1. Cats spend around 30-50% of their waking hours grooming themselves. They use their rough tongues to clean their fur and remove loose hair.
2. A cat's eyesight is better than a human's in low light conditions. They have a layer of tissue in their eyes called the tapetum lucidum, which reflects light and enhances their vision in the dark.
3. Cats can make over 100 different sounds, including meows, purrs, growls, and chirps. Each sound is used to convey a different message.
4. Cats spend a large part of their day sleeping, with an average of 12 to 16 hours of sleep per day. This is because they are crepuscular animals, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk.
5. Cats have a flexible spine and powerful leg muscles that allow them to jump up to 6 times their body length in a single leap.
6. The average lifespan of a cat is around 15 years, although some cats can live for over 20 years.
7. A cat's purr is not only a sign of contentment, but it can also be a form of self-healing. The vibrations from a cat's purr have been shown to have a calming effect on their bodies, helping to reduce stress and promote healing.
8. Unlike dogs, cats do not have a sweet tooth. They can't taste sweetness because they lack the necessary taste buds.
9. A cat's nose pad is unique, like a human's fingerprint. No two cats have the same nose print, making it a useful tool for identification.
10. A group of cats is called a "clowder" or "glaring", while a group of kittens is called a "kindle".