Ten cat facts

Which cat weighs as much as a motorbike? Watch this video to learn this and other fascinating facts about different kinds of cats.

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercises. Remember you can read the transcript at any time.

Preparation

Transcript

Maddie: Hi, I'm Maddie. Here are ten things you need to know about cats:

10. Domestic cats

Have you ever noticed your cat leaves wet paw marks during summer? Unlike us humans, cats don't have sweat glands all over their bodies; instead they only sweat through their paws. For cheetahs sprinting to catch prey in hot climates, this helps to cool them down.

9. Siberian tiger

The biggest cat in the world is the Siberian tiger, measuring a mighty 3.15 metres in length and weighing a hefty 265 kilograms, the same as a small motorbike.

8. Caracal

The ears of a caracal are controlled by 20 muscles allowing them to pinpoint their prey. It's also speculated that their prominent tufts of fur act as antennas to further enhance their hearing ability.

7. Lion

The loudest roar belongs to the lion. At 114 decibels it’s as loud as a chainsaw and can be heard up to 8 kilometres away.

6. Snow leopard

Snow leopards are impressive athletes, able to jump 15 metres in length and up to 9 metres high. That’s six times their body length. These rare cats live at high altitudes and have extra-long tails to help them balance.

5. Keratinised papillae

Cats have a hairbrush on their tongue. Comb-like structures called keratinised papillae allow them to groom and to lap up large amounts of fluid when they are drinking. Check out our slo-mo film to learn more.

4. Clouded leopard

In South East Asia, the clouded leopard has the biggest teeth of any cat relative to its size. Little is known about this mysterious feline that makes noises somewhere between a purr and a roar!

3. Amur leopard

The rarest cat in the world is the Amur leopard. It's thought that there are less than 35 of these creatures left in the wild owing to loss of habitat. Thankfully they are being bred successfully in captivity.

2. Margay

In the Amazon rainforest, the margay is the first and only scientifically documented case of a cat using vocal mimicry to hunt. Scientists were amazed to discover it copying the sounds of a baby pied tamarin, which enticed adult monkeys to investigate and within catching distance of this clever cat.

1. Black panther

The black panther is not a species of cat but in fact a jaguar, puma or leopard that is a genetic mutation. A gene called melanin causes the black pigmentation. In fact if you look closer you can still make out the intrinsic cat markings beneath the black coating.

What's your favourite cat's stat?

© BBC

 

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Average: 4.2 (5 votes)

Submitted by Hrachia on Wed, 13/05/2020 - 11:55

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I'm totally amazed hearing that snow leopards can jump up to 9 meters in high. It's almost 2 floor.
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Submitted by ckwgary on Sat, 02/05/2020 - 13:56

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I mean no offence to cat lovers. But breeding cats (say animals) that can only survive under the care of us--human is really loving animals?

Submitted by lgonzalez1241 on Mon, 27/04/2020 - 19:16

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Another fact about cats is that they have the power to sometimes heal themselves by purring. A domestic cat's purr has a frequency of between 25 and 150 Hertz, wich happens to be the frequency at which muscles and bones best grow and repair themselves. Thanks!

Submitted by Zhanadark1 on Mon, 27/04/2020 - 08:05

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I enjoyed the video and I found it very interesting and useful.

Submitted by Wafaa Ibrahim on Wed, 22/04/2020 - 11:26

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I am a cat person I have four cats at home. Frankly It was one cat and it was pregnant of three babies. And I have to learn everything about cats to help the new family (cats) live safely and peacefully.I enjoyed the video .Thanks for everything.
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Submitted by OlaIELTS on Sun, 19/04/2020 - 15:27

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More facts about cats is that they are domesticated carnivorous mammal with soft fur, a short snout and retractable claws. They are widely kept as a pet or for catching mice. And many breeds of cats has developed. I am 'a cat person'.