We can see the classification of cats in real terms to distinguish which ones are cats, and which ones are not cats. So the function of classification is simply to distinguish cats from other animals.
Physically, the characteristics that cats have are having fangs, some are long-haired and some are short. Continue to have two eyes that can glow in the dark, have four legs, have claws, have two pointed ears, and have a tail.
Scientific Cat Classification
Scientifically, cats have been recorded as separate animals or native animals. Not a type of another animal. So that means not including dogs, sheep, or others. A separate type of animal.
This has been proven by the scientific classification of cats, here’s the list:
Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia
Filum: Chordata
Class: Mammals
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. Silvestris
Upa species: Catus
Binomial name: Felis silvestris-catus
Linnaeus, 1758
For more clarity, I will discuss the above classification one by one:
Kingdom
Cats are included in the Animalia kingdom because cats are indeed an animal, not humans or plants. Animalia if in Indonesian is referred to as animals.
Chordata phylum
The reason why cats are included in Chordata is that they have an elongated tail accompanied by an anus. In addition, it is also included in animals that have a pharyngeal slit.
The grouping of the Chordata phylum is intended for animals that have a long tail with an anus, have a pharyngeal slit, have a single nerve cord, and have a notochord.
Mammalia
Cats are indeed four-legged mammals, because they reproduce by giving birth and also have mammary glands.
Mammals are a grouping of animals that specifically have mammary glands to feed their young.
Usually, if an animal is breastfeeding, then it also includes animals that reproduce by giving birth.
That’s all owned by cats. Therefore, he is included in the mammal category.
Ordo Carnivora
Cat classification Order Carnivora means the group of animals that eat meat. Cats are naturally carnivorous animals that eat the meat of animals smaller than them.
That’s why cats are also among the animals that actively hunt. Because he belongs to the Carnivora animal.
Although lately, many cats are eating ingredients from plants. But actually, naturally, in the wild. Cats are pure meat eaters.
Cat family Felidae
The Felidae cat classification is a grouping of mammalian carnivorous animals that can usually also be used as human pets.
According to Wikipedia, the Felidae Cat Family is further divided into 3 subfamilies. Namely Pantherinae, Felinae, and Acinonychinae.
Genus Felis
Cat classification Genus Felis is one of the subs of Felinae and cats belong to the Genus Felis.
F.Silvestris Species
What this means is that cats are considered wild animals. So originally cats were wild animals, not pets. It’s just that in history, many of them were trained to be used as pets, and that happens until now.
Upa Catus species
The next cat classification is Upa Catus species. This means that cats can be house/domestic cats. Indeed, when viewed from history, this cat is widely bred by humans so that it can become a house pet. Although originally a wild animal.
Cat Morphology
Cats are animals that have distinctive characteristics, so distinguishing them from other animals is quite easy. Cats have an average length of about 46 cm without a tail with an average weight of 4 – 5 kg.
This animal has a characteristic form of 4 legs with a fairly long tail and has a shape that is almost all similar among all types of cats.
The most distinguishing are size, length, fur color and slight differences in shape. But if it is lined up, it will look to have the same characteristics.
Continuing about the general characteristics, cats have soft textured fur. For this reason, cat owners like to stroke their fur.
The reason is that, because cat fur is really soft and fluffy, whether it’s long or short, the same character is smooth.
Then regarding the shape of the body, there are small and large. But the difference is not too far. That’s the privilege that cats have.
This is clearly different when compared to other animals, for example, dogs. They have body shape that is quite different, some are very small, and some are very large, up to the size of a sheep.
I guess that’s an explanation of the classification of cats that you can learn to increase your knowledge about what cats are.
