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The domestic cat has a smaller skull and shorter bones than the European wildcat. [47] It averages about 46 cm (18 in) in head-to-body length and 23–25 cm (9.1–9.8 in) in height, with about 30 cm (12 in) long tails. Males are larger than females. [48] Adult domestic cats typically weigh 4–5 kg (8.8–11.0 lb).
- Overview
- Origin and history of cats
- Domestication
- Associations with human culture
- Identifying cats
- Breed origins
- Colors and patterns
- Tortoiseshell cats
- Body types and features
- Coordination and musculature
Cat (Felis catus), also called house cat or domestic cat, is a member of the family Felidae in the order Carnivora. It is also the smallest member of that family, which includes lions, tigers, and pumas.
What is the lineage of cats?
Studies suggest that there have been two lineages of cats. One lineage appeared in Asia Minor as early as 6,400 years ago, dispersing northward and westward into Europe. The other lineage appeared in Egypt between 6,400 and 1,000 years ago before spreading throughout the Mediterranean. Both lineages continued to breed with the African wildcat during their respective dispersals.
How big is a full-grown cat?
The average weight of a household cat varies from 2.7 to 4.5 kg (6 to 10 pounds), although among non-pedigreed cats weights up to 12.7 kg (28 pounds) are not uncommon. Average lengths are 71.1 cm (28 inches) for males and 50.8 cm (20 inches) for females.
Why do cat eyes glow in the dark?
After the nonavian dinosaurs became extinct, mammals became the dominant life forms. The first felinelike mammal, Proailurus, evolved about 30 million years ago. It is thought that all true cat species evolved from this small civetlike predator.
Cats that resemble today’s felids first appeared in the early Pliocene Epoch (5.3 to 3.6 million years ago), and they have continued into present times with remarkably few changes. The original design of fang and claw, flexible backbone, muscular strength, and agility allowed felids to survive and adapt to the changes brought by each new era. Adaptations have occurred with changes in prey, but the basic body type has stayed the same.
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It is noteworthy that the ancestors of the other common household pet, the dog, were social animals that lived together in packs in which there was subordination to a leader, and, over time, the dog has readily transferred its allegiance from pack leader to human master. The cat, however, has not yielded as readily to subjugation. Moreover, the bodies, abilities, and temperaments of dogs have changed radically in the more than 30,000 years since they were domesticated, while domestic cats are almost identical to their wild counterparts. Cats show little of the infantilization of facial features seen in dogs and have retained much of their independent nature. In fact, the felid generally thought to be the closest ancestor of the domestic cat is a small wildcat native to the Middle East and Africa (Felis silvestris lybica) that is genetically virtually identical to domestics and readily interbreeds with them, so much so that, in some areas, the wildcat is in danger of ceasing to exist as a pure species. Consequently, cats have retained their independent nature and can thrive as predators in the wild today. This is why feral cats abound and why experts do not consider the cat to be a fully domesticated animal.
The earliest known association between cats and humans likely dates to the origins of agriculture in the Middle East, about 15,000–10,000 years ago. Although the animal was certainly a source of meat and pelts, a partnership of sorts eventually developed between humans and cats, one based on mutual need. When humans gave up living as hunter-gatherers and began relying on agriculture, cats were attracted to the rodents feeding on crops and stored grain. Humans needed their grain protected from rodents, and cats needed a ready food source.
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Over time, cats became more than a form of pest control. A grave containing the remains of a human and a cat dating to about 9,500 years ago was discovered in southern Cyprus. Since Cyprus is an island and cats are not native, it is clear that cats were transported there by boat, and the burial suggests that cats were already considered companions. As domestic cats spread around the world along trade routes, the species became well adapted to life with humans.
Cats held special status in ancient Egypt, where they evolved from useful predators protecting granaries from rodents to revered symbols of divinity. They were cherished pets, seen as divine protectors—in this life and the afterlife—and talismans of good fortune whose bodies may even be inhabited by gods. Cat cults and the temple worship of cats arose. Egyptian royalty adorned their cats in gold, while the lower classes made and wore jewelry depicting cats. Cat images were prominent in Egyptian art, on the walls of tombs, and on artifacts of daily life. Thousands of cat mummies have been discovered in Egypt, along with mouse mummies, presumably to provide food for the cats in the afterlife. All of this attests to the great social and cultural importance afforded cats in ancient Egypt.
Cats have also figured prominently in assorted religions and world literatures. Surprisingly, the cat is mentioned only once in the Bible, in the Letter of Jeremiah. The Norse goddess Freyja was said to have a golden chariot pulled by two white longhaired cats, and the Egyptians revered a cat-headed goddess named Bastet. The Cat-Book Poems, a document dating from the Ayutthayan period (1351–1767) in Ayudhya, Siam (now in Thailand), contains illustrations and descriptions of various cats.
Cats have also been long associated with sorcery and witchcraft, leading to their frequent mistreatment throughout history. Black cats in particular have been tied to witches, and at times they were burned alive along with their supposed witch cohorts. Superstitions involving cats are also prevalent. For example, in many Western countries, a black cat is considered bad luck, though the same cat in Japan is considered an omen of good fortune.
