Portal:Cats/Did you know/4

European wildcat

...that the fauna of Scotland includes almost half of the EU’s breeding seabirds, but only one endemic vertebrate species, and that although a population of wildcats (pictured) remains, many of the larger mammals were hunted to extinction in historic times?
...that the average lifespan of a feral cat who survives kittenhood is two years, compared to 16 years for house cats?
...that in addition to human spaceflight, there have been many animals in space, including monkeys, apes, mice, dogs, guinea pigs, frogs, rats, cats, tortoises, fish, newts, insects, snails, spiders and nematodes?
...that in cat coat genetics, two different X-chromosome alleles must be expressed to create a calico?
...that Socks was one of Bill Clinton's two pets while President of the United States?
... that Grumpy Cat's signature facial expression is permanent and probably caused by feline dwarfism?