Cat Quiz

In the interest of impartiality, since we did a dog quiz

last week, I thought a cat-themed quiz would be a good follow up. Plus, all those mothers out there with school-age kids need something else to do besides listen to the quiet. Culled from the questions on several cat related quizzes from Fun Trivia, a quiz is an interesting way to test your cat knowledge.

1. When do kittens open their eyes?
a. 1-3 weeks
b. 4-6 weeks
c. lst day
d. 2 months

2. The colors of cat fur are diverse; however, there are six coat colors considered basic. Which one is not considered a coat color?
a. Blue
b. Beige
c. Red
d. Cream
3. Some people are allergic to cat fur.
a. True
b. False

4. How many total whiskers does the average cat have coming from the "whisker pad," that puffy area between the top corners of the mouth and outer edges of its nose?
a. 16
c. 24
b. 20
d. 12

5, Polydactyly (a congenital physical anomaly of an unusual number of toes on one or more paws) is an extremely rare trait among cats worldwide.
a. True
b. False

6. On average, how many litters can two uncontrolled breeding cats have in a year?
a. 2-3
c. 1
b. 5-6
d. 4
Answers:

1.a. The most development occurs in the second week, and female kittens' eyes tend to open earlier than males. Kittens that open their eyes early usually come from parents that had the same trait. (seventy six percent of players answered correctly.)

2.b. The six basic fur colors are white, black, red (also called orange or ginger), brown, cream (a combination of white and red) and blue (also called gray). There are different shades and intensities of these colors, but all fit into these basic categories. (forty two percent of players answered correctly.)

3.b. People who are allergic to cats are not allergic to the cat's fur, but to the minuscule dried flakes of saliva that are left in the cat's fur after the cat cleans itself. These flakes, called dander, collect in the cat's fur and often lead people to assume that they are allergic to the cat's hair. (Thirty nine percent of players answered correctly.)

4. c. A cat has about 24 movable whiskers, 12 on each side of its nose. Some cats have more. (Twenty six percent of players answered correctly.)

5. b. Polydactyls are fairly common in Southwest Britain, along America's East coast and in Celtic areas, to name a few. They are also fairly well-known in the US, made famous in part by Hemmingway's interest in them. They also used to account for nearly 40 percent of the Maine Coon breed, before the trait was deliberately bred out of them, although recently attempts have been made to reinstate it. The double-pawed cats supposedly spread widely as a result of cats carried on ships originating in Boston. Sailors considered these cats good luck and also prized their extraordinary climbing and hunting abilities, which helped in controlling shipboard rodents. (Eighty five percent of players answered correctly.)

6.a. On average, a pair of two uncontrolled breeding cats can have two litters per year. During the first year, the pair of cats can have approximately 12 kittens. If left uncontrolled, they produce 66 cats the second year, 2,201 cats in the third year, 3,822 cats in the fourth year and 12,680 cats in the fifth year. By the 10th year, the two original uncontrolled breeding cats and their offspring can produce a staggering 80,399,780 cats, which is why it's so important to have your cat spayed or neutered. (Twenty five percent of players answered correctly.)

Find more interesting cat quizzes, or many other topics, at Fun Trivia.com. I

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Ltd., Nantucket's year round pet supply shop, Cold Noses downtown pet boutique and is a member of DWAA and CWA (Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America). Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retrieve, kitties Mr. Fish, Retd. and Priscilla. At the shop are Mr. Chips, Flower bunny and three budgies.