Purr-fect Knowledge: A Fun Cat Trivia Quiz

Test your feline facts! Explore curious cat history, quirks, and science in this playful quiz—perfect for curious kids 12+. Ready to pounce on the answers?

  1. What is the name for the study of cats and their behavior?
    1. Felidology
    2. Felinopathy
    3. Felinology
    4. Cattology
  2. Which of the following body parts helps cats land on their feet during a fall?
    1. Tail
    2. Whiskers
    3. Claws
    4. Ears
  3. Why do cats purr when they are injured or sick?
    1. Because they want attention
    2. Healing mechanism
    3. They mimic bird calls
    4. To signal territory
  4. In which country were the first known cat breeds selectively bred by humans?
    1. India
    2. Mesopotamia
    3. Egypt
    4. China
  5. What part of a cat’s eye reflects light and improves night vision?
    1. Tapetum lucidum
    2. Cornea
    3. Iris
    4. Lens
  6. Which fictional cat dreams of owning a big red truck and sings about it?
    1. Puss in Boots
    2. Heathcliff
    3. Garfield
    4. Felix the Cat
  7. What small rodent-like prey most influences a housecat’s hunting behavior?
    1. Squirrel
    2. Mouse
    3. Rabbit
    4. Shrew
  8. What term describes a cat that has a white coat with patches of two other colors?
    1. Tabby
    2. Tortoiseshell
    3. Bicolor
    4. Calico

Answers and explanations

  1. Question: What is the name for the study of cats and their behavior?
    Answer: Felinology
    Explanation: Felinology is the scientific study of domestic cats and their behavior, biology, and care. An interesting fact: felinologists may study cat communication, hunting behavior, and genetics to improve welfare and understand how cats adapt to human environments.
  2. Question: Which of the following body parts helps cats land on their feet during a fall?
    Answer: Tail
    Explanation: A cat's tail acts as a counterbalance and steering rudder during a fall, helping it orient its body so the feet face downward. Interestingly, combined with a flexible spine and the righting reflex, this allows many cats to land with minimal injury from moderate heights.
  3. Question: Why do cats purr when they are injured or sick?
    Answer: Healing mechanism
    Explanation: Cats purr when injured or sick because low-frequency vibrations from purring can promote tissue healing, reduce pain and inflammation, and stimulate bone growth — essentially acting as a self-soothing, therapeutic mechanism. This is important because it helps injured cats recover more efficiently in
  4. Question: In which country were the first known cat breeds selectively bred by humans?
    Answer: Egypt
    Explanation: Ancient Egyptians are credited with the earliest selective breeding of cats, domesticating and valuing them for pest control and religious symbolism; cats were often mummified and depicted in art. This early breeding helped shape the domestic cat's close relationship with humans and its spread along
  5. Question: What part of a cat’s eye reflects light and improves night vision?
    Answer: Tapetum lucidum
    Explanation: The tapetum lucidum is a reflective layer behind the retina that bounces light back through light-sensitive cells, boosting sensitivity in low light. Fun fact: it’s also why cats’ eyes shine when light hits them at night and helps many nocturnal animals see better in the dark.
  6. Question: Which fictional cat dreams of owning a big red truck and sings about it?
    Answer: Garfield
    Explanation: Garfield, the lasagna‑loving comic strip cat created by Jim Davis, famously imagines and sings about owning a big red truck in some TV specials and comic storylines. He's important as one of the most recognizable cartoon cats, influencing pop culture and merchandising worldwide.
  7. Question: What small rodent-like prey most influences a housecat’s hunting behavior?
    Answer: Mouse
    Explanation: Mice are the primary small rodent prey that drive domestic cats’ stalking and pouncing behavior; their quick movements and scent trigger a cat’s hunt sequence. Interesting fact: even well-fed housecats will hunt mice because the behavior is instinctive and provides mental and physical stimulation.
  8. Question: What term describes a cat that has a white coat with patches of two other colors?
    Answer: Calico
    Explanation: A calico cat has a white coat with patches of two other colors (usually black and orange); this distinctive tricolor pattern is linked to X-chromosome genetics, so most calicos are female. Calicos are culturally popular and often considered lucky in many countries.