10 Fun Facts About Cats
You may have heard that cats are brilliant and are known to be able to remember and retain information in both short and long terms. They have an extra organ that helps them taste scents in the air. They also have a third eyelid as a shield for their cornea.
The oldest living cat is 31 years old
The world’s oldest living cat is 31 years old. This cat is named Moggy Nutmeg. Its owners adopted it over 26 years ago. He suffered a stroke last year. Despite his serious health problems, he is still living and thriving.
In the United States, the oldest living cat is Scooter. This is a Siamese cat that lives in Texas. According to his owner, Al Palusky, his longevity is attributed to exercising.
Another contender for the title is a black domestic house cat named Baby. Although this cat has not been verified, it is considered the oldest domestic cat alive.
3rd eyelid functions as a shield for his cornea
The third eyelid is a specialized fold of tissue that protects your cornea. It’s a functional marvel, and there are several reasons. The eyelid acts as a dehumidifier, and the other holds the tear film in place better than its counterparts.
Like many medical marvels, the third eyelid has its fair share of controversy. For example, the lid may act as a dehumidifier, but the gland, if there is any, is prone to overproduction and ocular discharge. This is a hazardous condition for children, as their eyes tend to be more sensitive and can become easily irritated. If left untreated, the prolapsed gland may cause several afflictions.
Cats have short-term and long-term memory
Cats have impressive short-term and long-term memory. Unlike humans, they tend to recall good experiences over bad ones.
Cats also have a good sense of spatial awareness. They can remember where they are and where they’ve been. This is helpful when it comes to finding food or shelter. In addition to recognizing a location, they can also remember which way to turn.
Although cats have impressive short- and long-term memory, scientists are still working to determine how much they retain. Some anecdotal evidence suggests that they may have a long-term memory that’s more than 16 hours, but this is only sometimes the case.
Grooming helps cats avoid predators
Grooming is an essential part of cat life. It helps cats stay warm, avoid predators and maintain a healthy coat. However, it can be a dangerous practice. For this reason, it is essential to be careful when handling your cat.
When a cat is feeling stressed, it may groom itself to relax. This is similar to how humans bite their nails when they are anxious. While this is not a scientifically proven fact, it is an expected behavior.
Cats also groom themselves to help them get rid of debris and dirt that can get stuck in their fur. Using their forepaws, they scrub their ears, face, and shoulders.
They have an extra organ that allows them to taste scents in the air
The sense of smell is vital to cats’ communication with their environment. It can provide important information about the presence of other animals, the boundaries of their territories, and their mating relationships.
In addition to having a good sense of smell, cats also have an extra organ that can taste scents. This organ is called the vomeronasal organ and is located on the roof of the mouth.
This organ has a much larger capacity than the human nasal organ. Its purpose is to pick up pheromones, chemical substances that help cats identify their territory, mates, and other species.
They have an “M” shape on their forehead
If you’ve ever had a cat, you probably noticed that many have a small, if not significant, letter “M” on their forehead. This is a standard marking in the tabby family of cats. It can mean several different things and can be found in various breeds.
There are many legends about how a tabby cat gets its ‘M.’ These can range from a scientific study of the genetics behind the coat pattern to tales of mythological creatures. However, the ‘M’ is most likely a nod to the ancient Egyptians, who believed that cats were connected with the moon and possessed an uncanny ability to keep them from harm.