There are about 500 muscles attached to a cat’s flexible skeleton. They allow the cat to use various gaits (patterns of locomotion) and to make an amazing range of graceful movements, suitable for an athletic hunter of small rodents and birds. The cat’s muscles are adapted not only for the short bursts of speed necessary …
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The cat’s skeleton is a lightweight but robust frame designed for speed and agility. The skull has characteristics of a hunting animal, and the limbs are adapted for pouncing and bursts of speed. The highly flexible spine and maneuverable limbs allow a cat to reach most parts of its body when grooming with its paws, …
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Like humans, cats rely on the five senses of vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch to tell them about the surrounding world. These senses gather information and send it, via nerves, to the brain for interpretation. Cat senses evolved over millions of years to suit their pre-domesticated way of life: that of a nocturnal hunter …
The heart and the blood vessels form the cardiovascular system. The cat’s heart is a four-chambered pump, about the size of a walnut, made of special non-tiring cardiac muscle. It beats between 140 and 220 times each minute, depending on the level of activity, and its resting heartbeat of 140–180 beats per minute is about …
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The heart and lungs make sure that oxygen is delivered—via airways and blood—to every cell in the body. Oxygen, which makes up about 21 percent of the air, reacts with nutrient molecules, such as the sugar glucose, in body cells to release energy. This energy is then used to power biochemical activities in cells. As …
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The skin is an organ, like the heart or liver. In fact, it is the largest organ of a cat’s body, enveloping and protecting the animal from environmental threats and diseases. The soft fur coat, which grows from the skin, is composed of different types of hair and also plays a protective role. The ancestors …
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The nervous system controls and regulates a cat’s body. It is made up of nerve cells (neurons) and their fibers, which transmit impulses, or electrical signals, between parts of the body. The brain analyses information from stimuli gathered by the sensory organs, such as the cat’s eyes and ears, and from inside a cat’s body, …
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The needs of cats vary depending on the breed. For example, slender breeds, such as the Siamese, are usually very active and love being part of a family; stockier breeds, such as the British Shorthair, tend to be more laid-back and prefer a quieter life. One way to find a pedigree is to contact a …