How much do you know about our feline friends?
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Questions and Answers

What is the estimated number of owned cats in the world?

  • 700 million
  • 1 billion
  • 480 million
  • 220 million (correct)
  • What is the scientific name for the domestic cat?

  • Felis chaus
  • Felis lynx
  • Felis silvestris
  • Felis catus (correct)
  • What is the purpose of a cat's whiskers?

  • To help them see in the dark
  • To intimidate prey
  • To help them hear better
  • To aid with navigation and sensation (correct)
  • What is the primary prey of cats?

    <p>Birds and rodents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is pica in cats?

    <p>An eating disorder where they eat non-food items</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the average lifespan of pet cats?

    <p>15 years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a cat's free-floating clavicle bones?

    <p>To help them pass their body through any space into which they can fit their head</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a cat's pacing gait?

    <p>To conserve energy while walking</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a cat's high-pitched sounds?

    <p>To mimic the cries of a hungry human infant</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a cat's regurgitation of hairballs?

    <p>To get rid of excess hair in their digestive system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    • The cat is a domesticated species of small carnivorous mammal.
    • Cats are valued for companionship and their ability to kill rodents.
    • There are about 60 recognized cat breeds.
    • Cats have a strong, flexible body, quick reflexes, sharp teeth, and retractable claws.
    • They are crepuscular predators and communicate through vocalizations and body language.
    • Female cats can have litters of two to five kittens.
    • Cats were domesticated in Western Asia around 7500 BC.
    • There are an estimated 220 million owned and 480 million stray cats in the world.
    • The domestic cat is a distinct species, Felis catus.
    • Cats have undergone only minor changes in anatomy and behavior during domestication.
    • Cats have free-floating clavicle bones that allow them to pass their body through any space into which they can fit their head.
    • They have teeth adapted for killing prey and tearing meat, and use a lethal neck bite to overpower their prey.
    • Cats have protractible and retractable claws, and can voluntarily extend them for hunting, climbing, or for extra traction.
    • They walk on their toes and have a "pacing" gait, and can right themselves during a fall from heights of up to 3 meters.
    • Cats have excellent night vision, poor color vision, and an acute sense of smell and hearing.
    • They have relatively few taste buds and cannot taste sweetness, but have a preference for food at around 38°C.
    • Cats have dozens of movable whiskers that aid with navigation and sensation.
    • They establish territories and are generally crepuscular, but their behavior is also influenced by human activity.
    • Cats shed the outside layer of their claw sheaths when scratching rough surfaces.
    • Most breeds of cat are notably fond of sitting in high places, which may serve as a concealed site from which to hunt or allow them to survey their territory.
    • Cats sleep between 12 to 16 hours a day, with some sleeping up to 20 hours.
    • Cats may live in colonies with distinct territories marked by urine spraying and rubbing objects with facial secretions.
    • Cats may express great affection towards humans or other animals, and their high-pitched sounds may mimic the cries of a hungry human infant.
    • Domestic cats use many vocalizations for communication, including purring, trilling, hissing, growling/snarling, and meowing.
    • Cats spend considerable amounts of time licking their coats to keep them clean, and may occasionally regurgitate hairballs.
    • Males are more likely to fight than females, and fights for mating rights may result in serious injuries.
    • Cats lap with their tongue to draw liquid upward into their mouths when drinking.
    • Cats consume several small meals in a day, selecting food based on its temperature, smell, and texture.
    • Cats hunt small prey, primarily birds and rodents, using either stalking or ambush strategies.
    • Cats may develop odd eating habits, such as pica, where they eat non-food items that may threaten their health.
    • Domestic cats are major predators of wildlife, killing billions of birds and mammals annually in the United States.
    • Cats tend to actively stalk birds and wait in ambush outside burrows for prey.
    • Cats often appear to "play" with prey to weaken it before killing it.
    • Cats engage in play fighting to practice combat skills and reduce fear associated with attacking other animals.
    • Female cats are polyestrous, with several estrus cycles during a year, and are usually ready to mate between early February and August.
    • Kittens are weaned between six and seven weeks of age, and cats are ready to go to new homes at about 12 weeks of age.
    • The average lifespan of pet cats has risen to about 15 years, and neutering increases life expectancy and confers health benefits.
    • About 250 heritable genetic disorders have been identified in cats, and vaccinations and treatments are available for many infectious diseases and parasites.
    • The domestic cat is a cosmopolitan species and occurs across much of the world, living in various habitats and even on small islands with no human inhabitants.
    • Feral cats are domestic cats that have reverted to a wild state and may live alone or in colonies, with public attitudes toward them varying widely.

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    Description

    Think you know everything there is to know about cats? Test your feline knowledge with our cat trivia quiz! From their ancient origins in Western Asia to their status as one of the most beloved pets in the world, this quiz will challenge you to answer questions about cat behavior, anatomy, and history. Whether you're a cat lover or just curious about these fascinating creatures, this quiz is sure to be a purr-fect way to spend your time. So, get ready to scratch your brain and

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