Cats and humans have been associated for nearly 10.000 years and are one of, if not the most, popular pet in the world! With that said, here are some interesting facts about these amazing creatures:
1. Cats have no ability to taste sweetness
Everyone has heard about cats amazing night vision and excellent hearing abilities, but did you know that cats can't taste sweetness. This is because cats have relatively few
taste buds compared to humans (the human tongue has more than 9,000 where cat tongue only has 470 taste buds).
2. They can tolerate quite high temperatures
While humans generally start to feel uncomfortable when their skin temperature passes 100°F (38°C), cats show no discomfort until their skin reaches around 126°F (52°C).
3. They are still capable of surviving in the wild
Unlike dogs, who are somewhat dependent on their owners, cats are still quite independent and can survive in the wild. It is not uncommon that house cats interbreed with feral cats, producing hybrids such as
Kellas cat in Scotland.
4. Cats are superfecund
This means that female may mate with more than one male when she is in heat, that can result in different kittens in a litter having different fathers.
5. They are a significant predator of birds
Some studies indicate that they may be accountable for an estimated 64.8 million
bird deaths each year. Even well-fed domestic cats may hunt and kill. Research in Britain suggests that a high proportion of cats hunt only "recreationally".
6. The oldest domestic cat lived for 38 years
The average lifespan of pet cats is between 9 and 15 years, but the
oldest cat recorded was
Creme Puff that lived to be 38 years old! This longevity some authors attribute to its unusual diet that consisted of, among other things: turkey bacon and eggs, asparagus, broccoli, and coffee.
7. Max is the most popular cat name in the United States
In Australia, the
most common name for cat is Oscar. In Germany, Felix is really popular and many Italians have named their cats Romeo.
8. They are real Sleepyheads!
On average, they sleep anywhere from 12 to 16 hours per day. The term "cat nap" refers to their tendency to fall asleep lightly for a brief period of time.
9. Their vital signs are much faster!
Cats
resting heart rate is two times higher than that of humans! (Humans: 60-100 bpm, Cats: 140-220 bpm). Their respiratory rate is anywhere from 24-42 breaths per minute, while humans breathe on average 12-18 times in a minute.
10. Cats and humans have some genetical similarities!
For example, Genes on X chromosomes of cats and humans are arranged in a similar way.
11. There is a great number of them!
General estimates of the global population of cats range widely from anywhere between 200 million to 600 million.
All of these wallpapers are royalty free, so feel free to download and use them!
Here are some bonus images:
