How to identify the Domestic Cat

To correctly identify the Domestic Cat (Felis catus), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

46-51 cm (head and body), 20-30 cm (tail)

Wingspan

0 cm

Weight

2.5-7 kg (can vary significantly with breed and individual)

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Not applicable; covered in fur. Fur coloration is highly variable, including solid colors (black, white, ginger, grey), tabby patterns (striped, mackerel, spotted, patched), tortoiseshell, calico, and colorpoint. Fur texture can be short, medium, long, or even hairless depending on breed.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Not applicable; possesses a small, triangular muzzle with a nose and mouth.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Highly variable, including green, blue, gold, copper, and heterochromia (two different colored eyes).

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Not applicable; legs are covered in fur, color varies with overall coat.

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   Retractable claws, prominent whiskers (vibrissae), highly flexible spine, excellent night vision, acute hearing, and a distinctive purr. Lacks wings, feathers, and a bird-like skeletal structure.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Kittens are smaller versions of adults, often with softer fur and disproportionately large eyes and ears. Their coordination and hunting skills develop with age.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   Not applicable; fur density may increase in colder climates during winter and shed in warmer months, but no significant color changes occur.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Males (toms) are generally larger and heavier than females (queens). Intact males may have broader heads and thicker necks. No differences in fur coloration directly linked to sex, though some color patterns (e.g., tortoiseshell, calico) are almost exclusively found in females due to genetic linkage.

Key field marks

• Absence of Feathers and Wings. The most definitive characteristic: Domestic Cats are covered in fur, not feathers, and possess four legs, not wings. They are incapable of flight.
• Mammalian Features. Observe typical mammalian traits: live birth, nursing young, presence of whiskers, and a flexible, fur-covered body.
• Vocalizations. Listen for characteristic meows, purrs, hisses, and growls, which are distinctly different from bird songs or calls.
• Behavior. Note their predatory hunting style (stalking, pouncing), climbing ability, and terrestrial locomotion. They do not perch on branches like birds or exhibit avian flight patterns.
• Anatomy. Examine their skeletal structure if possible (e.g., in deceased individuals); it lacks the hollow bones and fused structures characteristic of birds adapted for flight.

Explore the Domestic Cat