Cat
Cat Facts
| Size | Up to 17.7 inch (45 cm) (shoulder height); up to 48.4 inch (123 cm) (length) |
| Speed | Up to 30 mph (48 km/h) |
| Weight | 5.5-17.6 lb (2.5-8 kg) |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
| Food | Mice, rats, birds |
| Predators | - |
| Habitat | Everywhere in the world |
| Order | Carnivore |
| Family | Cats |
| Scientific name | Felis silvestris catus |
| Characteristics | Cats have been kept as pets since 9,500 years |
Main Characteristics
The domestic cat originates from the wildcat. About 40 cat breeds have developed from this species. You can find the most beautiful cat breeds in our pet section.
Anatomy and Appearance
Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?
Cats use their whiskers to measure distances. This helps them to find out if they can slip through a hole or if they are too big or too heavy. Older cats are no longer that agile and thus grow longer whiskers.
Senses and Abilities
Cats Produce Many Sounds
Cats don't just meow. They can utter hundreds of sounds, dogs only about ten.
Cats Have an "Electric" Sense
Cats can detect vibrations in electric mains.
Cats Can Heal Themselves
If domestic cats, cougars, cheetahs and ocelots purr, they are producing sound waves that are transmitted through the air and can heal bone tissue. Sound waves in the range between 20 to 50 Hertz (measurement unit for frequency) also stimulate bone growth and improve the bone density of human beings.
Behavior
Cats Clean Themselves to Calm Down
If a cat has had a fight or faced a dangerous situation, it uses its paw to clean itself to calm down.
Records
The Heaviest Cat
The heaviest domestic cat was the Australian tomcat Himmy with 46.9 lb (21.3 kg). Guiness World Records decided to stop recording this category to prevent owners from overfeeding their cats.
The Largest Cat
Currently, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, Maine Coon are the largest species of domestic cats with a length of 48.4 inch (123 cm) (including the tail).
Intelligence
Cats Don't Recognize Themselves in the Mirror
If a cat looks in a mirror, it can see a cat there. But this "other" cat is ignored because it doesn't "smell" like a cat.
Cat Breeds
Cat Breeds Without Tail
There are cat species without any tail, such as the Manx cat. Apart from this the only cats without a tail are those that lost it in a fight or by accident.
Fun Facts
Cats Can Scare Away Black Bears
A domestic cat is able to frighten a black bear, so that it even climbs a tree to escape. Luckily, it does not need the help of a fire brigade in order to get back on the ground again.
Do Cats Get Sunburned?
Yes, cats can get sunburned. Learn more about that in our article.
Mail Cats on Duty
At the beginning of the 19th century, cats helped to deliver letters. In 1897, 37 cats served as “postmen” in Belgian villages. Finally this concept was abandoned – not because of the dogs, but because the cats were rather unreliable ...
Cat Coffee
Viverrids produce the world’s most expensive coffee. They eat the coffee beans, which then pass through their bowels and get “refined”. Although this sounds rather disgusting, 2.2 lb (1 kg) of this coffee is sold at about 774 dollar (700 euro). Only about 507 lb (230 kg) are produced per year.
The Cat Is Related To:
- European Wildcat
Animals in the Same Biome:
- Find Out More:
- Cat Breeds (Pet Section)
