# American Shorthair (*Felis catus*) An American Shorthair is a sturdy, adaptable cat with a short coat. It is friendly and easy to care for. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Homes and farms; adaptable indoors or outdoors - **Also known as:** American Domestic Shorthair, Shorthair Cat ![American Shorthair](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426088/objects/4449.jpg) ## Appearance The American Shorthair has a sturdy, muscular build with a broad chest and a round head featuring full cheeks and expressive eyes. Its dense, short coat comes in over 80 colors and patterns, including classic tabby markings, distinguishing it from sleeker shorthair breeds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Felidae - **Genus:** Felis ## Interesting facts - An American Shorthair's purr can be at a frequency thought to promote healing in bones and muscles! - Each American Shorthair has a unique nose print, just like a human's fingerprint! - These cats once sailed on the Mayflower, helping to protect precious food supplies from rodents! - They were originally prized for their hunting skills on farms and in stores, not just as pets. ## Special abilities - **Silent Stalker:** American Shorthair can move almost without sound because of their padded paws, which helps them stalk small prey unnoticed. - **Agile Climber:** American Shorthair has strong, athletic legs that help them leap and climb with impressive agility to reach high spots. - **Adaptable Survivor:** American Shorthair has a robust constitution that helps them thrive in diverse environments, from ships to homes. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 30-45 cm - **Weight:** 3.5-7 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 48 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-8 - **Gestation:** 63-65 days ## Diet & Feeding These domestic carnivores enjoy a variety of foods, from commercial cat food to small hunted prey. - **Primary Foods:** Commercial cat food, Mice, Birds, Insects, Rats - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [House Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-mouse) (*Mus musculus*) — Keeps rodent populations in check. - **Hunts:** [House Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — Common prey for outdoor cats. - **Hunts:** [Brown Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-rat) (*Rattus norvegicus*) — Historical role in pest control. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Handle kindly and give them space when eating. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American Shorthair? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is American Shorthair? 30-45 cm ### How much does American Shorthair weigh? 3.5-7 kg ### How long does American Shorthair live? 15-20 years ### How fast can American Shorthair move? 48 km/h ### What does American Shorthair eat? These domestic carnivores enjoy a variety of foods, from commercial cat food to small hunted prey. ### Where is American Shorthair usually found? Homes and farms; adaptable indoors or outdoors ### How does American Shorthair hunt? Ambush ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [American Shorthair: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-shorthair)