Animal Facts
Discover interesting and fun facts about cats, dogs, and other animals. Learn fascinating information about our furry friends.
Cat Facts
Get Random FactThe silks created by weavers in Baghdad were inspired by the beautiful and varied colors and markings of cat coats. These fabrics were called 'tabby' by European traders.
The first formal cat show was held in England in 1871; in America, in 1895.
The first cat show was organized in 1871 in London. Cat shows later became a worldwide craze.
In 1987, cats overtook dogs as the number one pet in America (about 50 million cats resided in 24 million homes in 1986). About 37% of American homes today have at least one cat.
Normal body temperature for a cat is 102 degrees F.
A cat's hearing is much more sensitive than humans and dogs.
The strongest climber among the big cats, a leopard can carry prey twice its weight up a tree.
Cats walk on their toes.
A cat rubs against people not only to be affectionate but also to mark out its territory with scent glands around its face. The tail area and paws also carry the cat’s scent.
A cat cannot see directly under its nose.
A cat’s brain is biologically more similar to a human brain than it is to a dog’s. Both humans and cats have identical regions in their brains that are responsible for emotions.
The little tufts of hair in a cat’s ear that help keep out dirt direct sounds into the ear, and insulate the ears are called “ear furnishings.”
A cat's whiskers are thought to be a kind of radar, which helps a cat gauge the space it intends to walk through.
A form of AIDS exists in cats.
Owning a cat is actually proven to be beneficial for your health.
Dog Facts
Get Random FactWalt Disney's family dog -- named Sunnee -- was the inspiration behind "Lady and the Tramp."
The first dogs were self-domesticated wolves which, at least 12,000 years ago, became attracted to the first sites of permanent human habitation.
Rin Tin Tin was the first Hollywood dog star and he really signed his movie contracts – all 22 of them – with a paw-print.
There are over 58 million dogs in the US
The U.S. has the highest dog population in the world. France has the second highest.
Chase that tail! Dogs chase their tails for a variety of reasons: curiosity, exercise, anxiety, predatory instinct or, they might have fleas! If your dog is chasing his tail excessively, talk with your vet.
Dogs have lived with humans for over 14,000 years. Cats have lived with people for only 7,000 years.
Wow, check out those choppers! Puppies have 28 teeth and normal adult dogs have 42.
Dogs have a ligament in the neck which allows them to conserve energy while running long distances following scent trails with their nose to the ground. Many other species have a similar ligament and it is called a Paddywhack.
Perky-eared dogs hear sounds better than floppy-eared dogs.
During the Renaissance, detailed portraits of the dog as a symbol of fidelity and loyalty appeared in mythological, allegorical, and religious art throughout Europe, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Diego Velázquez, Jan van Eyck, and Albrecht Durer.
The American Kennel Club, the most influential dog club in the United States, was founded in 1884.
The normal body temperature of a dog is 100.94 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 Celsius) to 102.56 F (39.2 C) whereas human normal body temperature 98.6 F (37 C).
Rin Tin Tin was the first Hollywood dog star.
Dogs belong to a biological family called the Canidae, a member of this family is called a canid. This is the origin of the adjective "canine" which means "of or like a dog, relating to or characteristic of dogs".
General Animal Facts
Get Random FactThere are 1 million ants for every human in the world.
The male seahorse carries the eggs until they hatch instead of the female.
The penguin is the only bird that can’t fly but can swim.
Elephants only sleep for two hours each day.
One-fourth of the world`s population lives on less than $200 a year. Ninety million people survive on less than $75 a year.
Some lions mate over 50 times a day.
A giraffe can clean its ears with its 21-inch tongue!
Ninety percent of all species that have become extinct have been birds.
Most lipstick contains fish scales.
A blue whales heart only beats nine times per minute.
The muzzle of a lion is like a fingerprint - no two lions have the same pattern of whiskers.
You share your birthday with at least 9 million other people in the world.
Over 1000 birds a year die from smashing into windows!
Sailfish can leap out of the water and into the air at a speed of 50 miles (81 km) per hour.
Humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure.