Cats in the Colosseum

Who'd a guessed? Cats are everywhere in Rome. 300,000 cats live in the Eternal City; 180,000 in homes, 120,000 in the streets, and 4,000 colonies of cats. They are so popular that a law states that a group of more than 5 cats in the natural urban habitat constitutes a protected feline colony. In exchange for being sheltered, fed and protected, the cats must accept hygienic rules and sterilization. About 200 cats live in the Colosseum and they are said to be happy and healthy. Romans generally love cats, because they are graceful, harmless, clean, and keep the rats at bay.



Both my sons are intrigued by the Colosseum and its history. We have been reading about it online and also enjoying the Ancient Rome Eyewitness book. We are compiling our Paris/Rome sightseeing list and will continue researching the sights and gaining understanding of these places. Then it will be such a thrill to see them and hear the boys tell me what they learned!

Here's a cool link I recently found for kids: Fact Monster
Its an educational site that includes a dictionary, encyclopedia, almanac, atlas and many other links for news, science, math, games, sports and fun daily features. My 8 year old loves it!

Hope the sun is shining in your neck of the woods,
Marla