All of us dog, cat, bird, fish, or reptile people have one thing in common; we love our pets. Their little habits and quirks are what make them so special to us. So, to deepen your appreciation for your slimy, scaly, or furry friend, we’ve prepared ten funny facts you may not know about your pet.
1-Cats are one of the world's sleepiest animals
Only sloths, koalas, and a few other animals can claim to be sleepier than cats. Your average house cat can sleep up to sixteen hours a day, meaning that about 70% of its life is spent snoozing the day away.
2- A goldfish's memory is a lot longer than three seconds
An article published in the American Museum of Natural History showed that not only do goldfish have the ability to learn very quickly, but they can recall details that occurred up to a month in the past.
3- Once cats reach adulthood, they only meow for humans
As kittens, cats depend on their meow to tell their mother they are hungry or cold. However, as they grow into adulthood and become independent, this form of vocalization is no longer needed in the wild. This means that meowing becomes a form of communication that domesticated cats use only with their human owners.
4- Rabbit's teeth never stop growing
Rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, and rodents of all kinds have “open-rooted” teeth, meaning that their teeth continue growing throughout their entire life. Wild rabbits often chew on twigs and tree bark to keep their incisors from growing out of control.
5-Geckos have hairy feet
Ever wonder how gecko lizards are able to stick to walls and even scurry across ceilings? Well, it’s all thanks to their hairy feet! Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, discovered that many gecko species have rows of microscopic hairs, called setae, on the pad of each of their toes. These satae create immense friction, allowing them to “stick” to smooth surfaces.
6-Three dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic
Seven hundred six human passengers survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic, but did you know that three dogs safely made it back to shore as well? Among them was a pomeranian name Lady, whose owner, Margaret Hayes, wrapped her up in a blanket before boarding a lifeboat. It was assumed that Margaret was carrying a baby until Lady was spotted by a fellow survivor who exclaimed: “Oh, I suppose we ought to put a life preserver on the little doggie too.”
7-Frogs swallow with their eyeballs
If you’ve ever seen a frog catch and swallow an insect, you may have noticed its eyes temporarily sink back into its head. As it turns out, frogs actually use their eyeballs to push down onto the roof of their mouths, helping to force their prey down their throats.
8-Doctor or dog nose?
Scientists estimate that dogs’ sense of smell can be up to 100,000 times more acute than that of humans. This super sniffing ability allows some dogs to pick up on changes in the human body that would usually only be identifiable in a laboratory. For example, in 2022, one research study showed that by sniffing human sweat samples, dogs were able to identify positive covid-19 cases with 97% accuracy, that’s more sensitive than many antigen tests!
9-Snakes are solar powered
Snakes and reptiles of all kinds are often referred to as cold-blooded. This doesn’t literally mean that their blood is cold. Instead, it means that they cant internally regulate heat, so they depend on heat sources like the sun to function. So when your pet snake is basking under its heat lamp, essentially, it’s charging its batteries.
10- Your pet cockatoo may outlive you
Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos have an average lifespan of 40-60 years in captivity. However, Cookie, a cockatoo at the Brookfield zoo, lived to be 83 years old! Talk about a wise old bird!
Show Your Funny Pet Some Love
We hope these ten fun facts have made you fall even more in love with your pet! So, why not show them how much you care about them by treating them to a day at a Pet Ponderosa Resort and Spa in Graham, Washington? Contact us today to make a reservation!