Thursday 17 January 2008

How to Keep Warm In Winter

Did you know that cats wear two layers?
They have a layer of soft wool close to their skin for warmth.
They also have a top layer of coarse hair to keep out the wet.
Some cats, such as snow leopards, even wear snow shoes. During the winter they grow thick fur on their feet to broaden them and prevent them from sinking in the snow.
In winter, Siberian tigers grow thick shaggy coats of fur.
xxxxxxx
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15 comments:

Sheila said...

Such natural warmth, yet still they seek out a lap, a blanket, or a spot closest to the fire.
Wise creatures..
xx

A wildlife gardener said...

You are so right, Sheila. My gran used to say,'If you want to find the warmest place in the house...follow the cat!' I wonder if it's because they all originally came from hot countries?

Thanks for commenting on two of my blogs today, dear Sheila :)

Sally said...

I'm so happy to see that you let the cats in the house. I was thinking that you made them stay out in the barn. I miss my cats!

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A wildlife gardener said...

Welcome, dear Sally. Lovely to have your company. Titch, Taz and Cookie sleep in the barn at night, but are in the house on most days unless they are roaming around. Titch likes to lie under the boiler in the kitchen where he gets a heat when he's cold. Taz likes to lie on top of the microwave, though he does scarper when I have to use it! Cookie likes to be on a furry rug on a chair, as she is the most fragile of cats.

Thanks for commenting, dear Sally. Happy New Year to you :)

Anonymous said...

Cats are the BEST!
Meowy Christmas (belated)

A wildlife gardener said...

Good morning to you, dear Becky, and a Happy New Year to you. I agree, cats give so much pleasure.

Ki said...

Our cat loves to be outdoors even during the winter. Much more exciting chasing squirrels, catching the occasional deer mouse, voles, shrews and leaving them on our doorstep than being inside. Pretty yucky stepping on a mouse even if it's dead though so I wish he wouldn't leave so many gifts. Consequently he's grown a luxurious coat this winter which means a horrific amount of fur to clean up when warmer weather arrives.

A wildlife gardener said...

Goog morning, Ki, and welcome to our little corner of paradise on this blustery Sunday in late January.

Cats are great fun to watch and often emulate the behaviour of their cousins 'The Big Cats' :)

david mcmahon said...

I didn't know that about two layers. And I see it's minus 12 degrees in your neck of the woods. Here in Oz, we're in mid-summer!

Andree said...

I love your cats: they are gorgeous and comfortable and warm! Mine are too because they never go out now and only sleep. Big old lumps!

Greg C. II said...

Some cats are smart enough to grow two layers, but not mine. They'd much rather run you down to get into the house. :)

sandy said...

they are so adorable. I always forget you have this blog too...

sandy

A wildlife gardener said...

Thank you for introducing yourself, David McMahon, to our little corner of paradise. We live on opposite hemispheres...so our Winter, your Summer :)

A warm welcome to you too, Andree. Our cat, Monster, is a big one, though the three strays (who belong elsewhere but choose to live in our barn)we feed, who were once skin and bone, are fattening up now too :)

Nice to meet you, Greg 11. Your cats sound as if they are full of energy :)

This is where I post pictures each month of what's in bloom here or what's happening at Barleycorn, Sandy :)

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

I volunteered for a no-kill cat shelter that had a special barn section for ferals. Their outer coats were amazing. One cat, Emmy, looked like your average domestic short-hair in spring/summer and like the fluffiest Persian in winter. To be honest, I didn't even realize she was the same cat the first time I saw her in her summer fur! You can see her different looks in the bottom right photo.