The cat (Felis catus), also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felines and felids, is a small furry domesticated carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests. Cats have been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years, and are currently the most popular pet in the world. Owing to their close association with humans, cats are now found almost everywhere on Earth. Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with strong, flexible bodies, quick reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. As nocturnal predators, cats use their acute hearing and ability to see in near darkness to locate prey.
Ten Facts about Cat
- There are more than 500 million domestic cats in the world, with 33 different breeds.
- Cats can jump between 5 & 7 times as high as their tail.
- Cats not only walk on their toes but they have 5 toes on their front paws and 4 toes on the their back paws.
- Typically weighing between 4 kilograms (8 lb 13 oz) and 5 kilograms (11 lb 0 oz).
- Cats average about 23-25 centimeters (9-10 in) in height and 46 centimeters (18.1 in) in head/body length (males being larger than females), with tails averaging 30 centimeters (11.8 in) in length.
- A cat's heart beats twice as fast as a human heart, at 110 to 140 beats per minute.
- The average age for an indoor cat is 15 years, while the average age for an outdoor cat is only 3 to 5 years.
- Cats are the sleepiest of all mammals. They spend 16 hours of each day sleeping. With that in mind, a seven year old cat has only been awake for two years of its life!
- Cats have highly specialized teeth and a digestive system suitable for eating meat.
- Cats spend 30% of their waking hours grooming themselves.
