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What the sources say

Domestic CatFelis catus

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Domestic Cat profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 42 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

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Source
01

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan

Felis catus (domestic cat). Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.

The page saysjumps five times its own height
The source sayscapable of jumping five times their own heightNote: tagline; ADW only, a capability figure rather than a record
The page saysThe flexible carnivore
The source sayscats are very flexible and can rotate half of their spine 180°Note: tagline
The page saysMostly around human habitation, in urban, suburban and farm areas; most feral cats live near current or past human settlements
The source saysDomestic 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.Note: stats.habitat; 'urban, suburban and farm' are ADW's Other Habitat Features tags (urban, suburban, agricultural). First clause names no biome word, so biome stays 'general' as before
The page saysCarnivore: feral cats mainly hunt small rodents, birds, fish and some arthropods, and some pet cats depend on food people supply
The source saysSome domestic cats depend on human supplied feed... 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 arthropodsNote: stats.diet; 'Carnivore' is ADW's 'Domestic cats are carnivorous'
The page saysRotates half its spine through 180 degrees and slips through narrow spaces
The source sayscan rotate half of their spine 180°. They are capable of jumping five times their own height and are able to slip through narrow spacesNote: stats.superpower, rewritten: the righting reflex and the whisker gauge had no source
The page saysadults weigh 4.1 to 5.4 kg and average about 76 cm long
The source saysAdult mass ranges from 4.1 to 5.4 kg, and average length is 76.2 cm.Note: 76 rounds 76.2; ADW does not say whether length includes the tail, so the page doesn't either
The page saysIts shoulder blades lie close in against its body, and it can slip through narrow spaces.
The source saysare able to slip through narrow spaces because they have no collar bone and their scapulae lie medially on their bodyNote: ADW's 'no collar bone' is dropped: Vélez García et al. 2026 dissected cats and describe the clavicle. Only the scapula position and the narrow-spaces ability are kept.
The page saysIts spine holds about 30 vertebrae, a count that varies with the cat's length.
The source saysof which about 30 are vertebrae (the number can vary depending upon the length of cat)
The page saysWith so many vertebrae, a cat can rotate half its spine through 180 degrees, and it can jump five times its own height.
The source saysWith so many vertebrae in their spine, cats are very flexible and can rotate half of their spine 180°. They are capable of jumping five times their own height
The page saysTo kill, a cat bites the back of the prey's neck at the base of the skull, severing the spinal cord from the brainstem.
The source saysIn 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.
The page saysFeral cats' main prey includes small rodents, birds, fish and some arthropods, while some pet cats depend on food people supply.
The source saysSome domestic cats depend on human supplied feed... 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
The page saysBehind the retina, a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum reflects light back and intensifies it, and animals that have one see exceptionally well in low light.
The source saysA 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.
The page saysEach ear can rotate 180 degrees.
The source saysTheir ears can rotate 180°
The page saysWhiskers on the muzzle, eyebrows and elbows sense changes in air flow, helping a cat steer around obstacles in low light.
The source saysThey have vibrissae 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.
The page saysToday cats live on every continent except Antarctica, generally where people do, alongside a large feral population.
The source saysFelis 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.
The page saysNot Evaluated
The source saysIUCN Red List No special statusNote: stats.conservationStatus. ADW's 'No special status' anchors only that no Red List category applies; it does not itself say Not Evaluated and the page claims nothing more. The category comes from GBIF's copy of the Red List, which returns NOT_EVALUATED (code NE) for Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758, usage key 2435035, checked 2026-09-28 via api.gbif.org/v1/species/2435035/iucnRedListCategory. A domestic species has no Red List assessment, so this line carries no IUCN reference (precedent suffolk-sheep, alpaca).

Source
02

O’Neill et al. 2014

O’Neill et al. (2014). Longevity and mortality of cats attending primary care veterinary practices in England. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.

The page saysIn an English study of 4,009 cats that had attended veterinary practices and died, the median lifespan was 14 years, and the oldest reached 26.7.
The source saysFrom 118,016 cats attending 90 practices in England, 4009 cats with confirmed deaths were randomly selected for detailed study... Overall, the median longevity was 14.0 years (interquartile range [IQR] 9.0-17.0; range 0.0-26.7).Note: 'the oldest reached 26.7' is the range ceiling, scoped to the study

Source
03

Driscoll et al. 2007

Driscoll et al. (2007). The Near Eastern Origin of Cat Domestication. Science.

The page saysA 2007 genetic study of 979 domestic cats and wildcats placed domestication in the Near East, probably as farming villages developed in the Fertile Crescent, with at least five founders from across the region.
The source saysA genetic assessment of 979 domestic cats and their wild progenitors... cats were domesticated in the Near East, probably coincident with agricultural village development in the Fertile Crescent. Domestic cats derive from at least five founders from across this regionNote: 2007 is the reference's publication year (Driscoll et al. 2007, Science).
The page saysDNA pointed to the Near East, where cats descend from at least five wildcat founders, and people then carried those founders' descendants across the world.
The source sayscats were domesticated in the Near East, probably coincident with agricultural village development in the Fertile Crescent. Domestic cats derive from at least five founders from across this region, whose descendants were transported across the world by human assistance.Note: FAQ 3

Source
04

De Martino et al. 2025

De Martino et al. (2025). The dispersal of domestic cats from North Africa to Europe around 2000 years ago. Science.

