Cat

Cats are small animals that eat meat. They are hunters. Cats have sharp claws that they can pull in and out. These claws help them catch mice and rats. Cats have strong bodies and quick movements. Their teeth are very sharp. Cats can see well in the dark. They also have an excellent sense of smell.

Cats talk to each other in many ways. They meow, purr, and hiss. They also use their body to show how they feel. Cats can hear sounds that people cannot hear at all. These are very quiet or very high sounds. Cats are smart animals. They can learn by watching other cats. They can also figure out how to solve problems.

A long time ago, people started to keep cats as pets. This happened in a place called the Near East about nine thousand five hundred years ago. Today, cats live all around the world. People love cats because they are nice friends. Cats also catch rats and mice that people do not want in their homes. Some cats are special kinds that people show at big cat events.

There are about six hundred million pet cats in the whole world. Many of these cats live in Asia. China alone has fifty eight million cats. The United States has about seventy four million cats. The United Kingdom has about eleven million cats. Some cats live wild and avoid people. These wild cats sometimes have babies that also live without people. When people leave their cats outside, more wild cats are born. These wild cats sometimes hurt birds and other small animals. People can stop wild cats from having babies to help control their numbers.