Factsaboutfelines

Did you know a cat has 244 bones as opposed to humans who only have 206? What is unique about the number of bones a cat has is that it will largely depend on the number of toes they have, and how long their tail is. This can be different from breed to breed. Cats with extra toes are referred to as “polydactyl” and have more bones because of their extra toes. Tails hold 10% of the total bones in a cat’s body.Cat’s tails help them keep their balance, turn around, and double as a built-in rudder when making leaps or falling down. Cats have an extremely flexible spine, and are born without a clavicle or collarbone making it easy for them to fit into small spaces as well as contributing to their remarkable ability to change body positions easily and almost unnaturally when falling. My cat always seems to be able to get himself into the smallest spaces, and then cries when he’s realized what he got himself into. I’m sure all cat owners can all relate.

Sources:  how many bones does a cat have

image from << upload.wikimedia.org >>

Did you know that in Great Britain and Japan black cats are considered to be good luck? Unlike prior superstitions held by some here in the Western Hemisphere about black cats signifying a bad omen or being associated with witchcraft and the devil, in Great Britain newly wed brides are given a black cat because they believe it will be a blessing to marriage. In contrast, the Japanese believe single women specifically should own a black cat because they  are viewed as a sign of good luck. History can not exactly tell us why black cats began to be associated with the dark side, but the superstition has its origins that date back to the Middle Ages. I personally love black cats because I think they’re beautiful and could never truly understand how anyone can believe such a stunning creature is an omen of evil. 

 Sources:cat facts

image from<< hsnaples.org >>

Did you know the first cat traveled to space in 1963? On Oct. 18, 1963, a French cat by the name of  Félicette, became the first and only cat to have made it to outer space. Aboard the Véronique AG1 rocket, she was flown nearly 100 miles above the Earth, and exposed to 9.5 g’s of force. Thankfully, her rocket landed safely back on the earth and Félicette was unharmed in the process. Félicette was one of 14 cats chosen to participate in the French space program designed to test how different animals reacted to the lack of gravity in space. Due to the fact that Félicette has not received enough recognition for her venture with other dogs and monkeys stealing the spotlight, an effort is being made to create a memorial for her in France so more people can know her story. Personally, I've never heard Felicettes' story so I encourage you all to take some time to learn a little more about her, and maybe even make a donation for the memorial they want to erect in her honor.  

 Sources: cat facts ,  first cat in space

image from << miro.medium.com >> 

Did you know house cats can reach speeds of up to 30 mph? To put things into perspective, 30 mph is the speed limit of how fast we are able to drive on some residential streets. Imagine your surprise seeing your kitty run alongside your car and being able to keep up! Cats are also faster than the average human. Usain bolt , a record holder known for being one of the fastest men on earth, has come the closest to the top speed of the average housecat. I’ve always observed how fast my cat was truly able to run (especially as a kitten), but since he is a house cat with not nearly enough room to reach uninterrupted top speeds I would have never would have guessed he could run that fast! 

Sources:

purina facts

how-fast-can-cats-run

image from << mediaistockphoto>>

Did you know all cats have a unique olfactory organ known as the vomeronasal or Jacobson's organ? This organ is located at the roof of the mouth, and holds receptor cells that are linked to the regions of the brain associated with sexual, social, and feeding behaviors. When cats make the face shown below after sniffing a particular object or picking up a scent in the air, they are experiencing what is called the “flehmen response”. This means your cat is trapping the odor between the roof of the mouth and tongue, and further analyzing the smell with its Jacobson’s organ.  My cat used to do this every single time he smelled something different (sometimes even me) so I just assumed he was really picky about his odors and it was hard not to get offended when he made his stinky face! Now that I know about the Jacobson’s organ, I’m happy to know I wasn't the sole cause of his reaction.  

Image from <<             petmeds.org                >>

Sources:

That funny face ,The Cat's Olfaction