Anyone who remembers high school biology classes must have heard whether a cat is a mammal or not. But do you know what the right answer is? It may seem easy for some people, but memory doesn't always help and several guardians are in doubt as to whether these animals are really mammals. So, if you are a cat person on duty and like to stay tuned in everything that concerns the species offelines - such as whether cats are carnivores, mammals and other curiosities related to cats - this article was made for you! See below some very interesting information about the species.

Is the cat a mammal after all?

Yes, a cat is a mammal! To better understand this concept, it is important to keep in mind that cats are part of the group of vertebrate animals. This means that they have vertebrae - present in the spine - and also a skull. Every mammal is a vertebrate animal, but not every vertebrate animal is a mammal (as is the case with fish and birds). The species of felines, in turn, aredefined as vertebrate animals that are mammals. But what does that mean in practice? What defines a mammal?

There are some characteristics that are typical of these animals, such as the presence of mammary glands and the fact that the body must be totally or partially covered by hair. Oh, and here's a curiosity: even hairless cats - like Sphynx and Peterbald - are not entirely hairless: they have a light layer of fluff on their skin, but it ends up being imperceptible to the eye.many people.

The cat needs breastfeeding to develop

The mammary glands are the main point about mammals. Cat, dog, human: females of all mammal species have these glands and consequently the ability to produce milk and suckle their young. This is the big reason why mammals are given this classification, and it turns out to be also the most striking characteristic of this group of animals.

With this in mind, we remind you that breast milk is the main source of food for kittens in the first weeks of life, and should not be replaced by other food sources. Felines are mammals, as already mentioned, and depend on breastfeeding to develop early in life, since it is breast milk that will provide all the nutrients it needs to develop.strengthen.

Other curiosities about the cat species

Cat habitat: Many people wonder what the natural habitat of cats is, but the truth is that since they were domesticated these animals have had the human home as their habitat. This goes even for abandoned cats and those living in urban or rural centers, as they also suffer human influence in the way they live. But before the domestication process, when they still lived in the wildwild, cats lived in forests, thickets and woodlands.

Cat food: Cats are strictly carnivorous animals, which means that meat is their main source of nutrients, and it is practically impossible to raise a feline on a vegetarian basis. The feline species needs a diet rich in protein to ensure good health, which is why cat food is adapted to meet the needs of these pets.

Cat behavior: Even though they have been domesticated for many years, feline behavior is still marked by many wild instincts. If you have ever seen a cat scratching the sofa, climbing a piece of furniture, running after prey, licking itself or going potty in the litter box, know that all of this is linked to its instincts. This is why environmental enrichment for cats is so important.important, as it helps to preserve this side of the animal and offers it a better quality of life.

Life expectancy of the cat: If you've ever wondered how many years a cat lives, know that the answer will depend mainly on the care the animal receives. A kitten that lives on the streets, for example, has a much lower life expectancy than one that has a home and is well cared for. The average lifespan of the feline species is usually 12 to 15 years, but there are several kittens that can exceed this time andreach up to 20 years!