Domestic Cat

Common Name:

Domestic Cat

Scientific Name:

Felis catus

Type:

Mammals

Diet:

Carnivore

Size:

28 inches

Weight:

5 to 20 pounds

Where Do Cats Come From?

Dear Lykkers, from ancient Egyptians to today’s internet users, cats have always been adored. In the U.S., approximately 45.3 million households are home to these feline companions. With at least 45 domestic breeds recognized by the Cat Fancier’s Association, cats exhibit a diverse range of features such as coat color, tail length, hair texture, and temperament.

The Maine-Coon holds the title of the largest domestic cat breed, with males averaging 3.5 feet in length. On the other hand, the Singapura, native to Singapore, is the smallest, with grown females weighing as little as four pounds. Among the most unusual-looking breeds is the Sphynx, a mostly hairless and highly intelligent cat. Like their larger wild cousins, domestic cats are obligate carnivores, requiring a meat-based diet for optimal health. Despite thousands of years of domestication, they retain strong hunting instincts, using stealth, sharp claws, and teeth to stalk and capture prey.

Nocturnal by nature, cats possess exceptional vision and hearing, with ears that can swivel like satellite dishes. Their famed agility and ability to land on their feet stem from their lean, muscular build, a flexible spine, and balancing tails. Cushioning discs between their vertebrae enhance their speed and flexibility.

Kitty Origins

Cats were first domesticated around 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent. DNA studies trace their lineage to the African wildcat, Felis silvestris lybica, still the most common wildcat species today.

Initially, these wildcats were attracted to human settlements by the abundance of mice and food scraps. Over time, humans found these rodent catchers beneficial, leading to a mutual living arrangement. Cats were later brought aboard ships, spreading them worldwide.

An independent domestication attempt occurred in China about 5,000 years ago involving the leopard cat. However, since modern domestic cats are not related to leopard cats, this coexistence appears to have been short-lived.

Reproduction

Female cats reach maturity at four months old, entering heat several times a year. After a gestation period of 64 days, an average of four kittens is born per litter. The young are weaned at around two months and grow rapidly, achieving grown size by 10 months to a year.

Interestingly, a single litter can have multiple fathers, especially among urban cats where lower aggression among males makes this phenomenon more common.

Speaking Feline

Cats are adept at communication, both with other cats and their human caregivers. A quickly swishing tail often indicates aggression, while a tucked tail signifies nervousness. Relaxed cats move their ears forward and keep their tails upright or perpendicular to the ground.

A behavior known as bunting, where cats rub their faces on objects, other cats, or people, serves multiple purposes. It allows them to mark territory, bond, or show affection using the scent glands in their faces.

To create a sense of comfort, slow eye-blinking can be used as a sign of friendliness. Cats often reciprocate this gesture with their own slow blink, signifying contentment.

Did You Know?

- Cats display paw preferences, with males favoring their left paw and females their right, similar to human handedness.

- In ancient Egypt, mourning the family cat involved shaving eyebrows, symbolizing grief.

Sources: Animal Behaviour, University College London