# 14 Cat Facts

Here are some interesting facts about cats. The first is about cats' vocal cords. Each cat has two sets. One cord is above the other. The lower cord produces the "meow." The upper cord produces purrs and growls. Another fact deals with cats' visions. In complete and total darkness, cats cannot see. But if there is even a glimmer from stars or the moon, they can see. A cat's iris can open very wide. It catches even small scraps of light.

The third fact is about cats' whiskers. Most cats have 25 to 30 whiskers. They grow in four rows from the side of the mouth. It is said that the whiskers are used for measuring. That is, a cat will not go through a hole if its whiskers touch the sides. This is not true. The whiskers are attached to nerves. They are delicate sense organs.

Cats are the cleanest of animals. You have, no doubt, watched them wash. The cat licks its paw first. Then with a wet paw it washes its face and head. Finally it cleans the rest of its body with its tongue. The tongue is special. It has a patch of sharp spines. The spines are near the tip of the tongue. These spines face backward. The tip of the tongue feels like a coarse file. So the cat grooms itself with its rasplike tongue. The tongue, like a comb, picks up loose hair. Cats often swallow these balls of hair. They can cause some stomach trouble. A vet is often needed.

All in all, a cat is smart, clean, and has lots of dignity. It will not transfer its trust to you simply because it is in your house. To get that trust, you have to earn it. The best way to do this, it seems, is with kindness.

# 14 貓的事實

這裡有一些關於貓的有趣事實。第一個是關於貓的聲帶。每隻貓有兩套聲帶。一套在另一套的上方。下方的聲帶產生「喵喵」聲。上方的聲帶產生呼嚕聲和低吼聲。另一個事實涉及貓的視力。在完全黑暗的環境中，貓看不見。但如果有來自星星或月亮的微光，牠們就能看見。貓的虹膜可以張得很開。它能捕捉到即使是很小的光線碎片。

第三個事實是關於貓的鬍鬚。大多數貓有25到30根鬍鬚。牠們從嘴巴側面分四排生長。據說鬍鬚用於測量。也就是說，如果貓的鬍鬚碰到洞口邊緣，牠就不會通過那個洞。這不是真的。鬍鬚連接著神經。牠們是精細的感覺器官。

貓是最愛乾淨的動物。你無疑看過牠們清洗自己。貓先舔舐爪子。然後用濕爪子洗臉和頭部。最後用舌頭清潔身體的其他部分。舌頭很特別。它有一片尖銳的倒刺。這些刺靠近舌尖。這些刺朝向後方。舌尖摸起來像粗銼刀。所以貓用牠銼刀般的舌頭梳理自己。舌頭像梳子一樣，會帶起鬆散的毛髮。貓經常吞下這些毛球。牠們可能引起一些胃部問題。經常需要看獸醫。

總而言之，貓聰明、乾淨且很有尊嚴。牠不會僅僅因為在你家裡就將信任轉移給你。要獲得那種信任，你必須贏得它。做到這一點的最佳方式，似乎是透過善意。