# Domestic Cat (*Felis catus*) Cats are curious, playful animals that often enjoy both cuddles and quiet naps. They can live indoors or outdoors and are known for their graceful movements. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 32 - **Habitat:** Homes, gardens, and urban or rural areas. ![Domestic Cat](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426081/objects/4360.jpg) ## Appearance The Domestic Cat has a sleek, agile body covered in soft fur, often displaying diverse patterns like tabby stripes, calico patches, or solid colors. Its expressive face features large, often almond-shaped eyes and twitching, sensitive ears that can rotate independently. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Felidae - **Genus:** Felis ## Interesting facts - A cat's nose print is unique, just like a human's fingerprint! - A group of cats is called a 'clowder,' but a group of kittens is a 'kindle.' - Cats can make over 100 different sounds, while dogs only make about ten! - Cats sleep around 70% of their lives, meaning they are mostly dreaming! ## Special abilities - **Silent Stalker:** Domestic Cat has soft paw pads and retractable claws that help them walk almost silently, perfect for ambushing prey. - **Night Vision Goggles:** Domestic Cat can see in very dim light because of special reflective cells behind their eyes that help them hunt after dusk. - **Balancing Tail:** Domestic Cat has a long, muscular tail that helps them keep perfect balance when climbing, jumping, or navigating narrow spots. - **Super Hearing:** Domestic Cat can hear sounds at much higher frequencies than humans, helping them detect tiny prey like mice. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 46-51 cm - **Weight:** 3-5 kg - **Lifespan:** 12-18 years - **Speed:** 48 km/h - **Litter Size:** 3-5 - **Gestation:** 63-67 days ## Diet & Feeding Domestic Cats are skilled hunters, primarily eating small animals like rodents and birds. - **Primary Foods:** Mice, Rats, Small birds, Insects, Lizards, Pet food - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [House Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-mouse) (*Mus musculus*) — Primary prey item in many environments. - **Hunts:** [Brown Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-rat) (*Rattus norvegicus*) — Common prey, especially in urban/rural settings. - **Hunts:** [House Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — Common bird prey, especially for outdoor cats. - **Parasitizes:** Cat Flea (*Ctenocephalides felis*) — Feeds on cat blood, causing irritation. - **Symbiotic with:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Humans provide food and shelter; cats offer companionship. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [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. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [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. - [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:** 3/5 · Moderate Be gentle and let the cat come to you — some cats don’t like sudden touches. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Domestic 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 Domestic Cat? 46-51 cm ### How much does Domestic Cat weigh? 3-5 kg ### How long does Domestic Cat live? 12-18 years ### How fast can Domestic Cat move? 48 km/h ### What does Domestic Cat eat? Domestic Cats are skilled hunters, primarily eating small animals like rodents and birds. ### Where is Domestic Cat usually found? Homes, gardens, and urban or rural areas. ### How does Domestic Cat hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Canal Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/canal-park) — District of Columbia, US · Park - [Fairlie-Poplar](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairlie-poplar) — Georgia, US · Neighborhood - [Georgia Institute of Technology Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/georgia-institute-of-technology-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Inman Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/inman-park) — Georgia, US · Neighborhood - [Kahanu Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kahanu-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/domestic-cat) ## Watch - [Play video: Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/videos/domestic-cat) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=0Cv8fK_xB4w) ## 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: [Domestic Cat: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat)