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.

Instructions

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

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?

Task 1

Exercise

Task 2

Exercise

Discussion

What other facts about cats do you know?

Some people say they are 'a cat person'. Others say they are 'a dog person'. Which one are you?

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Worksheet57.56 KB

Language level

B2 - Upper intermediate

C1 - Advanced

C2 - Proficiency

Topics

animals and pets

I prefer dogs over cats . dogs are very friendly and cute. it acts as a loyal bodyguard in your home.

I like both cats and dogs
I hope mom accepts to bring a kitten to home

I love both of them. but I'm a dog person. the dog always loves unconditionally and they are friendly in nature. my dog is very intelligent and easily understands everything. when I was 15years old I had a cat. one day one cat came to my house and I gave milk. every day she came to my house and I gave daily different food. she play with me and I give a name of her. she always loves me one day she came and I saw that she was pregnant she gave me 3baby in my house. but after some time she died. I really hurt and I just care about his child.

I prefer dogs over cats because dogs are friendlier and you feel like they show more expressions of love than a cat. I also think that dogs are more fun to play with than a cat.

I know that cats were very special animals in the Ancient Egypt. However, for me they aren't. I are more a "dog person".

My favorite specie of cat is the Black panther because it looks like a mystery animal that could have magic powers, it's not true but in the night it'll be such as a cautious hunter with extreme skills.

I am a cat person. Cats are fantastic carnivorous mammal which have awesome abilities, such as they have psychic whiskers, super-quick feet, balancing tail, extraordinary hearing, far-sighted focus, tough tongue and feline flexibility.

I'm probably a cat person, but last time I thouht about having a little dog. The interesting fact about the cat is that it could lie down on the place on your body where you could feel the the pain.

I prefer completely to take care of cat. Because cats are more willing to be lonely. It has a ability to handle up their problems I think. But dogs expect always interesting.

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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