Domestic Cat

Size: Smaller than a bread box when dry. Unable to obtain data when wet.

Cat; felis catus

Habitat: Sofas and dark closets. Sometimes found on stove tops and beside heating vents.

Primary prey: Friskies cat food, of course.

Conservation status: Gradually replacing the dog as America's favorite pet (in accordance with the cat's master plan).

Principal threat: Hairballs.

Distribution: Domestic cats are found wherever there are loving caretakers (i.e., suckers).

Notable features: Occasionally tear madly about for no reason. Emit pleasant rumbling sounds when stroked.

What are Cats???

Cats belong to the family Felidae within the order Carnivora, a diverse group of meat-eating mammals. Like all mammals (ourselves included), cats have hair and nurse their live-born young.

All cats are hunters. They have large, forward-facing eyes, excellent hearing, sharp teeth, and strong limbs armed with sharp claws for catching prey. Most often their tails are long and their fur is spotted or striped. All cats move silently, with unusual grace.

Wild species of cats are native to all continents except Australia and Antarctica and play an important role as predators in the ecosystem. Sadly, most of the thirty-six cat species are in danger of becoming extinct within the next twenty-five years.