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Loving the bewhiskered: Fun facts about cats

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March 1, the first day of spring, and International Cat Day!

March 1, the first day of spring, and International Cat Day!

© RIA Novosti . Sergei KirkachCats have been deities, talismans and hunters for men since ancient times. But more than anything else, they are devoted pets, despite their independent spirits, and always remain loyal to their owners.
Loving the bewhiskered: Fun facts about cats - Sputnik International
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Cats have been deities, talismans and hunters for men since ancient times. But more than anything else, they are devoted pets, despite their independent spirits, and always remain loyal to their owners.
© RIA Novosti . Igor Zarembo / Go to the mediabankThe domestic cat is a mammal. Including both extinct and living animals, there are 37 species of mammal.
Loving the bewhiskered: Fun facts about cats - Sputnik International
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The domestic cat is a mammal. Including both extinct and living animals, there are 37 species of mammal.
© RIA Novosti . Alena BikovaCats were domesticated long after dogs. And it's not really clear why exactly humans decided to befriend this animal.
Loving the bewhiskered: Fun facts about cats - Sputnik International
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Cats were domesticated long after dogs. And it's not really clear why exactly humans decided to befriend this animal.
© RIA Novosti . Sergei KirkachIn Ancient Egypt, the cat was considered a sacred animal and the guardian of the hearth. Cats were even protected by law. Killing a cat was punishable by the death penalty. When a cat died, its household would go into mourning. The cat was mummified and buried in a special cemetary.
Loving the bewhiskered: Fun facts about cats - Sputnik International
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In Ancient Egypt, the cat was considered a sacred animal and the guardian of the hearth. Cats were even protected by law. Killing a cat was punishable by the death penalty. When a cat died, its household would go into mourning. The cat was mummified and buried in a special cemetary.
© Flickr / endbradleyIn France, the cat was thought to be a magic creature. The medieval inquisition would burn them together with those suspected to be witches.
Loving the bewhiskered: Fun facts about cats - Sputnik International
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In France, the cat was thought to be a magic creature. The medieval inquisition would burn them together with those suspected to be witches.
© Flickr / ~~SuPeRnOvA~~ / Go to the mediabankAt the start of the 20th century, people began to breed cats. Different breeds would differentiate cats in size, ancestry, the structure, length and color of fur, and eye color.
Loving the bewhiskered: Fun facts about cats - Sputnik International
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At the start of the 20th century, people began to breed cats. Different breeds would differentiate cats in size, ancestry, the structure, length and color of fur, and eye color.
© Flickr / PargonToday there are around 400 cat breeds and color variations in the world.
Loving the bewhiskered: Fun facts about cats - Sputnik International
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Today there are around 400 cat breeds and color variations in the world.
© RIA Novosti . Igor Zarembo / Go to the mediabankDespite the fact that domestic cats are extremely popular and widespread, there some countries, such as Peru and Gabon, where they are almost nowhere to be found.
Loving the bewhiskered: Fun facts about cats - Sputnik International
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Despite the fact that domestic cats are extremely popular and widespread, there some countries, such as Peru and Gabon, where they are almost nowhere to be found.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Danichev / Go to the mediabankAlthough cats were domesticated a long time ago, their habits have changed very little from those of their wild ancestors. They have merely adapted them to living indoors.
Loving the bewhiskered: Fun facts about cats - Sputnik International
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Although cats were domesticated a long time ago, their habits have changed very little from those of their wild ancestors. They have merely adapted them to living indoors.
© RIA Novosti . Alexandr Natruskin / Go to the mediabankCats are sensitive to sound and intonation. They can remember up to 50 words and connect them with the right actions.
Loving the bewhiskered: Fun facts about cats - Sputnik International
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Cats are sensitive to sound and intonation. They can remember up to 50 words and connect them with the right actions.
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