The Wild One

Of all the domestic species, the cat is the most independent and least understood. Descendent of the North African wildcat the domestic cat evolved to be a solitary hunter. When cats moved into new human communities, those that were cared for discovered a source of abundant food. Natural selection favored more sociable individuals, slowly transforming the wildcat into the domestic cat that we know and love today.

The cat is one of nature's most successful products. All aspects of its anatomy result from evolutionary logic. Its eyes dilate fully for night vision but shut down to slits in bright sunshine. Touch-sensitive whiskers help the cat to "feel" its way when it hunts in low light, while its delicate hearing lets it hear the tiny, high-pitched sounds of a mouse squeaking. An accurate sense of balance permits it to climb away from danger and regain balance if it accidentally falls. All of these characteristics create an animal that is appealing to our eyes and minds.

During the 20th century, the cat moved from a minor role in human society to a more commanding position as one of the most popular of all animal companions. Quiet, self-cleaning, content to snooze whenever the opportunity arises but capable of astounding episodes of activity when its brain is engaged, it is also aesthetically pleasing. Perhaps the cat's most important characteristic is its independence. By living with us it gives us an opportunity to view the natural world in our own homes.

This breed, usually an indoor dweller, is a relaxed observer. It is cited as the quietest and friendliest of cat breeds, and the one most likely to accept other cats into its home. The first documented ancestors of the Persian were imported from Persia into Italy in 1620. For the next two centuries their descendents were status symbol pets.

Possibly the first deliberate hybridization of two breeds, this version of the Persian was also the first recognized "export" to another breed of the Siamese pointed pattern. The resulting cat has the luxurious, thick, long coat of the Persian, and the exotic color pattern of the Siamese. Eye color is blue but less intense than in the Siamese. While the average Persian is content to watch the world go by, and the Siamese is a lways at the heart of the action, the Himalayan Persian is an outgoing but relaxed companion.

	As it spread eastward, the cat basked in the reflected glory of the tiger, which held symbolic importance in Asia
	In the 14th century, the cats' nocturnal habits condemned it as evil in the eyes of the church.
	The first members of the modern cat family appeared 20 million years ago. They were light, agile, and varied in sizes between the modern puma at 220 lb and the lynx at 64 lb.
	Like mating between the horse and the donkey that produce the sterile mule, the lion and tiger hybrid cannot breed
	A cat's tooth from 9000 BC has been found in a settlement site in Jericho, Israel.
	Without socialization in kittenhood, even the most selectively bred pedigreed cat given the chance and a little practice, will hunt and defend its territory just like a wildcat.
	A kitten's brain is almost fully developed at birth. By seven weeks of age, most areas have matured. Skills are acquired fastest during this development stage.

More articles at Kitty Forum

A falling cat always lands on its feet
When a cat falls a short distance, it often twists itself around to right itself and land on its feet. However, falls from heights can cause severe injury or death.

A window without a screen or with an insecurely fastened screen is a life-threatening hazard. Other accidents happen when an air conditioner is removed from the window for cleaning or repair. Balconies are also a danger. A cat may fall from a balcony rail as it chases an insect.

Securely fastened screens and being alert to other high-rise dangers help prevent serious injuries resulting from falls.

Cats have nine lives
This myth probably started as the result of a cat’s flexible skeleton that allows squeezing and twisting to negotiate narrow and awkward places.

The factors that influence a cat’s longevity are proper diet and care, including regular visits to the veterinarian, and the cat’s genetic makeup.

The average life span for a neutered cat who is housed inside is estimated to be from 12 to 14 years. The maximum life span is said to be 35 years. The roaming cat’s life expectancy is usually less than that of a cat housed indoors. This may relate to a more stressful lifestyle as the results of accidents, fighting and exposure to weather extremes.

Cats can see in the dark
Cats cannot see in total darkness, but they can see much better at night with minimum light than humans can. Their vision in dim light is very sensitive.

Protecting a cat’s vision is one of the reasons a cat should never be fed dog food. Unlike dogs, cats cannot manufacture the amino acid taurine. Lack of taurine in the cat’s diet can cause vision problems. Cats require a higher level of protein in their diet than dogs.

All cats like fish
There is no particular food that all cats like. This is why cat foods are available in a variety of flavors and textures. Once you find nutritionally complete and balanced cat food your cat enjoys, stay with it. Frequent diet changes may create a finicky eater and cause digestive upsets. Be certain the package label states that the product has undergone feeding trials in accordance with the Association of American Feed Control officials (AAFCO) protocol.

Neutered cats become fat and lazy
Although neutered cats may become obese, this condition can be prevented. If the cat begins to gain weight, eliminate food from the table and, if necessary, reduce the amount of cat food offered. Cats can be encouraged to exercise through play. If there are questions about a cat’s body condition, a veterinarian should be consulted.

Spaying and neutering have many benefits. Spaying a female cat before her first heat cycle can help prevent mammary tumors and uterine infections.

A new study has measured just low long cats can remember certain kinds of information - 10 minutes.

The research was designed primarily to compare cats' working memory of their recent movements with their visual memories, and found that cats remember better with their bodies than their eyes when they have encountered an object placed in their path by say, an annoying owner or experimenter.

When a cat steps over a stray toy or shoe left on the floor on the way to its food dish, it has to coordinate the stepping action of its front legs with its hind legs.

"Animals, including humans, unconsciously keep track of the location of objects relative to the body as they move, and this tracking is largely dependent on signals associated with movement of the body," said researcher Keir Pearson of the University of Alberta in Canada.

Though researchers were aware of this association, they wondered exactly how kitty remembers to bring her hind legs up after her front legs have cleared an obstacle.

To test cats' coordination, the researchers looked at how well they could remember having just stepped over a hurdle. The researchers stopped cats after their front legs had cleared an obstacle, but before their hind legs went over.

They then distracted the animals with food and lowered the obstacle to see how the tabbies would respond. The cats remembered having stepped over the hurdle for at least 10 minutes, bringing their hind legs up to clear the object, even though it wasn't there.

To compare this working memory to the cats' visual memory of the obstacle, the researchers repeated the experiment, this time stopping the cats just before they made their first step over the hurdle.

Turns out the cats weren't so good at remembering what they had seen but not yet done: when the obstacle was removed this time, the cats forgot it had even been there in the first place and continued on their way.

"There's not high-stepping at all," Pearson told LiveScience.

"We've found that the long-lasting memory for guiding hind legs over an obstacle requires stepping of the forelegs over the obstacle," Pearson said. "The main surprise was how short lasting the visual memory on its own was—just a few seconds when animals were stopped before their forelegs stepped over the obstacle."

Research with horses and dogs has shown similar results, Pearson said.

Similar memories may play a role in humans' ability to navigate objects in the dark or remember where they parked their car in the morning.

By actually walking from your car into your office, you solidify the memory of what space your car is in and don't spend half an hour looking for it—well, not usually.

• House Cats' Wild Ancestor Found
• Top 10 Animal Senses that Humans Don't Have
• How Do Cats Purr?

• Original Story: Feline Memories Found to be Fleeting