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"Maximum longevity: 30 years (captivity) Observations: Domestic cats descend from wild cats (*Felis silvestris*). There are conflicting reports concerning the longevity of cats and estimating their maximum longevity is difficult and error-prone. The oldest cat is reportedly "Creme Puff," a 37 year-old animal in Texas, USA (http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/), but the accuracy of this record has not been confirmed. Cats do appear to occasionally live more than 30 years."

Felis catus can be found on every continent except Antarctica, generally in human populated areas. This species can be found on a large number islands as well. Their nearly global distribution can be attributed their domestication by humans; however, there is a large global feral population as well.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Introduced ); palearctic (Introduced ); oriental (Native ); ethiopian (Native ); neotropical (Introduced ); australian (Introduced ); oceanic islands (Introduced )

Other Geographic Terms: holarctic ; cosmopolitan

Domestic cats have no predators.

Felis catus most likely originated from African wild cats or Asian desert cats. Although both species have the same number of chromosomes as Felis catus, Asian desert cats are common around human settlements and are easily tamed. There are over 100 breeds of domestic cats but all have a very similar body shape and size. Adult mass ranges from 4.1 to 5.4 kg, and average length is 76.2 cm. Interbreed variation is defined based on coat type and coloration or patterning of the fur. Domestic cat have approximately 244 bones in their body, of which about 30 are vertebrae (the number can vary depending upon the length of cat). With so many vertebrae in their spine, cats are very flexible and can rotate half of their spine 180°. They are capable of jumped five times their own height and are able to slip through narrow spaces because they have no collar bone and their scapula lie medially on their body. Each forelimb (i.e., manus) has five digits and the hindlimbs (i.e., pes) have four. Polydactyly is not uncommon among house cats. They have retractable claws on each paw, which typically do not extend when the animal walks. They have 26 teeth that usually develop within the first year. The dental formula for this species is 3/3, 1/1, 2/2, 1/1. When kittens are about two weeks old they develop deciduous or milk teeth above the gums. By the end of the fourth month the milk incisors are replaced by permanent teeth.

Range mass: 4.1 to 5.4 kg.

Average length: 76.2 cm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry ; polymorphic

There is no information available regarding the average lifespan of domestic cats in the wild. Captive individuals, however, are expected to live for approximately 14 years.

Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 14 years.

Domestic cats primarily live in areas of human habitation and are somewhat constrained to developed areas. Most feral populations live in close proximity to current or past human settlements.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Other Habitat Features: urban ; suburban ; agricultural

Domestic cats are carnivorous, and a healthy diet consists of about 30 to 35% muscle meat, 30% carbohydrates, and 8 to 10% fats, which promote growth and healthy skin and coat. Feral cats may hunt for rodents or birds. Most domestic cats depend on human supplied feed. Adult females require around 200 to 300 calories per day, whereas adult males need between 250 and 300 calories per day. In order to kill their prey, all felids bite the back of the neck at the base of the skull, thus, severing the spinal chord from the brain stem. Primary prey for feral animals includes small rodents, birds, fish, and some arthropods. Occasionally, domestic cats ingest plant material to fulfill fiber deficiencies.

Animal Foods: birds; mammals; fish; insects

Plant Foods: leaves

Primary Diet: carnivore (Eats terrestrial vertebrates)

Domestic cats are great pest control agents for rodents in and around areas of human habitation. Cats can become infected with hookworm (Ancylostoma and Uncinaria) larvae either from ingested food or from penetration through the skin. Once infection occurs, hookworms travel to the lungs and then to the intestines where they develop into adults and attach to the intestinal walls. Hookworm infestation can cause anemia and if left untreated can result in blood in the feces and eventually death. Roundworms (Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara cati), the most common parasites among house cats, may infect cats when they eat rodents. Approximately 25% to 75% of the global cat population is estimated to be infected with roundworms. Roundworms also live and develop in the intestine where females produce eggs that are excreted with feces. Infection can result in intestinal blockage and death. Sometimes, larvae from domestic cats can be passed onto humans causing visceral larval migrans and ocular larval migrans. Cats can become infected with tapeworms during grooming by ingesting larvae or eggs or by eating infected rodents. Controlling infection is highly successful with the aid of medications from veterinarians. Tapeworms rarely cause significant illness or death in domestic cats.

