Are you a cat lover, or do you just find these furry creatures fascinating?

Either way, you're in for a treat! Cats are full of surprises, and we’ve gathered some of the most mind-blowing and quirky facts about them!

1. The Oldest Pet Cat: A Fascinating Discovery

We always associate cats with ancient Egypt, but did you know that the first domesticated cats actually appeared 9,500 years ago? French archaeologists in Cyprus discovered the grave of a cat, which predates the Egyptian artwork depicting cats by over 4,000 years! Can you imagine, this little cat was around long before the great pyramids were built? That’s one incredible fact that will certainly leave you amazed.

2. Cats and Their Sleeping Habits

Cats are renowned for their love of napping, and we are here to confirm that they truly take it to the next level. Cats spend an astonishing 70% of their lives sleeping! On average, they sleep for 13 to 16 hours a day, meaning our fluffy companions are often in dreamland more than they’re awake. It's hard not to be jealous of how much they get to rest.

3. Stubbs the Mayor: The Cat Who Ruled a Town

Imagine a cat being in charge of a whole town. Well, that’s exactly what happened in Talkeetna, Alaska! Stubbs, an orange tabby, served as the honorary mayor of this small town for a whopping 20 years. Though he didn’t have any legislative power, Stubbs was beloved by locals and tourists alike.

4. The Longest Cat in the World

Domestic cats are typically small and nimble creatures, but meet Stewie, the Maine Coon who set the record for the longest cat in the world. Stewie stretched to a length of 48.5 inches! That’s one huge kitty! If you think that’s impressive, wait till you hear about Arcturus, the tallest cat, who stood at 19.05 inches tall. These cats are breaking all the records!

5. The Richest Cat: A Fortune Beyond Imagination

The richest cat in the world wasn’t born into wealth, but inherited a fortune! Blackie, a cat whose millionaire owner passed away, received a $7 million inheritance after his owner left the entire fortune to the cat instead of his family. This is one lucky feline that certainly knew how to live the high life!

6. How Cats Walk: A Camel and Giraffe Twist

Did you know that cats walk in a way that's similar to camels and giraffes? They move with a sequence where their right feet move together, followed by their left feet. This “diagonal gait” makes them one of the only animals to walk this way. Pretty cool, right? It’s just another fascinating thing that makes cats so unique!

7. Isaac Newton: The Genius Behind the Cat Door

We all know Isaac Newton for his work on gravity, but did you know he also invented the cat door? Apparently, when Newton was working on his experiments, he was constantly interrupted by his cats scratching at the door. So, he had a carpenter cut two small holes in his door—one for the mother cat and one for her kittens.

8. A Cat in Space! Felicette, the Astrocat

We’ve all heard of monkeys and dogs going to space, but did you know that in 1963, a cat named Felicette was sent into space? Felicette, also known as "Astrocat," became the first—and only—cat to travel to space. She was part of a French space mission that aimed to study the effects of space travel on living beings. This little kitty truly went beyond the stars!

9. Ancient Egyptian Mourning Rituals for Cats

In Ancient Egypt, cats were revered, and when a cat passed away, it was a serious matter. Herodotus, a Greek historian, mentioned that families would shave their eyebrows in mourning when their pet cat died. Can you imagine the love and respect people had for their feline friends back then? It’s a deeply touching practice.

10. A Surprising Genetic Connection: House Cats and Tigers

Here’s a fact that might just amaze your mind: house cats share 95.6% of their genetic makeup with tigers! That’s right, your domestic kitty has more in common with a fierce tiger than you might have imagined. Cats also exhibit many behaviors similar to tigers, such as scent marking, stalking prey, and pouncing. Talk about a small but mighty connection!

Whether they’re breaking records, performing tricks, or just being their lovable selves, cats continue to surprise and enchant us!

3 Cool Facts About Cats!

Video by SciShow Kids