CATS

Taxonomic classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Felis Species: Felis catus

External Anatomy
The body of the cat is divided into the head, neck, trunk, and tail.
Tail Trunk Head

Neck

Body Form

Body Symmetry

General External Features

Outer Covering
* Body is covered with a closely set hair known as fur, which is composed of keratin * primary function of the mammalian hair is insulation * Cats fluff their hair when the arrector pilli muscle contracts thus trapping a layer of air next to the skin which the body then warms * Cats fluff their hair when threatened

Head
* Nose and mouth are surrounded by specialized hair known as vibrissae or whiskers - rich in nerve supply - for sensory functions, allowing the cat to move through darkness

Head
* Large in size due to highly developed brain * Can be divided into anterior facial region (in front of eyes) and posterior cranial region * Mouth has well-developed lips; upper lip is cleft in the centre

Nose
* External nares are large and elongated * External nares are separated by a groove, the philtrum which forms the cleft in the upper lip. * Has 200 million scent receptors; 20x more sensitive than the human nose

Eyes
* Eyes are set in front of skull to allow them to judge distance (useful for hunting) * Have upper and lower eyelid and a nictitating membrane which moves from the center outwards * Pupils are elliptical that become thin slits in bright light can dilate faster and larger than a humans pupil can

Eyes
Tapetum a special reflective membrane at the back of their eyes which improves their ability to see in the dark

Ears
* External ear consist of a long and flexible external fold, the pinna and the external auditory meatus * Hearing is much more sensitive than humans or dogs * Can rotate ears 180 degrees independently to pinpoint sources of noise

Trunk
* Trunk is divisible into anterior chest or thorax (supported by ribs) & posterior abdomen * Bears two pairs of limbs, having the same parts as in other vertebrates * Limbs terminate in clawed digits (which are retractable)

Trunk
On ventral surface of trunk occur 4-5 pairs of teats or nipples in female specimens, openings of milk glands

Walking
* Cats walk on their digits, with the hand and foot elevated digitigrade * Tori epidermal thickenings/pads under each foot

Tail
* Well developed (almost 10% of bones are located here) * Assists in maintaining balance

Urogenital
* Anus located just ventral to cats tail * Scrotum conspicuous pair of rounded bulges; anterior to it is the prepuce/foreskin * Penis withdrawn (almost invisible) into prepuce

Male vs Female

Random Trivia :)
* Cat urine glows under a black light * Cats lose almost as much fluid while grooming as they do through urination * Cats have AB blood groups just like people * Cats brain is more similar to a mans than a dogs

End!

Sources

Hyman, L.H. Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy 54-56 (University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1922) http:// www. purina.co.uk/Home/All+About+Cats/Cat+Care+Questions /Article+Archive+Cat/Anatomy+Of+A+Cat.htm http:// www. pictures-of-cats.org/the-cats-nose.html http:// www. pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/sexingkittens.html

http:// www. carteretcountyschools.org/chs/fptwebs/JBUTLER/Cat %20Dissection/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20External%20Structures.pdf http:// www. petsfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php/1037-Cat-EyesightHow-Your-Cat-Sees-The-World