Cat SVMS 72

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

Genus: Felis

Species: F. catus

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felines with strong, flexible bodies, quick reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. As nocturnal predators, cats use their acute hearing and ability to see in near darkness to locate prey. Not only can cats hear sounds too faint for human ears, they can also hear sounds higher in frequency than humans can perceive. This is because the usual prey of cats (particularly rodents such as mice) make high frequency noises, so the hearing of the cat has evolved to pinpoint these faint high-pitched sounds.

Cats feed on small prey, primarily birds and rodents. Feral cats and house cats that are free-fed tend to consume many small meals in a single day, although the frequency and size of meals varies between individuals. Domestic cats select food based on its temperature, smell and texture, strongly disliking chilled foods and responding most strongly to moist foods rich in amino acids, which are similar to meat.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat

The cat (Felis catus), also known as the domestic cat or housecat is a small, furry, domesticated, canivorous mammal. Cats have been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years, and are currently the most popular pet in the world. Cats are now found almost everywhere in the world.

Classification

Skeleton of a cat (SPVM S72)

1

234

5

6

78

910

11

121314

151617

18

1920

21

2223

24

25 26

27

28 29

3031

1. Mandible, 2. Nasal bone, 3. Canine tooth 4. Zygomatic bone, 5. Frontal bone, 6. Temporal bone, 7. parietal bone, 8 Occipital bone, 9. Atlas, 10. Axis, 11. Cervical vertebrae, 12. Thoracic vertebra, 13. Scapula, 14. Thoracic vertebrae, 15. Sternum, 16. Ribs, 17. Costal cartilages, 18. Lumber vertebrae, 19. Sacrum, 20. Wing of the llium, 21. Head of the femur, 22. Fibula, 23. Tibia, 24. Tarsus 25. Metatarsal bones, 26. Phalanges, 27. Humerus, 28. Ulna, 29. Radius, 30. Carpus, 31. Metacarpal bones, 32. Phalanges.

Patella

32

Femur

Caudal view of a cat skeleton1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.8.

1. Sacrum

2. Lumbar vertebrae

3. Wing of the ilium

4. Femur

5. Fibula

6. Tibia

7. Tarsus

8. Metatarsal bones

9. Phalanges

9.

Dorsal view of a cat skeleton1.

2. 4.3. 5.7.

8.

6.

10.9.11.12.

13.

14.15.

1. Frontal bone of the skull2. Zygomatic bone3. Sagital crest4. Atlas5. Axis6. Scapula7. Lumber vertebrae8. Femur9. Tibia and Fibia10. Patella

16.17.19. 18.

11. Tarsus12. Metatarsal bones13. Phalanges14. Thoracic verebrae15. Humerus16. Ulna17. Radius18. Carpus19. Metacarpal bones20. Phalanges