They live right next to us—cute and unassuming furry creatures. They can jump up to the fifth floor without taking a running start, distinguish nearly 50 shades of gray, and predict earthquakes and disasters. Here are a few facts that prove cats possess wonderful qualities and are in many ways superior to their owners.
They hear better
About 30 small muscles move the cat's ear canal, allowing the hearing organs to take many different positions.
Experts believe that cats and even dogs hear much better than humans—a gift from nature to their ancestors, wild nocturnal hunters. Cats' sensitivity to sound is four times greater than that of humans.
Our pets can accurately pinpoint the source of an emanating sound. Cats also hear high-frequency sounds that are inaudible to humans and perceive differences in pitch. Therefore, you can often see a cat staring at a single point—at that moment, your furry friend is picking up sound information.
Have a better sense of smell
Cats' sense of smell, which allows them to survive even in hostile environments, is 14 times more acute than humans'. This allows them to select unspoiled food, sense approaching enemies, and find a suitable mate.
A cat's sense of smell helps prevent them from getting lost, as their surroundings are often marked by other mammals. This organ, largely associated with olfaction, distinguishes cats from other animals. It is located in the nasal area and opens into the oral cavity. This is Jacobson's organ, named after the renowned Danish scientist. Its functions are still debated by experts. It is believed that Jacobson's organ allows cats to analyze the chemical composition of food and even predict natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions, landslides, and earthquakes.
They see better in the dark
Cats don't see clearly in bright light; their natural environment is diffused light and twilight. Starting at half a meter is the necessary distance to observe a cat's hunting field of action. Nocturnal animals excel here—their genetically engineered visual acuity allows them to perceive objects in detail and clarity (they see six times clearer than humans).
Cats have binocular vision, just like many mammals and humans—they focus both eyes on an object of interest and obtain precise information about its position in space. Cats have broader peripheral vision than humans. Furthermore, they see moving objects somewhat better than stationary ones.
They jump higher and run faster
Even a slowly trotting cat can outrun a person walking at a moderate speed. Experts estimate a cat's running speed to be approximately 13 kilometers per hour.
However, furry sprinters can achieve incredible results – 50 kilometers per hour.
When it comes to high jumping, it's unlikely that humans will be able to match their pets anytime soon. In a moment of danger, a cat can leap up to 3 meters! Given the average cat's overall size and length, that's roughly the height of a five-story building.
