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 COMMON NAME: Domestic Cat

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Felis catus

TYPE: Mammals

DIET: Carnivore

SIZE: 28 inches

WEIGHT: 5 to 20 pounds

S I Z E R E L AT I V E T O A 6 - F T M A N :

I U C N R E D L I S T S TAT U S : ? Not evaluated

LC NT VU EN CR EW EX

LEAST CONCERN EXTINCT

C U R R E N T P O P U L A T I O N T R E N D : Unknown

Where do cats come from?

From ancient Egyptians to today’s internet users, people have always
loved their cats.
:
In the U.S. alone, cats reign over about 45.3 million households. There are
at least 45 domestic breeds, which differ widely in features such as coat
color, tail length, hair texture, and temperament, according to the Cat
Fancier’s Association.

The Maine Coon is the largest, with males reaching an average of 3.5 feet
long. The smallest breed is the Singapura, native to Singapore, with adult
females weighing as little as four pounds. One of the most unusual-
looking cats is the Sphynx, a mostly hairless cat known for being robust
and intelligent.

Like their big cat cousins, house cats are obligate carnivores, meaning
they have to eat meat to stay healthy. Though they’ve been domesticated
for thousands of years, these predators have maintained a strong hunting
instinct, relying on stealth to stalk prey and attack with sharp claws and
teeth. (Learn surprising things you never knew about your cat.)

As mostly nocturnal animals, cats have excellent vision and hearing, with
ears that can turn like satellite dishes. Their reputation for having nine
lives stems in part from their ability to navigate difficult environments, for
example using their tail to balance and mostly land their lean, muscular
bodies on all fours. Cushioning discs between vertebrae also give cat
bodies exceptional flexibility and speed.

Kitty origins
People began to domesticate cats in the Fertile Crescent about 10,000
:
years ago, according to DNA research. Modern-day cats descended from a
subspecies of African wildcat, Felis silvestris lybica, which today is the
most common and widespread wildcat. (Read more about little-known
small wildcats.)

Thousands of years ago, these wildcats were likely drawn to human

settlements and their plentiful mice and food scraps. People realized these
rodent catchers were helpful to have around, and eventually the two
species began living together. Later, people began to bring felines aboard
ships as they traveled the world. (Read about house cat ancestors’
remains found in Polish caves.)

Another, independent foray into cat domestication occurred in China

about 5,000 years ago with another wildcat species the leopard cat. Since
domestic cats today aren’t related to leopard cats, the harmony doesn’t
seem to have lasted.

Reproduction
Females reach sexual maturity at just four months old and go into heat
several times a year. Gestation lasts about 64 days, with an average litter
size of four kittens. Young are usually weaned at two months old and grow
rapidly, reaching adult size by the time they’re 10 months to a year old.

One litter of kittens can have multiple fathers, a phenomenon more likely
in city cats due to crowding and lower aggression among males.

Speaking feline
:
Cats are masters at communicating with other cats and their human
caregivers. For instance, a quickly swishing tail signals aggression, while a
tucked tail means they’re nervous.

When relaxed, a cat will move its ears forward and point its tail up in the
air or perpendicular to the ground. (Related: “What is your cat trying to
tell you? Vets weigh in.”)

When cats rub their faces on the furniture, other cats, or a person, it may
be a behavior called bunting. Cats have scent glands in their face, and
bunting allows them to mark their territory, bond with other cats, or show
affection.

Speaking of, if you want to make your cat feel comfortable, look them in
the eye and blink your eyes very slowly. They recognize this as a sign of
friendliness, and you may notice them returning the slow blink—a sign of
contentedness.

And it wouldn’t hurt to call them Your Majesty.

D I D YO U K N OW

Like humans, cats display a preference for a particular paw, with

males more often favoring their left paw and females their right.

—Animal Behaviour

If the family cat died in an ancient Egyptian household, family

members might shave their eyebrows as a show of mourning.
:
 —University College London

Domestic cats lack a taste receptor for sweetness.

—Journal of Nutrition

1:06

T H E S C I E N C E O F M E OW
Do you know what your cat is saying when it meows at you? Researchers in Sweden are trying
to give us a better idea by identifying melodic patterns in cat vocalizations.
:
 GO FURTHER

ANIMALS

ANIMALS ANIMALS ANIMALS

Meet the ‘giant’ river crabs that This gorilla is 50 years old and still Why are there
live beneath Rome’s ancient ruins nursing orphans. Why? supersized sh
island?

E N V I RO N M E N T
:
 ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMEN

How pulling carbon out of the Can Paris clean up the Seine in What fuel mad
ocean may help remove it from time for the Olympics? could do for th
the air

H I S T O RY & C U LT U R E

H I S TO RY & C U LT U R E H I S TO RY & C U LT U R E H I STO RY & C

A glimpse into the Do you have poor posture at The alleged a

misunderstood history of geisha work? So did the ancient century-long
Egyptians

SCIENCE
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 SCIENCE G O RY D E TA I L S SCIENCE SCIENCE
M I N D , B O D Y, W O N D E R
Why some people love Why drones a
disgusting smells Why hiking is uniquely beneficial fireworks show
for your body and your brain

T R AV E L

T R AV E L T R AV E L T R AV E L
A DV E N T U R E S E V E RY W H E R E
A culinary guide to Chicago 5 lesser known
National monuments are beyond ‘The Bear’ add to your b
underrated—these are some of
our favorites
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