Mutualist Species:

• humans, (Homo sapiens)

Commensal/Parasitic Species:

• fleas, (Siphonaptera)
• ticks, (Ixodida)
• ringworm, (Dermatophytosis)
• mites, (Acari)
• lice, (Pthiraptera)
• fly larvae, (Diptera)
• roundworms, (Nematoda)
• tapeworms, (Cestoda)
• hookworms, (Ancylostomatidae)
• coccidians, (Coccidia)

Aside from the benefit that humans receive from domestic cats as pets, domestic cats are used as model organisms for various biomedical research efforts and have been used as rodent pest control agents for thousands of years. It is likely that cats were first domesticated due to their usefulness as pest control agents. There has been a great deal of effort put into mapping the genome of domestic cats.

Positive Impacts: pet trade ; research and education; controls pest population

Domestic cats are extremely abundant and are overpopulated in many urban areas. Overpopulation is a major problem, and has become a significant economic burden in some locations. Feral cats can be a nuisance, and have decreased the abundance and diversity of bird communities at various locations across the globe. Feral cats have also been known to spread parasites and disease to domesticated individuals. Cats can also transmit parasites and disease to humans. For example, domestic cats can pass tapeworms, hookworms and possibly roundworms to humans.

Negative Impacts: causes or carries domestic animal disease

Domestic cats are extremely abundant, and overpopulation is a major issue throughout various parts of their global distribution. Large population numbers and their natural predatory instincts has lead to the decline of numerous species of small vertebrates, including many species of bird

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

Body language and vocalizations are ways in which domestic cats communicate with conspecifics. Relaxed individuals often have their ears forward and whiskers relaxed. Adults display contentedness via purring. Kittens also purr and knead or prod when content and suckling their mother. Domestic cats also "meow", which changes meaning in relation to posture. If a cat is upset it will likely growl, hiss, or even spit at another cat or animal. In general , cats have advanced auditory perception. Their pinna can rotate 180° to either face frontward or be flattened back or any direction in between. With three inner ear cannals in each of the three dimensional planes, domestic cats have a great sense of balance. Their ears are sensitive enough to hear ten octaves, which is two more than a human can hear. Domestic cats can hear a broad range of frequencies, from 50 to 65 kilohertz, versus humans which can only hear sounds between 18 and 20 kilohertz. They have vabrissae on the muzzle, eyebrows, and elbows which function as haptic receptors. These touch receptors allow house cats to navigate their way around obstacles in low light conditions by sensing changes in air flow around an object as it approaches it.

Peripheral vision in domestic cats is very good but their eyes are also farsighted (an adaptation for hunting), which doesn't allow them to focus on objects within a 2 feet. A reflective membrane in the back of the eye, called the tapetum lucidum, reflects light from behind the eye's retina and intensifies it. Species possessing tapetum lucidum are able to see exceptionally well in low light. Cats cannot see most colors, although some researchers believe that they may be able to see red and blue. The third eyelid, or haw, is a semi-transparent protective lid which typically retracts into the inner corner of the eye.

With about 200 million olfactory cells, the domestic cat's nose is about thirty times more sensitive than that of humans. Jacobson's organ (i.e., the vomeronasal organ) is located immediately dorsal to the hard palate and is particularly exposed to scent molecules when an individual inhales via the mouth.

A domestic cat's tongue is covered in hundreds of papillae; hook-like structures, which face backwards and are used to comb and clean the fur. Domestic cats sometimes socially groom, but typically grooming is a singular task unless the cat is the individual's mother. Taste buds are located on the sides, tip, and back of the tongue and allow domestic cats to perceive bitter, acidic and salty flavors but not sweet.

Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

Other Communication Modes: mimicry ; pheromones ; scent marks

Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; vibrations ; chemical

House cats are polygynandrous, as both males and females have multiple mates throughout the year.

Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)

Unless pregnant, female house cats go into estrus approximately every 21 days during breeding season, which occurs from March to September in the Northern hemisphere and from October to March in the southern hemisphere. Male house cats patrol territories in search of estrus females during mating season. Estrus females call loudly to potential mates, while continually rolling on the ground. When a potential mate arrives, females present their rumps, which lets the male know they are in estrus. When a pair meets, they may mate many times over a few hours before parting ways. Females have induced ovulation which is stimulated by copulation. Gestation ranges from 60 to 67 days. Average litter size has not been documented for this species; however, as many as 18 kittens in a single litter has been reported. Neonate mass ranges from 110 to 125 g. Most kittens are weaned by 7 to 8 weeks after birth and are completely independent by 12 weeks. Females are reproductively mature by 6 months, and males are reproductively mature by 8 months.

Breeding interval: Females go into oestrus approximately every 21 days during the breeding season unless mated.

Breeding season: March to September in the Northern Hemishpere or October to March in the Southern Hemisphere

Range number of offspring: 18 (high) .

Range gestation period: 60 to 67 days.

Range weaning age: 7 to 8 weeks.

Average time to independence: 12 weeks.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 6 months.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 8 months.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; induced ovulation ; viviparous

House cat kittens are cared for by their mothers, and paternal care is virtually non-existent. In some cases, unrelated females may aid new mothers by caring for and nursing her kittens while she hunts. This behavior is rare, however, and often mothers are forced to leave their kittens unguarded while hunting. Mothers also purr to their kittends, which is thought to kitten stress levels. Females nurse their kittens until around 8 weeks after birth, when weaning is completed. Prior to independence, kittens learn how to hunt by mimicking their mother. Mothers also take an active role in teaching their young how to hunt by allowing them to hunt only very small animals, such as small mice. Kittens are not permitted to hunt larger prey, such as rats, right away. Weaning is usually complete by 7 to 8 weeks; however, kittens do not leave their mother until they are 6 to 8 months old, depending on sex.

Parental Investment: precocial ; female parental care ; pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); extended period of juvenile learning

Widespread.

Native, resident.

6.1.4 Salud

Los arañazos de gato transmiten una enfermedad infecciosa, bacteriana, producida por Bartonella henselae, caracterizada, en la mayoría de los casos, por la aparición subaguda de una linfadenopatía regional en niños y adultos, lo que puede afectar al hígado, bazo, ojos (Eymyn, 2006). Portadores y transmisores de diversas zoonosis tales como a angiomatosis bacilar, peliosis hepatis, bacteremia crónica, endocarditis, linfadenopatía crónica y enfermedades neurológicas. Es la más comun zoonosis con aprox. 25.000 personas diagnosticadas cada año en EU. Salmonelosis (enfermedad infectocontagiosa principal manifestación es la gastroenteritis aguda), Toxoplasmosis, Rabia (Eymyn et al., 2006).

6.1.1 A flora y fauna nativa

En general, el impacto de la depredación por parte de los gatos afecta sobre todo a aves y pequeños mamíferos (Dickman 1996). Las especies en peligro de extinción en todo el mundo son amenazadas por la presencia de gatos, incluyendo al Himantopus novaezelandiae (presente en la lista roja de especies amenazadas de IUCN) de Nueva Zelanda, el pájaro carpintero de Okinawa, Japón (en la lista roja de especies amenazadas de IUCN) y la iguana de las Islas Caimán (en la lista roja de especies amenazadas de IUCN), por citar algunas de las especies afectadas (ISC, 2011).

6.1.3 Económico

Los esfuerzos para controlar a las población de gatos que han sido introducidos en islas tiene un costo de muchos miles de dólares para los gobiernos involucrados y es costoso también para la biodiversidad global (Nowak, 1997).

