Did You Know?

Pugs have been around for over 2,000 years, and they were favored by Chinese emperors as royal lapdogs. They were so precious that they even had bodyguards to protect them! The breed is also known for their charming “wrinkles,” but did you know that their “wrinkles” were originally bred to resemble the ancient Chinese symbol for good luck, which was a “fu” character?

  • Dogs’ noses are wet to help absorb scent chemicals more effectively.
  • Basenjis don’t bark—they yodel! It’s called a “barroo.”
  • Dogs have about 1,700 taste buds, compared to 9,000 in humans.
  • The Greyhound is the fastest dog breed, capable of reaching speeds up to 45 mph (72 km/h).
  • Dogs can smell medical conditions, including diabetes and some cancers.
  • A cat can rotate its ears 180 degrees, and each ear has 32 muscles.
  • Cats don’t have a sweet tooth—they can’t taste sweetness due to a missing receptor.
  • Whiskers are highly sensitive and can detect even the slightest change in air currents.
  • The world’s oldest cat on record, Creme Puff, lived to be 38 years old.
  • Cats sleep 12 to 16 hours a day on average—true napping champions!
  • Parrots can live for decades—some macaws can live up to 80 years!
  • The hummingbird is the only bird that can fly backward.
  • A group of crows is called a murder.
  • Pigeons can recognize themselves in mirrors, a sign of advanced cognition.
  • Some birds, like the lyrebird, can mimic chainsaws, alarms, and even human speech!
  • Clownfish are all born male; some later become female to breed.
  • The mandarinfish is one of the only fish species that doesn’t rely on scales for protection—it uses mucus coatings.
  • Some fish, like discus, secrete a slime that their young feed on after hatching.
  • Neon tetras are most vivid in low-light or dark environments—making them stunning in dim aquariums.
  • Angelfish are monogamous and often form strong pair bonds.