by Betty Carew

Created on: March 30, 2009

Cats seem to be a very popular pet in North America. They are mysterious and beautiful. If we pay attention to our cats we can take some of the mystery away and find out what really goes on between the ears that stand up at the slightest sound. Domesticated cats have been with us for almost ten thousand years and it looks like they will be around for many more. The following is a few facts that may help you understand your feline friend better.

Did you know that a cat can hunt over one thousand different species for food? They also have the ability to make many vocalizations when trying to communicate such as meowing, hissing, purring, growling, squeaking, clicking, grunting and chirping. Cats have very specialized mouths for hunting and killing prey and tearing the meat. Their teeth are like a pair of scissors which can shear meat quite well.

Did you know that a cat's ears can move independently and holds thirty two individual muscles? This allows cats to move in one direction and point its ears in another direction? If you own a cat you have probably noticed that when it is frightened this is usually accompanied by a hissing or growling noise. They also put their ears back when they are playing. The way a cat holds its ears is a good indication of the mood it's in.

Did you know that when a cat walks, it places the paw that follows, in the exact same spot the first paw went in? This is to make as little noise as possible and also minimizes as few tracks as possible. This comes in handy when they hunt and also when they are being hunted. It also helps if they are going over rough ground.

Did you know that cats that are born pure white with blue eyes are prone to deafness? This is genetic and genetics define what color a cat is going to be and what color their eyes are along with other traits that are passed down to them.

Did you know that at the back of a cats neck is a very loose piece of skin? This is used by the mother when she has kittens to carry them around but it can also be used when a cat is upset or out of control. By grabbing this scruff the cat will calm down.

Did you know that a cat's night vision is better than humans? Their vision in the daytime is inferior but they have a very high advantage when it comes to hearing, taste, seeing and touch. Their hearing is 1.6 octaves above humans, their sense of smell is about fourteen times greater than a human and the only thing they may lack in taste, is the taste of sweetness.

Cats are and will continue to be mysterious regardless of how much we love them, they are with us to stay and grace us with their presence and their attitudes

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