cat likes hot water

I was just wondering if someone might could explain to me why my cat loves to drink hot water. I'll be lying down in my bath tub, and he will lean down, reasting his two front paws on my leg, and drink the hot bath water for several minutes. This fascinates me. I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this or knew about it. Thanks,

Ryan

Sometimes JC, who loves running water, will stick his head through the shower curtain & lick the drips from the wall. My other kitties seem to dislike the steamy conditions, however. Years ago, my original JC would do the same thing - and the first JC loved to drink bath water, too. Not sure why, but it's nice to have company while bathing, isn't it Maybe someone will come along & give us an answer! BTW, I try to keep a small trickle flowing for JC, in the sink, so thirst isn't the answer.