| Cats, also referred as Felis catus, house cats and | | | | averages between 18- 20 inches (46-51 centimeters) |
| domestic cats are small, cute carnivorous mammals. | | | | long. The size of the cats also depends on their |
| For cat lovers around the world, who wish to know | | | | skeleton size. The skeleton of the cat is very |
| more about these adorable pets, below is a | | | | prominent. Their spines (backbone) have more bones |
| physiology of cats. To start with, studies reveal that | | | | because it supports the tail. |
| around 69 billion of cats are present in the U.S. | | | | Their vertebral columns are not rigid as in human |
| homes. | | | | being. However, they are extremely flexible. This |
| They are the second most favored pets after dogs. | | | | peculiar feature of flexibility helps them to bend their |
| They can be interbred and have to be registered as | | | | backs, twist, and twirl their bodies, so that they can |
| pedigree pets. Human beings value cats very much | | | | squeeze through minimum gaps. |
| for their superior companionship and capabilities to | | | | Secondly, a cat does not possess collarbone |
| hunt rodents. | | | | (Clavicle). If it had a collarbone, then it may not have |
| Researchers suggest that association of cats with | | | | been able to slip away through the narrow spaces. |
| human dates back some 9500 years ago. They | | | | The skeleton of the cat is symmetrical and starts |
| believed that ancient Egyptians were first to | | | | from the head region to entire body. The general |
| domesticate cats, as they considered cats as religious | | | | structure of the cat's skeleton includes of three |
| animals. However, recent study shows that, people in | | | | subunits. |
| other continents also domesticated cats around the | | | | The first skeletal subunit includes appendicular |
| same time. | | | | skeleton, which contains bones of fore limbs and hind |
| Cats are expert predators and can hunt more than | | | | limbs. The second subunit includes axial skeleton, |
| 1000 types of species. However, cats are easily | | | | which contains cranium, ribs, spine, and sternum. Third |
| teachable to obey commands. Some cats learn | | | | skeletal subunit is the visceral skeleton, which |
| without training such as they can bolt the lock and | | | | constitutes parts of other bodily organs such as |
| work on simple mechanisms. | | | | ossicles (middle ear) and paws. |
| Their vocalizations vary and they use different body | | | | Functions Of Cat's Skeleton: |
| languages to communicate. The common vocalizations | | | | Cat's skeleton mainly carries out four functions. First, |
| include meowing, hissing, grunting and growling. | | | | it supports and shields the body. Secondly, the bones |
| Size And Skeleton Of Cats: | | | | work as levers to execute the muscular action. The |
| An adult domestic cat weighs about 4.5 -6.8 | | | | skeleton also functions as the storehouse for |
| kilograms. Female feline weighs anywhere between 6 | | | | phosphorous, calcium and other vital elements. |
| - 10 pounds, about 2.7 - 4.8 kilograms. The height of | | | | Lastly, cat's skeleton also serves as storage space |
| the cat is about 8 to 10 inches, which means they | | | | for RBC (red blood cell), WBC (white blood cells) and |
| are around 20-25 centimeters in height. | | | | fats. |
| The length of cat from its nose tip to the tail base | | | | |