The Intriguing World Of Cats And Kittens

Cats and kittens are fascinating creatures, and there are many facts about them that some may be unaware of. For instance, did you know that cats have been domesticated for at least 10,000 years? Or that they can rotate their ears 180 degrees? Here are some more interesting facts about cats and kittens.

Cats and kittens can fit their bodies into almost any space they can squeeze their heads into

Cats and kittens are extremely flexible and can fit their bodies into almost any space they can squeeze their heads into. Their flexibility is due to their backbones, which are extremely elastic and can bend in many directions. This is also why cats can rotate their heads 180 degrees.

When kitten-proofing your house, it is important to keep this in mind, as kittens can fit into small spaces that may seem inaccessible. For example, a kitten's head can fit through any gap that is wider than its whiskers, which are as long as its body is wide. Therefore, it is crucial to block off any small openings or gaps that could potentially be hazardous.

Kittens are naturally curious and enjoy exploring their surroundings. They are also very agile and can climb and jump onto surfaces that may seem out of reach. As such, it is important to provide a safe environment for them to play and explore without endangering themselves.

Additionally, kittens have strong scent-tracking abilities and will often follow their noses into tight spaces. They use their whiskers to navigate through tight areas and can sense if their bodies will fit through a gap by sticking their heads through and testing if their whiskers can fit.

Kittens sleep for 18 hours a day

Kittens sleep for around 18 hours a day. This is because they need to conserve their energy for growing into adult cats. In fact, a certain growth hormone is only released during sleep, which is why they need so much of it.

Kittens are born with a strong instinct to survive. From birth until they are about two weeks old, they sleep for around 22 hours a day, only waking to feed. Once their eyes open, they begin to explore their environment more and sleep less. By the time they are three months old, they will only need around 18 hours of sleep a day, spread throughout the day and night. This is not far off the sleep requirements of adult cats, who average around 16 hours of sleep per day.

Kittens are crepuscular, which means they are most active at dusk and dawn. This is programmed into their behaviour, as even well-fed pet cats were once designed to hunt for their food. Hunting requires a lot of energy, so cats need to be fully rested to have the best chance of catching their next meal.

Kittens can be right or left-pawed

Kittens, just like humans, can be right or left-pawed. This phenomenon is known as "pawedness" in cats, similar to left-handedness or right-handedness in humans. Interestingly, kittens do not have fine motor skills like humans, so it might be a little challenging to determine their paw preference. However, by observing their behaviours closely, you may be able to identify whether your kitten favours its right or left paw.

To determine your kitten's paw preference, you can observe which paw it uses for various activities. For instance, you can check which paw it uses first when stepping down from a raised surface, such as stairs, or when reaching for treats. You can also observe which paw it uses for playing with toys, scratching, or digging in its litter. By conducting these observations over a more extended period, you can gather more data and make a more informed conclusion about your kitten's paw preference.

According to a study published in the January 2018 issue of Animal Behaviour, male cats tend to be left-pawed, while female cats are more likely to be right-pawed. This finding aligns with another study that examined the behaviours of 44 cats of various breeds and ages. However, unlike humans, there is no overall population preference for pawedness in cats, and individual preferences vary.

Understanding your kitten's paw preference can provide insights into its brain functioning and vulnerability to stress. Research suggests that left-pawed and ambilateral animals (those without a strong paw preference) exhibit stronger fear responses and are more susceptible to stress. On the other hand, right-pawed animals are generally more resilient to stressful situations. Thus, knowing your kitten's paw preference can help you better understand and sympathise with its reactions to stress.

Cats have 3 eyelids

Cats are fascinating creatures, and one intriguing fact about them is that they have three eyelids. This third eyelid, known as the "haw", acts like a windshield wiper, keeping the cat's eyes clean and protected. Here are some more details about this unique feature of feline anatomy:

The Anatomy of the Third Eyelid:

The third eyelid is a complex structure, consisting of a fold of tissue covered by a specialised mucous membrane called the conjunctiva. It is embedded with lymphoid follicles that trap dirt and debris, keeping the eye surface clean. The third eyelid also contains a T-shaped cartilage plate that stiffens its edge and conforms to the shape of the cornea.

The Function of the Third Eyelid:

The primary role of the third eyelid is to protect the cat's eyes. It acts as a shield, guarding the cornea from injury as cats move through tall grass or capture prey. It also helps keep the eye moist by redistributing tears over the cornea. In addition, the third eyelid may play a role in immunological protection for the eye.

The Visibility of the Third Eyelid:

Under normal circumstances, only a small portion of the third eyelid is visible in the inner corner of the cat's eye. However, when the cat is relaxed, sleeping, or blinking, the third eyelid moves across the ocular surface from the inner corner to the outer corner. If the third eyelid is protruding or continuously visible, it could indicate an underlying health issue, such as an infection or irritation, and a veterinarian should be consulted.

The Evolution of the Third Eyelid:

Scientists believe that humans and other primates once had a third eyelid, but it diminished over time due to evolutionary changes. Unlike cats, humans did not have to capture prey by biting or stalk through vegetation, so the extra protection for the eyes was not as crucial.

The Uniqueness of the Third Eyelid:

The presence of a third eyelid is not unique to cats, as it is also found in dogs, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and some other mammals. However, cats are the only species among mammals and birds that typically have a fully developed and functional third eyelid, making it a distinctive feature of their anatomy.

Cats can rotate their ears 180 degrees

Cats have an incredible ability to rotate their ears 180 degrees in different directions at the same time, giving them 360-degree surround sound. This means that they can pinpoint the exact location of a sound and listen carefully to anything, anywhere.

A cat's ear is made up of three main parts – the external, middle, and inner ear. The external ear, or pinna, is the part that the cat can move with ease. It works like a funnel, directing sound down towards the middle and inner ear. With their large, rotating ears, cats can detect sounds from up to 3 feet away. This is especially helpful when they hear the high-pitched squeak of a tasty mouse.

A cat's hearing is incredibly sensitive. They can detect a change in pitch as small as one-tenth of a tone and hear much higher pitches than humans. Their top hearing range is around 65 kHz, compared to a human's 20 kHz. This higher range gives cats an advantage when hunting as most of their prey – rodents, birds, or small reptiles – make high-pitched sounds.

The position of a cat's ears can also give you an indication of what they're thinking or feeling. When a cat is feeling happy and relaxed, its ears will be facing forward in what's called the neutral position. If its ears are straight up and forward, the cat is alert and paying close attention to its surroundings. When a cat is nervous or getting agitated, its ears will begin to quiver. Ears flat against its head means the cat is angry and ready for a fight.

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