Here are a few interesting science facts about our domesticated cats:
1. Cats are obligate carnivores. They must eat meat because they require two amino acids to be presynthesized by grain feeding prey. They cannot convert it themselves. Any cat food that has vegetables or grain in it is practically useless for them.
2. They have a spine that is flexible in more than one direction.
3. They have a second layer called tapetum lucidum that lows them to see in the dark by reflecting available light onto their retina. It's mostly grey tones and they don't have night vision if there's no light source.
4. Their tongue has tiny hooks that bend backwards so anything they lick or groom goes down. One way only.
5. They can't spit.
6. They can breathe and swallow at almost the same time. Humans cannot. (When humans swallow they stop breathing for a few seconds).
7. They slice/saw their food like a shark and don't chew since they have no molars.
8. Their communication is nonverbal body language. The "talking" is learned behavior for us.
9. They heal much faster than most mammals.
10. They purr when they're content or distressed. Lots of theories about that.
11. They form colonies when feral, but don't have a hierarchy.
12. They can't sweat. They cool off through panting and their fur traps cool air in the summer.
13. If they consider you part of the family, some will share their prey with you. One of mine would bring me my socks, meow loudly and leave it in front of the bedroom door. It's a gift of a shared meal.
14. Unlike dogs who show their bellies as a sign of submission, cats will often lie down to get their claws in position.
15. Some are peacemakers. There is a great video called cat playing peacemaker between two cats. (The one I found doesn't want reposts). You should be able to find it. Yes. They do break up eachother's fights.
Incredible amazing creatures.
I will add some more facts as I think of them
In New Zealand where some of my family lives, cats are not native but abundant and popular pets.As they are considered a threat to native bird populations steps are discussed and in some areas already enforced to keep cats indoors or to outlaw them completely. However, a long-term study using field cameras in a number of reserves, forests, public parks and golf courses showed that only a minority of cats are actually interested in chasing and killing birds, that includes feral as well as domestic cats. They prefer rodents, at least in NZ. So law makers are changing their minds now.
ReplyDeleteA well documented fact at least in my family is that some cats "comfort" crying and upset teenagers and will even lick salty tears.
Codex: interesting that NZ is doing this and a step forward. I think that they only catch sick/injured birds. I used to volunteer for rescues that were very sensible. The fights between bird lovers and cat owners was a fight back and forth with cities not interested in policy changes.
DeleteYes that some comfort or sense discomfort is known. I've had a special one that did that. It's not that researched though so it's anecdotal.
Codex: @Sabine They can't taste salt or sugar so they're drying the upset kitten
DeleteCodex: @Sabine (i hit publish before reading)They can't taste salt well. They can't taste sweet or sugar at all. They're probably licking an upset kitten dry.
DeleteAbout vocalization in cats...newborn kittens mew. I don't see that as learned behavior. Of the four cats I take care of, well five including the feral, Lovey is very vocal, Momcat is too but not as much as Lovey. Handsome Boy has a quiet little mew that he rarely utters, and Twin is silent. the only time Twin vocalized was when he was trapped to get fixed. I think I've heard him mew maybe one other time. And the feral Ghost, also silent besides the hissing except maybe once a quiet almost soundless mew. None of my cats who have always had access to the outdoors and these current ones included have been bird killers. Maybe two over the years. My previous cat was hell on the voles though. She would find a nest and kill every single one. And I agree what Sabine said about cats comforting.
ReplyDeleteOh, and my own cat. She will mew at me incessantly when she wants to be brushed and if I ignore her she will swipe at me to get my attention if I pass by the table she's sitting on to closely. Also if she wants to go out.
DeleteCodex: kittens do to call mom. The body language they use is their means of communication. If you watch a feral colony they're mostly silent. Would attract predators. They do it for us mainly.
DeleteCodex: Ellen, the amazing thing is that rather than us learning their language, they try ours but don't have the vocal cords to speak.
DeleteI'll add some more later.
I am a Cat Person, I didn't know some of these Traits and Facts. I did know that their Verbal Communication if for us tho'. Eli, The Cat, has a very noisy Communication with me mostly, since, I'm his preferred Staff and The Granddaughter, whose Cat he is, she's his favorite Human, he mostly does not tolerate anyone else but the Two of us.
ReplyDeleteCodex: They're really incredible creatures. They'll often bond with a specific human and tolerate the rest.
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