Share some cat/cat-related facts that you know!

[Noahh]

I'll begin. "ailurophile" means "a cat lover." And "aelurophile " means "a lover of cats." Also called "felinophile," "philofelist," and "philogalist." And "Ailurophilia" means "a fondness or love of cats or other felines."

While "ailurophobia" is a phobia that has to do with cats. "Extreme or irrational fear of cats. " Also called "felinophobia." (I feel bad for anyone who has this phobia!)

 

[Jcatbird]

Polydactyl cats, “many toed”, are cats with more than the usual number of toes on front or even all four paws. They are said to have been favored on sailing ships for their excellent hunting skills and climbing abilities. The Maine Coon breed often produces polydactyl cats, although any breed can produce them. It’s a genetic anomaly but not terribly rare. The “Hemmingway” cats are polydactyl. Ernest Hemmingway had polydactyls as beloved companions. We think of them as being six toed cats but they can have more than six!
Another couple of interesting genetic facts, Calico kitties are almost always female and orange tabby cats are often male. Statistics vary but about 20% of orange tabby are said to be female. We seem to have a good share of female orange tabbies on TCS!

 

[minish]

although typically attributed to intact males, spray-marking behavior is also observed in female cats, even if they are spayed (from experience - minish does the motion only around the house door but no fluids as far as human eye can see

 

[Neko-chan's mama]

The penalty for killing a cat in ancient Egypt was death.

 

[Lola3791]

The penalty for killing a cat in ancient Egypt was death.

Cats were also mummified too.

 

[vince]

Cats were also mummified too.

Yes, definitely. One of my friend's sisters was a curator intern at the Toledo Art Museum and once got to hold their mummified Egyptian cat. She said it smelled like an old sock!

 

[bengalcatman]

Cats have more smell receptors in their noses than dogs. AND they have them on both sides separately, so they smell in "stereo."

 

[Jemima Lucca]

I learned today that cats are the unlucky recipients of being the only animals that have a toxicity to lilies. Dogs can eat them and all they get is a slight tummy ache