Welcome to issue #19 of Chumka’s Weekly!

Hello there furriend and happy Caturday! Hope you get to enjoy the fall/autumn weather.. or maybe it’s spring time for you?! 💛

Did you know your cat has its own “finger” print?

Now you might think my cat has paws and toe beans - which are far from “fingers”. And you’re correct! But did you know that fingerprints also go by another name? Dermal ridges!

When you look at the dermal ridges (finger prints) under the microscope, those tiny patterns of swirls, loops and whorls look like a topographic map, complete with valleys and ridges.

Now take a close look at your cat’s nose. You might be able to notice those bumps and ridges. (Dogs and pigs (!) have this same unique trait and since their noses are bigger than cats’ it is easier to see on them)

These ridges and bumps are formed in the womb and are determined by the cat’s genes. It’s like a little genetic puzzle, with each piece fitting together to create a unique nose print!

Those prints are exclusive to each animal and can be used for identification, just like your fingerprints can!

In fact, there has apparently been some talk about using nose prints as a form of identification, but good luck with getting your cat to tolerate having her nose inked and pressed against a piece of paper! lol