Cat (Felis catus) in a Wikimedia Commons reference photograph.

Cat (Felis catus) — representative reference photograph.

Creator: Von.grzanka via Wikimedia Commons.

Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0

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Species record

Cat

Felis catus

Explore the Cat (Felis catus) species record in The Ark Is Earth, including classification, habitat, distribution, conservation information, and sources.

Summary

The Cat is a domesticated small carnivorous mammal managed in homes, farms, and urban areas around the world. It retains keen senses, retractile claws, and stalking behavior that make it an effective hunter. Cats are kept chiefly as companions and sometimes for rodent control, and multiple breeds, varieties, strains, or managed lines exist; free-ranging cats can also affect native wildlife.

Classification in this archive

  1. Kingdom: Animals
  2. Phylum: Chordates
  3. Subphylum: Vertebrates
  4. Class: Mammals
  5. Order: Carnivorans
  6. Family: Cats
  7. Genus: Felis

Habitat and distribution

Selected documented locations — not a complete species range.

Habitat
homes, farms, urban areas
Selected regions
Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America
Selected countries
Egypt, United Kingdom, United States, Japan

Conservation status

The Ark records: Domesticated.

Did you know?

  • Cats use whiskers to judge whether they can fit through a space.
  • A cat purr can occur when it is relaxed or communicating.

More images

Cat (Felis catus) in a Wikimedia Commons reference photograph.

Cat (Felis catus) — additional reference view.

Creator: Alvesgaspar via Wikimedia Commons.

Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0

View image source

Sources and attribution