Difference between revisions of "Cat"
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| − | == Domestic Cat or House Cat (Felis silvestris catus) == | + | == Domestic Cat or House Cat (''Felis silvestris catus'')== |
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| + | The '''cat''' (''Felis catus''), also known as the '''domestic cat''' or '''house cat''' to distinguish it from other [[Felidae|felines]], is a small [[carnivore|carnivorous]] [[species]] of [[crepuscular]] [[mammal]] that is valued by humans for its companionship and its ability to hunt [[vermin]], snakes and scorpions. It has been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years.<ref name="9500 years">{{cite web | title = Oldest Known Pet Cat? 9500-Year-Old Burial Found on Cyprus | url = http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/04/0408_040408_oldestpetcat.html | accessdate = 2007-03-06 |date=2004-04-08 | publisher = National Geographic News}}</ref> | ||
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| + | A skilled [[predator]], the cat is known to hunt over 1,000 species for food. It can be trained to obey simple commands. Individual cats have also been known to learn on their own to manipulate simple mechanisms, such as doorknobs. With 69 million of them present in American homes,<ref>[http://www.animalsheltering.org/resource_library/magazine_articles/jan_feb_2003/cat_is_top_dog.html AVMA Survey Confirms Cat's Status as Top Dog<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> cats are the most or the second most popular pets in that country. | ||
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| + | Until recently the cat was commonly believed to have been domesticated in [[ancient Egypt]], where it was a [[cult]] animal.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news | ||
| + | |url = http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/29/science/29cat.html?em&ex=1183348800&en=46920e3fe2f7c649&ei=5087%0A | ||
| + | |title = Study Traces Cat's Ancestry to Middle East | ||
| + | |last = Wade | ||
| + | |first = Nicholas | ||
| + | |date=2007-06-29 | ||
| + | |work = ''[[The New York Times]]'' | ||
| + | |accessdate=2008-04-02}}</ref> However a 2007 study found that all house cats are probably descended from a group of as few as five [[self-domesticating]] [[African Wildcat]]s ''Felis silvestris lybica'' circa 8000 BC, in the [[Near East]].<ref name="SciencemagNEO" /> | ||
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| + | ==Specimens in the Museum== | ||
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*[[Dehyrated Cats]] (a and b) | *[[Dehyrated Cats]] (a and b) | ||
*[[Flocked Cat/s]] | *[[Flocked Cat/s]] | ||
*[[Cat, Cast Iron]] | *[[Cat, Cast Iron]] | ||
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*[[Lynx]] | *[[Lynx]] | ||
*[[Wax Figurine, Feline]] | *[[Wax Figurine, Feline]] | ||
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| + | See also: [[Cats Toys]] | ||
Revision as of 17:51, 8 August 2008
Domestic Cat or House Cat (Felis silvestris catus)
The cat (Felis catus), also known as the domestic cat or house cat to distinguish it from other felines, is a small carnivorous species of crepuscular mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and its ability to hunt vermin, snakes and scorpions. It has been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years.<ref name="9500 years">Template:Cite web</ref>
A skilled predator, the cat is known to hunt over 1,000 species for food. It can be trained to obey simple commands. Individual cats have also been known to learn on their own to manipulate simple mechanisms, such as doorknobs. With 69 million of them present in American homes,<ref>AVMA Survey Confirms Cat's Status as Top Dog</ref> cats are the most or the second most popular pets in that country.
Until recently the cat was commonly believed to have been domesticated in ancient Egypt, where it was a cult animal.<ref name="NYT">Template:Cite news</ref> However a 2007 study found that all house cats are probably descended from a group of as few as five self-domesticating African Wildcats Felis silvestris lybica circa 8000 BC, in the Near East.<ref name="SciencemagNEO" />
Specimens in the Museum
See also: Cats Toys
