# Cat (*Felis catus*) Cats are soft and playful animals that love to nap in the sun. They have sharp claws for climbing and hunting. Cats can purr when they are happy and make great companions. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 65 - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Feline, House Cat ![Cat](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426071/objects/5969.jpg) ## Appearance The Cat is a small, agile mammal with soft fur that comes in a vast array of colors and patterns, from solid black to striped tabby or spotted. It has large, expressive eyes and often perked ears, with a long, balancing tail. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Felidae - **Genus:** Felis ## Interesting facts - Cats purr not just when happy, but also when hurt or stressed to self-soothe. - Cats sleep for about 70% of their lives, saving energy for their active hours. - Each cat's nose print is unique, just like human fingerprints are! - The oldest cat on record lived to be an amazing 38 years old! ## Special abilities - **Night Vision Pro:** Cat can see well in dim light because of a special reflective layer behind its eyes that helps them hunt at night. - **Agile Climber:** Cat has super flexible spines and strong claws that helps them climb trees and fences with ease. - **Silent Stalker:** Cat can walk almost silently because of padded paws and retractable claws that help them sneak up on prey. - **Super Hearing:** Cat can rotate its ears 180 degrees to pinpoint faint sounds, helping them locate tiny prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 46-51 cm - **Weight:** 2.5-7 kg - **Lifespan:** 12-18 years - **Speed:** 48 km/h - **Litter Size:** 3-5 - **Gestation:** 63-65 days ## Diet & Feeding Cats love to hunt and eat small animals like mice and birds, using their sharp teeth and claws. - **Primary Foods:** mice, small birds, insects, commercial cat food - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [House Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-mouse) (*Mus musculus*) — Cats are natural predators of mice. - **Hunts:** [House Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — Feral and outdoor cats often prey on small birds. - **Parasitizes:** Cat Flea (*Ctenocephalides felis*) — Fleas feed on a cat's blood, causing irritation. - **Depends on:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Domestic cats rely on humans for food, shelter, and care. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Whiskered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/whiskered): Possessing prominent sensory hairs or vibrissae, often around the snout. - [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. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [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. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [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. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Approach cats calmly and let them come to you. Be gentle and avoid touching their belly. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cat? 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 Cat? 46-51 cm ### How much does Cat weigh? 2.5-7 kg ### How long does Cat live? 12-18 years ### How fast can Cat move? 48 km/h ### What does Cat eat? Cats love to hunt and eat small animals like mice and birds, using their sharp teeth and claws. ### Where is Cat usually found? Urban areas ### How does Cat hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albemarle-and-chesapeake-canal) — Virginia, US · Historic Site - [Anderson Japanese Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/anderson-japanese-gardens) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Belltown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belltown-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Benbow Lake State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/benbow-lake-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Cedarmere-Clayton Estates](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedarmere-clayton-estates) — New York, US · Historic District [View all places to see Cat](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cat) ## 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: [Cat: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cat)