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Felis catus
The domestic cat (Felis catus or Felis silvestris catus) is a small, usually furry, domesticated, and carnivorous mammal. It is often called the housecat when kept as an indoor pet, or simply the cat when there is no need to distinguish it from other felids and felines. Cats are valued by humans for companionship and their ability to hunt vermin and household pests. Since cats were cult animals in ancient Egypt, they were commonly believed to have been domesticated there, but there may have been instances of domestication as early as the Neolithic. A genetic study in 2007 revealed that domestic cats are descended from African wildcats (Felis silvestris lybica) c. 8000 BC, in the Middle East. According to Scientific American, cats are the most popular pet in the world, and are now found almost every place where people live.
Cats are a cosmopolitan species and are found across much of the world. Feral cats can live in forests, grasslands, tundra, coastal areas, agricultural land, scrublands, urban areas and wetlands. In the case of my domesticated cats, it's the family home. Anywhere that's comfortable and has a ready supply of food. Domestic cats rule the roost!
I'm a 'cat' man, of that there's no doubt, and I've posted these images here simply because the domestic cat is probably one of the most personally 'valued' species of animal on the planet. My cats are definitely valued and bring so much joy (and angst) to my life. They are my 'fur' family. I love to watch them doing all the things that cats do. They are inquisitive and instinctive animals that live in the moment and are acutely aware of their environment. They sleep well when they're comfortable and feel safe, and they love to be pampered, but they're always on the lookout for danger... and they know danger when they see it. My cats have encountered a large python and an eagle, and without ever having seen one of these animals before knew instinctively they were predatory and dangerous. The same applies to dogs, and they automatically switch into 'survival' mode when they sense a threat. My belief is that cats are wild animals who choose to co-habitate with us, but they will always keep two of their four paws in the wild domain. I adore their physique and perfect form, their beauty, their strong and defiant will, their hunting prowess, and their loud purrrrr. They do nothing in half-measures and I find them to be the very best of companions and a fine meditation, and can watch them for hours. They keep me well-connected to the animal kingdom and have always reflected the beauty of nature back to me by simply displaying their nature. Not to have cats in my life would leave my home and heart empty and lacking. My life would not be the same without them and this is what the animal kingdom has blessed me with. PS: I'm sure dog people feel the same, as would anyone who lives with and loves the pet of their choice. PPS: As I type this, one of my younger cats has just brought a large skink into the house. She loves dropping them at my feet and I'm sure she laughs at me when I chase them around the house!
7 Comments
I love the quote, Lauren. It's so true! I've also seen some disturbing scenes of animal neglect on my travels. It's a hard and very cruel world at times, and animals always seem to bear the brunt of it.
When we were in Egypt, we almost never saw any dogs. Cats had taken over their niche and were everywhere both day and night. They sat on the chairs in restaurants and were lined up sitting in front of out door food stands in the streets like dogs do everywhere else. There were hundreds of them in Alexandria all along the avenue bordering the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, most of those were not in very good shape.
I agree Ava, delightfully poetic and justly loving. Cats are the most perfect physical specimens of the animal world. They also think they can communicate with us by telepathy and sit and intensely stare at us trying to make us do whatever it is they want at that moment. We have a funny story about cats and dogs: A dog says "people love me, pamper me, feed me….they must be Gods!" A cat says "people love me, pamper me, feed me….I must be a God!" :)
Delightful notes section!
Sorry about the other comment I sort of messed it up but I do love your cats very much
I love your cat is very much is a very adorable little cat
Thanks very much, Stefania. truth be known, I'm the lucky one... although I'd never tell them that. Love your avatar too. Your babies are very sweet :-)