Competencia

F. catus es un competidor potencial para otros carnívoros nativos de México (Álvarez, 2003).

Depredador*

F. catus posee buenos sentidos del oído y del olfato, lo que le permite ser un buen cazador y ello ha contribuido a su impacto sobre la fauna nativa de muchos sitios a los que ha sido introducido (Álvarez et al., 2008)

Depredación

Los gatos ferales son depredadores, los estudios muestran que pueden cazar pequeños mamíferos, aves, reptiles, anfibios, insectos e incluso peces (ISC, 2011).

Ciclo reproductivo

La gata adulta generalmente es poliéstrica estacional, dependiendo en gran medida del fotoperíodo. La estación reproductiva natural incluye la primavera y el verano. En el transcurso de ésta, la gata presenta sucesivos ciclos estrales (Proestro, estro, fase lútea o diestro y anestro). Sin embargo, cuando es mantenida con 12-14 horas de luz en forma constante, frecuentemente cicla durante todo el año, incluyendo las estaciones de otoño e invierno. La gestación dura en promedio 63-67 días, considerando variaciones de 59 a 71 días (Sánchez, 2002). Pueden tener de 2 a 4 camadas por año con 1 a 8 crías por camada (Álvarez et al., 2008).

Colonias

Aunque pueden ser solitarios, se han encontrado grandes colonias con estructuras sociales complejas, de hasta 2000 individuos por Km2 (Izawa et al., 1982; Kerby &MacDonald, 1982).

Estructura social

Los grupos normalmente se componen de varias hembras emparentadas, sus crías de ambos sexos y un macho adulto, cuya zona de distribución usualmente incluye otros grupos de hembras. Las hembras generalmente se quedan en su grupo, mientras que los machos juveniles lo dejan cuando alcanzan la madurez sexual (Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, 2011).

Territorialidad

Los machos dominantes pueden tener territorios de hasta 8 km2, mientras que los territorios de las hembras son más pequeños y pueden ser reducidos a la mitad cuando están criando a sus crías. Las glándulas odoríferas están en la barbilla, en las esquinas de la boca y en la región anal. Los límites territoriales se marcan por medio del olor con las glándulas de las mejillas, arañando superficies visibles, orinando y dejando heces fecales expuestas (ISC 2011).

Refugio

Se refugian en árboles, troncos huecos, cuevas madrigueras abandonadas por otros animales o en vegetación densa (Álvarez, 2003).

Nocturno

Son generalmente nocturnos, pero pueden ser bastante activos durante el día (Álvarez, 2003).

Solitario

Este animal caza preferentemente de manera solitaria (Álvarez, 2003).

Temperatura

Felis catus es una especie muy adaptable, aunque su temperatura óptima va de los 17 a los 29°C. Como es el caso con otros mamíferos, los gatos ferales pueden modificar sus patrones de conducta en cuanto a actividades y búsqueda de comida en respuesta a los cambios de temperatura en el medio ambiente (ISC, 2011)

1.1 Descripción de la especie

Posee un pelaje suave y lanoso con una apariencia brillante, mantenida por constante limpieza con lengua y patas, y bigotes muy bien desarrollados. Su cuerpo es flexible, ligero, musculoso y compacto, las patas delanteras tienen cinco dígitos y las traseras cuatro dígitos. Las garras son retractiles, largas afiladas, muy curvadas y comprimidas lateralmente. Posee cojinetes desnudos y patas peludas para su avance sigiloso como depredadores. Las hembras poseen cuatro pares de mamas. La cabeza es redondeada y corta y las orejas son redondeadas. Las pupilas de los ojos se contraen verticalmente. Su lengua esta adaptada para lacerar y detener comida con su superficie cubierta por papilas puntiagudas curvas. Su dentadura refleja su carácter como depredadores. Cuentan con un parpado secundario o membrana nictitante para proteger el ojo y con glándulas en la cabeza, cerca de la cola y el hocico, que utilizan para marcar. Tienen buenos sentidos de la vista y oído (Álvarez et al., 2008).

