Cats are small, tame, furry mammals that are often kept as pets and farm animals. There are over 30 different breeds of tame cats, with different body shapes and sizes, coloring, fur length, eye color, tail length, voice, and temperament. House cats do not enjoy swimming. Cats were domesticated over 7,000 years ago.
Diet: Even tame cats are fast, effective hunters. They arecarnivores (meat-eaters). Cats will kill and eat small mammals, birds, fish, frogs, lizards, and snakes. On farms, cats help reduce the vermin population (rats, mice, and other small, destructive animals). Cats use their acute sight and hearing to catch prey. They swallow large bites of meat without chewing it. Cats are primarily nocturnal (most active at night). They have very good night vision.
Anatomy: Cats are graceful animals that have a rounded face. They have a sand-papery tongue and needle-like teeth. Their skeleton is extremely flexible.
Cats are subtle solitary, independent, regal creatures that express affection on their own terms. It’s exactly these characteristics that draw people so deeply to them. When a cat loves you, it feels like the queen has just given you her smile of approval! When a cat crawls up on your lap and rubs your face with its cheek, it’s pretty difficult not to smile. Soft to the touch and immensely fun to play with, but fully capable of keeping themselves entertained, cats work well with families and kids that lead rather busy lives and want to snuggle up to an affectionate animal without having to spend hours and hours each day on exercise, cleaning and maintenance.
