Cat

Cats definitely play favorites, and it usually boils down to a combination of resources and “vibe.” They tend to bond most strongly with the person who provides the most consistent care, whether that is the one who handles the morning feeding or the one who knows exactly where the “good” chin scratches are located. They also value predictability; a person who moves calmly and respects their boundaries is much more likely to be chosen as the preferred napping partner. If you are the one your cat follows from room to room, consider it a high compliment to your “roommate” skills.

Cats are not entirely colorblind, but they don’t see the world with the same vibrant saturation that we do. They are “dichromats,” which means their eyes primarily pick up shades of blue and yellow. To a cat, a bright red laser pointer or a red toy probably looks like a dull shade of grey or muddy yellow. Their retinas have far fewer “cones”—the cells responsible for color—than human eyes do, but they make up for it with a massive amount of “rods.” This trade-off is why they can see in near-total darkness while we are still fumbling for a light switch.

The most common collective noun for a group of adult cats is a “clowder.” This term has its roots in Middle English and essentially refers to a huddle or a cluster. If the cats in the group are particularly wary or are watching something with intensity, you might also hear them called a “glaring.” While most house cats are solitary by nature, they often form these social groups around a shared food source. It is a bit of a formal name for what most of us just call “the crew on the back porch,” but it definitely adds a bit of flair to your feline trivia.