Maneki-neko (“beckoning cat”) figurines, usually portrayed with one raised paw, are especially common in Japan. Usually portrayed as white or calico, maneki-neko is frequently seen in shops and restaurants and is a symbol of prosperity and good luck. (According to legend, maneki-neko was not a black cat; she was a calico.)
The cat is also a familiar figure in nursery rhymes, stories, and popular entertainment. The Greek writer Aesop made frequent mention of cats in his fables. The English legend of Dick Whittington details his journey from rags to riches due to his cat’s mousing prowess. Writers Théophile Gautier and Charles Baudelaire paid the cat homage, and in the 20th century Rudyard Kipling, Colette, and T.S. Eliot wrote about cats. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats (1981) became one of the longest-running shows on Broadway.
As mentioned earlier, the cat family is commonly divided between cats that roar and cats that purr. Concerning the domestic cat, it is perfectly designed for two prime functions—pest control and companionship—and people can select a cat according to which purpose is mainly desired. Because differences between cat breeds can be subtle, especially co...
A cat breed is a group of related felines that share a conformation, meaning a similar physical appearance, or a common geographic region of origin. As cats spread around the world, pockets of cats adjusted to their unique environments and passed on their adaptations to their offspring. For example, such breeds as the Siberian and Norwegian Forest Cat developed long dense coats to protect themselves from the harsh winters in Russia and Norway. Recent genetic studies have helped determine the origins of some of the oldest recognized breeds. In general, the world’s domestic cats (pedigreed and random-bred) come from four areas: Asia, western Europe, East Africa, and the Mediterranean basin.
Breed “standards” are written guidelines describing the attributes that make an ideal example of the breed. These standards are usually drafted by breeders involved in establishing or promoting the breed and are approved by cat associations.
Mutation has generated the colorful palette of coat colors seen today. However, regardless of the color or pattern on the outside, all domestic cats are genetically tabbies like their wildcat ancestors. The tabby pattern may not be expressed because of modifying genes. For example, the dominant white gene masks the expression of other genes, meaning a totally white cat could possess the genes for nearly any pattern or color. These genes may be passed along to subsequent generations. All cats, regardless of their appearance, have genes for one or more of the following tabby patterns:
•Classic (blotched) tabby: wide stripes with swirls, or “bull’s-eyes,” on the sides
•Mackerel tabby: thinner stripes extending down the sides like the bones of a fish
•Ticked tabby (agouti): alternating dark and light bands on each hair strand
•Spotted: dark spots on a lighter background with tabby striping on face, legs, and tail
While many color and pattern combinations are possible, the following are the most important adaptations and factors:
Orange coloration in cats (known as genetic red) is called “sex-linked,” because the gene is located on the X chromosome. Female cats have two X chromosomes and can inherit the gene for orange and the gene for black, one on each X chromosome, and therefore can possess the colorful orange and black pattern known as tortoiseshell. But male cats with ...
Most breeds fall within three general conformation body types: cobby, as seen in the Persian; svelte, as seen in the Siamese; and moderate, as seen in the European Burmese. The cobby type is deep-chested, compact, and broad across the shoulders and rump; the head is large and round. The svelte type is slim and lithe, with long tapering lines, a narrow wedge-shaped head, and a long slender tail. Moderate falls between the two extremes.
The average length of a full-grown domestic cat is 28 inches (71 cm) for males and 20 inches (51 cm) for females. The average weight of a healthy cat varies from 6 to 12 pounds (2.7 to 5.44 kg). However, size and weight can vary considerably, depending upon the sex and breed. For example, the Savannah cat breed can be up to 17 inches in height (43 cm) and 22 inches in length (56 cm), while members of the Munchkin breed are only 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 cm) in height because of their short legs. Maine Coon cats can weigh up to 22 pounds (10 kg).
Cats are highly specialized and adaptable carnivorous mammals. They are digitigrade, meaning that they walk on their toes, which is one of the reasons they can walk so silently. Typically, cats walk or run by moving the front and back legs on each side together. Each paw hits the ground at a different point in the stride, which is known as a four-beat gait. Most of the cat’s weight is centered on the front paws while walking.
Because the vertebrae of the spinal column are held together by muscles rather than by ligaments, the cat can move with great agility. The construction of the shoulder joints permits the cat to turn its foreleg in almost any direction, allowing for quick turns when chasing prey. Cats are so well coordinated that they almost invariably land on their feet if they fall or are dropped.
16 de mar. de 2023 · Los Centros de Atención (CATs) son espacios oficiales de servicio para nuestros usuarios (ejidatarios, comuneros y público en general), con ventanilla única para brindar información, asesoría y atención oportuna en los 62 trámites y servicios que ofrece el Registro Agrario Nacional.
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 ...
- 1 min
Cats es un musical compuesto por Andrew Lloyd Webber a partir de la colección de poemas Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats de T. S. Eliot. Su trama gira en torno a la tribu de los gatos Jélicos durante la noche en que toman "la elección jelical" y deciden cuál de ellos renacerá en una nueva existencia.
- Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats de T. S. Eliot
- Musical
6 de sept. de 2022 · Domestic cats (Felis catus) are small carnivorous members of the family Felidae — the only member of that family that has deigned to join humans in domesticated bliss.
Learn about the different types of cat breeds and their characteristics. Find the perfect pet using our cat breed profile selector.
