Cat facts

General

Cat, Domestic, small, mainly carnivorous animal, Felis catus, member of the family Felidae, popular as a household pet, and valuable for killing mice and rats. Like other members of the cat family, the domestic cat has retractile claws; keen hearing and smell; remarkable night vision; and a compact, muscular, and highly supple body. Cats possess excellent memory and exhibit considerable aptitude for learning by observation and experience. The natural life span of a domestic cat is about 15 years.

1. Origin of Species
   Most authorities believe that the shorthaired breeds of domestic cat are derived from the Caffre cat, F. libyca...
2. Physiology of the Cat
   The body of a domestic cat is extremely flexible; its skeleton contains more than 230 bones...
3. Senses
   The cat's vision is exceptionally well adapted for hunting, especially at night...
4. Coat Colors
   The domestic cat's original coat color was probably greyish-brown with darker tabby stripes...
5. Cat Breeds
   About 40 varieties, or breeds, of domestic cats are recognized internationally...
6. Cat Shows
   A cat association is an organization that registers cats and kittens, selects cat show judges...
7. History and Legend
   Cats became objects of worship in Egypt because of their ability to keep down the rodent population...
8. Cats in Art and Literature
   Egyptian tomb paintings and sculpture are the earliest representations of the domestic cat...