General Description
Long tail (approximately 30 cm long) and prominent whiskers around a short muzzle. Sharp retractable claws. Fur colour can be solid, striped (known as 'tabby') and mottled; colours include black, brown, red-brown, orange (ginger), white or grey. Vocalisations include purring, growling, hissing and meowing. Body up to 74 cm long.
Biology
Cats are solitary hunters that feed on small mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates. They are skilled climbers and are commonly active at night, aided by good hearing, night vision and sense of smell. They are often kept as domesticated pets but also occur wild in Australia as feral animals.
Distribution
Worldwide. Australia.
Habitat
Most areas, including forest, desert and urban areas.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Short fur, long tail and prominent whiskers; fur can be solid, striped ('tabby') or mottled.
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Colours
Brown, Red, Black, White
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Habitats
Wetland, Urban, DryForest, WetForest, Woodland, Mallee, Grassland
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Where To Look
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When Active
Nocturnal, Diurnal
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Diet
Carnivore
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Diet Categories
Mammals, Reptiles, Insects, Invertebrates
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Hazards
Usually harmless, but can scratch and bite. Cats are also a major source of Toxoplasmosis infection in humans.
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Endemicity
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Conservation Statuses
CITES: Not listed, FFG Threatened List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Taxon Name
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Common Name
Cat
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Other Names
House Cat , Domestic Cat
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Kingdom
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Class
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Order
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Suborder
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Family
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Subfamily
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Genus
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Species Name
catus
