Domestic cat
The domestic cat, Felis catus, is a small carnivorous mammal domesticated from wildcats and kept widely as a companion and hunter of small animals.
Cat predation: The capture and killing of prey by cats, using stalking, pouncing, and sharp claws and teeth. Domestic cats retain a predatory sequence that shapes play and their impact on wildlife.
Felis silvestris lybica: The African and Near Eastern wildcat subspecies widely identified as the principal ancestor of domestic cats. Genetic and archaeological evidence links domestic cats chiefly to this wildcat population.
Felidae: The family of carnivorous mammals that includes cats, lions, tigers, and other felines. The domestic cat is a small member of this broader evolutionary family.
Cat–human relationship: The varied social and practical relationships between people and domestic cats. Companionship is now a major reason cats live in human households.
Cat predation on wildlife: The killing of wild animals by domestic cats, including pets and free-ranging populations. Predation links cats to declines in some vulnerable wildlife populations.
Cat communication: The signals cats use to convey information through vocalizations, scent, posture, and touch. Meows, purrs, and body signals help explain how cats communicate with people and other cats.
Cat domestication: The gradual process by which wildcats became adapted to life alongside humans. It explains the transition from wild ancestors to the domestic species.
Carnivora: The mammalian order containing cats, dogs, bears, seals, and their relatives. Domestic cats belong to this order of mostly meat-eating mammals.
Working cat: A domestic cat kept primarily to control rodents in places such as farms, warehouses, or ships. Rodent hunting remains a practical role alongside companionship.
Invasive species: A non-native organism whose establishment and spread cause ecological or economic harm. Introduced cats have become invasive predators on islands and other sensitive ecosystems.