingly, few people are aware that in 1988, Egyptians discovered a cemetery containing up to 300,000 cat skeletons. This is the most bizarre burial site ever found, and the reasons behind this strange cemetery remain a mystery.
Cats were once revered as symbols by many cultures.
To date, biologists estimate that there are approximately 600 million domestic cats on Earth, not counting feral cats and wild relatives. In the United States alone, families own about 75 million cats as pets, compared to only 64 million dogs. Americans are known for their love of statistics; they estimate that every hour, 200 million cats yawn and that they take 425 million short naps each day. Additionally, 25% of cat owners use hair dryers to dry their cats and spray perfume on them after baths. On average, over 40,000 people in the U.S. are bitten by cats each year and require rabies vaccinations.
The American Pet Products Association believes that people spend $4 billion annually on commercially prepared cat food. Over a cat’s lifetime, the cost of food, healthcare, toys, and other expenses can reach up to $7,000.
Cats were once revered as symbols by many cultures. Ancient Egyptians worshipped a goddess named Bast, depicted as a woman with a cat’s head. When a domestic cat died, people sometimes carved wooden statues to honor them. In contrast, in Asia, cats were sometimes viewed as food; it is estimated that around 4 million cats are consumed each year as “little tigers” by food enthusiasts.
Cats are incredibly intelligent, ranking just below chimpanzees and dolphins in terms of intelligence. They can understand human emotions and know who loves or hates them. Cats are also the only animals that produce a “purr” sound at a frequency of 26 cycles per second. This is because they have a unique technique for vibrating their vocal cords, with the laryngeal muscles opening and closing in sync with the frequency. The “purring” of a cat does not necessarily indicate contentment; they may also purr when frightened or during hunting. It is estimated that throughout its lifetime, a cat will purr approximately 10,950 times.
Cats have 32 muscles in their ears, allowing them to quickly perk them up to listen attentively. They often nuzzle against people or objects as a sign of affection; in reality, this action helps lower their blood pressure. It’s worth noting that a cat’s sense of smell is 14 times more acute than that of humans, and their eyesight is six times sharper. Notably, they can see in the dark due to a layer of cells in their lenses that absorb light.
It has been observed that only domestic cats can hold their tails upright while walking, whereas wild cats and their relatives (like tigers and leopards) can only keep their tails horizontal or tucked between their legs.
Each cat has 24 whiskers (12 on each side of their face). Cats are naturally clean animals and groom themselves with their paws. They sleep approximately 16 hours a day but remain alert even while sleeping. Their eyes can view a 225-degree field, whereas humans can only see 180 degrees.
Cats are incredibly intelligent.
Unlike other four-legged animals, cats cannot move sideways. When they walk, they lift both left legs at the same time and both right legs simultaneously, rather than alternating legs. Thanks to their elastic muscles, they can jump up to five times their height from head to tail. On average, cats can run at speeds of 20 km/h, but in emergencies, they can reach speeds of up to 48.28 km/h. In their lifetime, a female cat can give birth to around 100 kittens. Newborn kittens cannot see or hear; they open their eyes after about five days, can hear after 14-15 days, and start walking steadily after 20 days.
The lifespan of a domestic cat is typically 15-20 years. In human terms, a 3-year-old cat is equivalent to a 21-year-old person. An 8-year-old cat is comparable to a 40-year-old human, while a 14-year-old cat corresponds to a person in their 70s.
Today, many people keep cats as pets. However, it’s essential to remember that in the wild, cats are excellent hunters, averaging about four mice per day.
