Cats are said to have been domesticated in the Middle East some 10,000 years ago. Initially, they were used to control rodents and other pests in human settlements.
Cats have retractable claws, which allow them to lengthen and retract them as needed. This improves their ability to climb, scratch, and hunt.
The average cat sleeps for approximately 16 hours each day, though this varies based on the cat's age, health, and activity level.
A bunch of cats is known as a clowder or a glaring. These names can be used interchangeably, however in the United Kingdom, "clowder" is more generally used.
The Siberian tiger is the world's largest cat, weighing more than 600 pounds. They are extremely endangered and native to eastern Russia.
Cats have a flexible spine and can turn their ears 180 degrees. This enables them to move rapidly and softly, as well as hear sounds from all directions.
A cat's tongue is coated in small spines called papillae, which aid in grooming. The spines also roughen the tongue, allowing cats to scrape meat off bones when eating.
Cats were sacrosanct to the ancient Egyptians, who even worshipped a cat deity named Bastet. Cats were commonly featured in Egyptian art and were frequently mummified after death.
Domestic cats are natural predators, responsible for the deaths of billions of birds and small mammals each year.
Polydactyly is a genetic abnormality that causes some cats to be born with extra toes. Cats with additional toes are commonly referred to as "Hemingway cats.