DOMESTIC CAT
Cat experts are continually creating
new varieties by selective breeding. The Bombay cat
(left) is a new breed that was developed in the
United States in the 1970s. It was bred by mating an
American Burmese with a black American Shorthair.
Although the Bombay has very short, dense hair, it
still shows all the main features of a typical cat.101
Cat suddenly falls.EYES
In dim conditions, a cat’s pupils open
wide to let the maximum amount of
light into the eye. The tapetum lucidum,
a mirrorlike layer inside the eye, reflects
the light at the back of the eye. This
is why a cat’s eyes shine in the dark.
Legs
stretch out
for landing.Long flexible tail
helps cat balance
on narrow ledges.Pupils are
narrow in
bright light
to let in
less light.Pupils open
wide in dim
light to let in
more light.WHEN YOU WATCH a cat stalking a bird, it is easy to see how cats
are related to lions and tigers. All cats are excellent hunters. They have
acute senses and sharp teeth and claws, and they are strong and agile.
Cats do most of their hunting at night and have evolved excellent
eyesight in dim conditions. Even most domestic cats, or house cats,
could survive in the wild by catching mice, small birds, insects,
and other creatures.
The ancestor of our domestic cats is Felis sylvestris—or the wild
cat—which existed in Europe 250,000 years ago. The African
wild cat became distinct about 20,000 years ago. This small
cat spread through Africa, Asia, and Europe, until it was
gradually tamed by people in Africa 8,000 years ago, where it
helped protect food stores from rats and mice. Since then,
domestic cats have been bred by people into many different
types, from striped tabbies and Persian longhairs to the tailless
Manx cat. Three thousand years ago, domestic cats were
a common sight in Egypt, where they were held in great
esteem. Today there are more than 600 million domestic
cats around the world.
Cats 101-
For thousands of years, black cats have
been associated with magic and
witchcraft. They are still believed by some
people to bring both good and bad luck.
Large ears
can pick up
faint sound.CATS
Body follows head around.Claws retracted
in sheaths to
keep them sharpHead twists
around first.Touch-sensitive
whiskers for
feeling in
the darkAGILITY
Cats have
exceptional
balance and often
climb trees, walls, and
fences when they are
hunting or exploring. Cats also
have extremely quick reflexes in case
of a fall. As a cat drops, the balance
organs inside its ears tell it
immediately which way is up.
The cat rights its head,
followed by its body, then
lands safely on all four paws.WILD CATS
The wild cat looks similar to the domestic
tabby cat. This Scottish wild cat has a
heavier build and a larger head.