The cat is one of the most fascinating and beautiful creatures in nature. They’re great companions and have many unique traits that make them incredibly cool.
The Sense of Smell
Cats have a super-strong sense of smell, 14 times better than a human. That means they can track down their prey with relative ease, and it’s also what makes them so good at hunting.
Their eyes are excellent at night vision, and they can see at less than half the level of light required for humans. This is partly due to their slit pupils, which allow them to focus light without chromatic aberration.
How They Walk
Like camels and giraffes, cats walk by moving their right feet first, then their left. This unique walking pattern is called ambilateral, and it’s a good thing for cats: it helps them avoid tripping and falling.
How They Survive Falls
The cat has a special reflex that allows it to fall safely from heights. When a cat falls, it spreads out its legs sideways and uses them as a parachute to reduce the impact of its body on the ground.
It’s not quite as impressive as a giraffe’s ability to leap, but this is still pretty cool. When cats are frightened, they often move their bodies in opposite directions to orient themselves, which makes it easier for them to land on their feet.
They also have a unique eartip, which makes them more likely to sniff out danger, and they can use their ears as whistles. And, they have a tendency to hiss or growl when they are scared.