Migración

Esta especie presenta la capacidad natural de migrar largas distancias en busca de alimento (Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, 2011).

Nematodos

Son afectados por enfermadeades causadas por nemátodos como: Ollulanus tricuspis, Toxascaris leonine, Trichinella spiralis, Capillaria aerophila y Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Alcaino &Gorma, 1999, Denny &Dickman, 2010).

Parásitos

La infección por Leishmania en gatos (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) es un fenómeno poco común. La primera descripción de leishmaniasis en los gatos se remonta a 1912, en Argelia. Desde entonces se han reportado alrededor de 50 casos de infección natural de gatos domésticos con alguna de las especies del parásito. Sin embargo, en los últimos años la frecuencia de casos reportados se ha incrementado, probablemente por el aumento en la incidencia global de la infección por Leishmania, y un mayor número de personas que tienen gatos como mascotas, lo que genera más consultas y cuidados veterinarios, facilitando el diagnóstico de la enfermedad (Salazar &Díaz, 2009).
Además de enfermedades causadas por platelmintos: Phagicola sp, Dipylidium caninum, Diphyllobothrium latum, Taenia taeniaeformis.
Protozoos: Trypanosoma cruzi, Giardia cati, Cryptosporidium sp, Toxoplasma gondii, Isospora felis, Isospora rivolta, Sarcocystis sp.(Alcaino &Gorma, 1999, Denny &Dickman, 2010).

Infección patogénica

Esta especie además es un portador y eficiente transmisor de enfermedades y parásitos, algunas de las cuales son transmisibles al mismo humano (Álvarez, 2003).

Virus

Los virus más comunes que causan enfermedades en los gatos son el calcivirus felinos, el herpes felino, la panleucopenia felina también conocida como enteritis infecciosa felina y el virus de immunodeficiencia felina (Denny &Dickman, 2010).

Años

En promedio pueden vivir hasta 15 años, 10 años los machos y de7 a 12 años las hembras (Álvarez et al., 2008).

Carnívoro

Son fundamentalmente carnívoros y se alimentan de cualquier mamífero o pájaro ocasionalmente de peces y reptiles (Álvarez, 2003).

3.4 Hábitat- SNIB - CONABIO, 2007

Los gatos ferales se adaptan a una gran variedad de tipos de hábitat y circunstancias, en el continente australiano habitan los bosques en el este, oeste y norte del país (Dickman, 1996). En Isla Hahajima, Japón, los gatos salvajes se han observado ampliamente en varios tipos de hábitats, incluyendo bosques primarios (Kawakami &Higuchi, 2002). En la isla Macquarie, (una isla sub-antártica australiana) la mayoría de los gatos viven en la hierba del campo o en pastizales, mostrando una capacidad de adaptación a terrenos difíciles. Hall y colegas (2000 citado en GISD, 2010) sugieren que un hábitat ribereño provee amplia cobertura y tal vez una gran variedad de presas, especialmente las aves (GISD, 2010).

Terrestre

(GISD, 2010).

Edad de primera reproducción

Generalmente la madurez sexual se alcanza entre los 7 o 12 meses de edad (Álvarez-Romero, 2008).

Huiskatten spelen in veel natuurgebieden een belangrijke rol als roofdier. En niet alleen verwilderde exemplaren. Ook katten die thuis dagelijks een bakje blikvoer krijgen en overdag opgerold op de vensterbank liggen, veranderen buiten in wilde roofdieren. De huiskat stamt waarschijnlijk af van de wilde kat uit Noord-Afrika. Het zijn oorspronkelijk bosbewoners en ze jagen op middelgrote prooidieren door ze te beloeren, besluipen en bespringen.

House cats play a major role as predator in many nature areas. And not just wild specimen. Cats that are fed daily by humans and sleep in the window sill during the day, can turn into wild predators at night. The house cat is probably related to the wild cat from North Africa. It was originally a forest inhabitant. It hunts medium-sized prey by watching, stalking and pouncing them.

Es típico eb todas los pueblos del mundo