An aversion to water is one of the most well-known characteristics of household cats. However, this isn’t true of all felines. Some large cats, such as tigers, commonly take a dip to cool off or hunt prey, and even some domesticated breeds are known to enjoy a swim when the opportunity arises.

Animal specialists believe that cats purr to show contentment. Cats are born with the ability to purr; kittens make tiny rumbling sounds when they are nursing. Scientists think that purring starts out as a form of communication between a mother cat and her kittens.

Like meowing and purring, a cat’s arching back is part of its complex body language system, usually associated with feeling threatened.