Cats have been roaming the earth for thousands of years. Although these purring, four-legged animals are stereotypically renowned for (as legend would have it) sitting on the back of a witch’s broomstick, there’s a lot more to learn about these furry, pawed pussycats.
Famous and popular wild cats encompass 40 different species. Those species range in size, with the adult rusty-spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus) being the smallest at just 1.4 kilograms and the adult tiger (Panthera tigris) weighing up to 308 kg.
The general term “wild cat” is used to describe a wide range of big cats, including the cougar, cheetah, lion, and several smaller wild cats, such as the Andean Mountain cat, the African golden cat, and the Canada lynx. Various feral domestic cats and other felines in the cat family also fall under this umbrella term.
Fascinating Things to Know About Cats
Did you know that a cat served as the Mayor of an Alaskan town for 20 years? If that raised an eyebrow, you might have to sit down (if you’re not already) to read the following facts about cats:
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Cats have a nearsighted vision - These whiskered animals might only have a small range of sharp middle vision, but they boast better peripheral vision and night vision than humans. Most cats should be positioned 20 feet (six meters) away from an object to see it correctly.
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Cats can leap six times their height - If you take the time to count them, a cat has 18 toes! They come in handy for jumping, as do the collarbones, which are snuggled into the cat’s shoulder muscles and are disconnected from other bones around the body.
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Most cat species are declining - Based on statistics from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 88% of all cat species have dwindling or unspecified population trends.
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The first pet cat existed 9,500 years ago - Egyptians were initially believed to have domesticated the cat, but in 2004, French archaeologists rewrote history after unearthing a 9,500-year-old cat grave in Cyprus.
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Cats spend 70% of their lives asleep - Getting some shuteye is very important for cats, which, according to Veterinary Hub, spend approximately 70% of their lives sleeping. That’s around 13-16 hours of the day.
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Cats are not limited to black and white vision - While you might have thought that cats are restricted to colorless sight, they actually can see some colors (albeit on a limited spectrum.) Researchers hypothesize that cats are colorblind to the colors red and green, with blue, yellow, and green being the colors that dominate much of their daily life.
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One year of a cat's life equates to 15 years of a human's life - A three-year-old cat would be considered a 45-year-old! Following the second year of a cat's life, each extra year is believed to be the same as four human years. Typically, domesticated cats will live for 12-18 years.
How to Get Up Close and Personal with Cats
Don’t let your fascination with cats end there because there are plenty of ways to experience the true beauty of these mammals. Listed below are some ideas for getting up close and personal with cats:
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Volunteering with Wild Cats - Inbreeding, habitat loss, and poaching are just some of the threats facing wild cats, many of which are endangered. Some of the top wild cat conservation programs include the Shamwari Big Five Game Reserve Volunteer Programme in South Africa, the Wildlife Conservation and San Bushmen Community Project in Namibia, and the Amazon Research and Conservation Volunteer and Internship Project Peru.
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Visit a Zoo - Although visiting a zoo is not the ideal way to see a cat in its prime surroundings, these establishments do offer an educational experience for visitors. Unfortunately, however, as many as 10,000 big wild cats are held in captivity in the United States. With that being said, you might consider donating to foundations that strive to tackle the problem rather than visiting a zoo.
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Befriend a Wild Cat - Gaining the trust of a wild cat can be very fulfilling, but you should act with caution if the cat has never encountered a human before. Lure them in with a comfortable bed and some snacks. After all, the easiest way to a cat's heart is through the stomach!
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Get a Pet Cat for the Family Home. There are numerous psychological benefits associated with owning a cat, including improved wellbeing, reduced risk of heart disease, better sleep quality, and lower stress levels. Cats guarantee companionship, so you’ll always have someone to cuddle on those lonely nights.
Considerations for Cat Owners
Studies suggest that a person's energy [6] and positive emotions can be increased simply by watching cat videos on the web. A separate study discovered that cat owners were 30% less at risk of dying of a stroke or heart attack than the people who did not own a cat.
With so many positive associations, the temptation to become a cat owner may be too much to resist. Remember that while they might strike you as the independent kind of furry friend, a cat requires lots of tender loving care (TLC), so be prepared to give them a healthy dose of your attention!
Conclusion
Healthy meals and plenty of water should be provided regularly, their litter tray emptied daily, and the living environment must offer ample outdoor access. First-time cat owners should also consider getting their cat microchipped to ensure they always find a way back home.
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