The Seven Levels of Classification for a Domestic Cat
A cat by any other name would still be feline, but taxonomists --
scientists who classify living things -- would not be able to
communicate nearly as much information as they can through the
scientific name Felis catus. The seven levels of classification for a
domestic cat do more than just classify it; they also provide scientists
with a detailed explanation of what a cat is like. A scientist who had
never seen a cat before could tell a great deal about it by examining
its classification levels. Likewise, people who are very familiar their
pets may learn things they never knew by examining the categories to
which it belongs.
Animalia
The
domestic cat belongs to the kingdom Animalia, which includes all
animals. Animals are made up of many cells, all of which lack the cell
walls that characterize plants and fungi. These cells are organized into
larger units called tissues in all animals except for sponges, and
often form complex groups of tissues called organs. Animals cannot make
their own food like plants, but must rely on catching and ingesting
other organisms. To this end, most animals have the ability to move in
more complex ways than the organisms of any other kingdom.
Chordata
Cats
have backbones, which places them in the phylum Chordata and the
subphylum Vertebrata. Unlike members of other phyla, such as segmented
worms (phylum Annelida) and insects (phylum Arthropoda), the chordates
have a notochord that forms during some stage of their early development
to support the body. In vertebrates, this primitive rod develops into
part of the spinal column. They also have a nerve cord that transmits
signals to the rest of the body. Vertebrates, such as cats, have a
fully-formed skeleton and spinal column, which is segmented into
discrete bones to allow movement.
A
cat by any other name would still be feline, but taxonomists --
scientists who classify living things -- would not be able to
communicate nearly as much information as they can through the
scientific name Felis catus. The seven levels of classification for a
domestic cat do more than just classify it; they also provide scientists
with a detailed explanation of what a cat is like. A scientist who had
never seen a cat before could tell a great deal about it by examining
its classification levels. Likewise, people who are very familiar their
pets may learn things they never knew by examining the categories to
which it belongs.
Animalia
The
domestic cat belongs to the kingdom Animalia, which includes all
animals. Animals are made up of many cells, all of which lack the cell
walls that characterize plants and fungi. These cells are organized into
larger units called tissues in all animals except for sponges, and
often form complex groups of tissues called organs. Animals cannot make
their own food like plants, but must rely on catching and ingesting
other organisms. To this end, most animals have the ability to move in
more complex ways than the organisms of any other kingdom.
Chordata
Cats
have backbones, which places them in the phylum Chordata and the
subphylum Vertebrata. Unlike members of other phyla, such as segmented
worms (phylum Annelida) and insects (phylum Arthropoda), the chordates
have a notochord that forms during some stage of their early development
to support the body. In vertebrates, this primitive rod develops into
part of the spinal column. They also have a nerve cord that transmits
signals to the rest of the body. Vertebrates, such as cats, have a
fully-formed skeleton and spinal column, which is segmented into
discrete bones to allow movement.
Mammalia
Because
cats have hair, three middle-ear bones and mammary glands, which
produce milk for their young, they belong to the class Mammalia, which
includes all mammals. More specifically, cats are placental mammals, or
eutherians, who primarily nourish their fetal young through a placenta
inside the womb. Cats share this class with a wide variety of animals,
from mice to blue whales.
Carnivora
Cats
are meat eaters in the order Carnivora. Like all members of this group,
they have large canine teeth, three pairs of incisors and sharp
carnassial teeth where other mammals' premolars would be. This allows
them to efficiently slice and tear through the flesh of other animals.
They are also distinguished by a fixed jaw, which can only move up and
down and not side to side as the jaws of many other mammals can. Cats
are among the most carnivorous of the carnivores, feeding almost
exclusively on meat.
Felidae
Domestic
and wild cats make up the family Felidae. This family is characterized
by short muzzles and a reflective membrane over their eyes, which gives
them excellent vision. They are also agile, have excellent balance, and
possess partially or completely retractable claws -- all characteristics
which make them excellent hunters.
Felis
Since
domestic cats are small felines, they are placed in the genus Felis.
Although the cats in this genus are smaller than some of the "large"
cats, such as lions and tigers, there is still a significant range of
sizes. For example, the domestic cat and the mountain lion are both
classified as "small" or "lesser" cats, even though the mountain lion is
larger than the leopard, which is a "big" cat. The most distinguishing
feature of this genus is that none of its members can roar, as large
cats can. Some classification systems place only the very small cats
into the genus Felis, such as the wildcat and jungle cat.
Catus
Although
many scientists believe that the species catus descended from the
European wildcat, which shuns man, domestic cats are primarily raised as
pets. F. catus includes between 40 and 55 pure breeds (different
associations recognize different pedigrees) and is constantly changing
as new breeds are developed. One of the newest breeds, the Burmilla, was
recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association Inc. in February 2011
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