The domestic cat (or house cat) is a small carnivorous mammal that is a skilled predator and intelligent animal, known to hunt over one thousand species for food, and capable of being trained (and learning by itself) to manipulate simple mechanisms. It has lived in close association with humans for 3,500 to 8,000 years, figuring prominently in the mythology and legends of several cultures.
Cats come in dozens of breeds and a variety of colors. Due to mutations, some are hairless and some are tailless. They use more than one hundred vocalizations and types of body language for communication, including calling, purring, hissing, growling, chirping, clicking, and grunting. Like horses and other domesticated animals, cats can become feral, living effectively in the wild, where, contrary to the perception that they are solitary animals, they will often form small colonies.
Legends and myths about the cat exist in many cultures, including those of the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Vikings. The medieval King of Wales, Hywel Dda (the Good) actually passed legislation making it illegal to kill or harm a cat.
The cat's closest pre-domesticated ancestor is believed to be the African wild cat, Felis silvestris lybica.
Information source: Wikipedia
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