An unusual reason for the love of cats for catnip is revealed.

Japanese scientists have found that when catnip leaves are damaged, a large amount of insect repellant is released. Having studied the behavior of cats, the second detail was revealed - they do not eat leaves, but basically damage them and play. That is, evolutionarily, a significant part of the love of cats for catnip is associated with protection against mosquitoes - damaging its leaves and, as it were, bathing in repellent, fluffy ones protected themselves from insect bites.