DOMESTIC CAT
				Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Species: Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Felidae Felis catus

A most popular pet, our feline friend the domestic cat is a small member of the "cat" family, typically 30 inches long (76 cm), including a 9 inch tail (23 cm), and weighing up to as much as 20-25 lbs. (9.5 kg). Usually, housecats are never entirely domesticated. The house cat usually "domesticates the owner." Finicky by nature, the domestic cat has particular taste, acute sensitive hearing, and if hunting is a necessity, they will usually hunt alone.

Unlike wild cats, domestic cats usually hold their tails in a horizontal to nearly upright position, unless challenged, whereas they will push their tails down to their hind legs. Domestic cat claws are very sharp and completely retractable. They condition them by scratching on trees, posts, furniture and carpet. As expert climbers, they can easily escape dogs by scaling walls and climbing trees, and their nimble perfect balance enables them to maneuver into tight spots easily and quickly. Long whiskers sprouting from their muzzle are used as a means of measure to feel their way in the dark and in tight spaces. As the cat increases its body size, the whiskers will also grow to the width of its body.

Cats will produce a variety of sounds depending upon their moods and/or needs. They will display anything from a screaming yowl or "meow", (especially when the males are looking for a mate) to a loving warm purr when they are experiencing pleasure. If the cat is a pet, and has a close relationship with its owner, various domestic breeds such as the Siamese, will actually form words in an attempt to communicate.

There are close to 50 different species of domestic cats, many of which are crossbreeds of at least two or more lines. They come in all shapes, colors, patterns, sizes, and hair length. Persians are one of the more popular long-haired cats. The Burmese is a popular short-haired. Some cats do not have a tail, such as the Manx cat.

It is thought that the European wild cat and the African bush cat created a mixture of domestic cat breeds, the bush cat was found as tame in ancient Egypt over 3,000 years ago.