The page saysThe domestic cat descends from the African wildcat.
The source saysThe domestic cat (Felis catus) descends from the African wildcat Felis lybica lybica
The page saysThe exact birthplace is still open: a 2025 study says it remains uncertain whether domestic cats originated in the Levant, Egypt or elsewhere in the African wildcat's range.
The source saysUncertainty remains regarding whether domestic cats originated in the Levant, Egypt, or elsewhere in the natural range of African wildcats.Note: 2025 is the reference's publication year (De Martino et al. 2025, Science). Date rule: the 2025 paper postdates Driscoll 2007 and hedges its origin, so the page gives both.
The page saysIts analysis of ancient and modern genomes suggests cats did not spread to Europe with Neolithic farmers, and were introduced there around 2,000 years ago, probably from North Africa.
The source saysthe analysis of 87 ancient and modern cat genomes suggests that domestic cats did not spread to Europe with Neolithic farmers. Conversely, they were introduced to Europe around 2000 years ago, probably from North Africa.
The page saysTheir ancestor is the African wildcat.
The source saysThe domestic cat (Felis catus) descends from the African wildcat Felis lybica lybicaNote: FAQ 3
The page saysWhere exactly domestication began is still uncertain, with the Levant and Egypt both possible.
The source saysUncertainty remains regarding whether domestic cats originated in the Levant, Egypt, or elsewhere in the natural range of African wildcats.Note: FAQ 3; 'exactly' paraphrases the quote's choice between the Levant, Egypt or elsewhere, which is uncertainty about the precise place within a region the 2007 study named. The FAQ ref stays near-2007; this sentence names no figure.

Source
05

Li et al. 2005

Li et al. (2005). Pseudogenization of a Sweet-Receptor Gene Accounts for Cats' Indifference toward Sugar. PLoS Genetics.

The page saysbelongs to a family of obligate carnivores
The source saysother members of the Felidae family of obligate carnivores
The page saysCats also show no interest in sweet foods, and a broken gene accounts for it
The source saysPseudogenization of a Sweet-Receptor Gene Accounts for Cats' Indifference toward SugarNote: the paper's title; 'broken gene' = pseudogene
The page sayswithout a working copy, they lack the receptor likely needed to detect sweetness
The source saysA functional sweet-taste receptor heteromer cannot form, and thus the cat lacks the receptor likely necessary for detection of sweet stimuli
The page saysSweetness is normally detected by two proteins working together, T1R2 and T1R3.
The source saysthe mammalian sweet-taste receptor is formed by the dimerization of two proteins (T1R2 and T1R3; gene symbols Tas1r2 and Tas1r3 )Note: FAQ 2
The page saysIn cats, the gene for T1R2 carries a 247-base-pair deletion plus stop codons, and researchers found no sign of its protein, so a working receptor pair cannot form.
The source saysthe cat Tas1r2 gene shows a 247-base pair microdeletion in exon 3 and stop codons in exons 4 and 6. There was no evidence of detectable mRNA from cat Tas1r2 by RT-PCR or in situ hybridization, and no evidence of protein expression by immunohistochemistry... A functional sweet-taste receptor heteromer cannot formNote: FAQ 2; 'so' is the paper's own inference: it concludes Tas1r2 is an unexpressed pseudogene and that the heteromer therefore cannot form.
The page saysTigers and cheetahs, tested in the same study, carry a similar deletion and stop codons.
The source saysTas1r2 in tiger and cheetah and in six healthy adult domestic cats all show the similar deletion and stop codons.Note: FAQ 2

Source
06

Bishop, Pai & Schmitt 2008

Bishop, Pai & Schmitt (2008). Whole Body Mechanics of Stealthy Walking in Cats. PLoS ONE.

The page saysForce-plate recordings of six walking cats
The source saysSix adult cats were used in this study.
The page saysthe lower a cat crouched, hips held close to the ground, the more evenly it spaced its footfalls
The source saysDuring crouched strides in which the hip was held relatively close to the substrate, cats used higher diagonalities.Note: higher diagonality = more evenly spaced footfalls, per the next sentence of the paper
The page saysThe researchers judged that evenly spaced footfalls likely add stability, helpful when stalking prey, but cost the cat energy
The source saysIt is likely that evenly spaced footfalls increase stability [15] and are thus helpful during stealthy approach to prey. However, by choosing such diagonalities during crouched gaits, cats sacrifice energetic efficiency.
The page sayscats recover less mechanical energy while walking than mammals specialized for distance
The source saysdomestic cats ( Felis catus, Linnaeus, 1758) have lower mechanical energy recovery than mammals specialized for distance
The page saysthe lower a cat crouches, the more evenly it spaces its footfalls
The source saysDuring crouched strides in which the hip was held relatively close to the substrate, cats used higher diagonalities.Note: vibe.reason, settled in #913; higher diagonality = more evenly spaced footfalls, per the paper's next sentence
The page saysgiving up walking efficiency for steps that likely steady a stealthy approach to prey
The source saysIt is likely that evenly spaced footfalls increase stability [15] and are thus helpful during stealthy approach to prey. However, by choosing such diagonalities during crouched gaits, cats sacrifice energetic efficiency.Note: vibe.reason, settled in #913

Source
07

Heffner & Heffner 1985

Heffner & Heffner (1985). Hearing range of the domestic cat. Hearing Research.

The page sayshears one of the broadest ranges of sound of any mammal
The source saysgiving it one of the broadest hearing ranges among mammalsNote: tagline
The page says85 kilohertz is the top of the domestic cat's hearing range for sounds at 70 decibels, one of the broadest ranges of any mammal.
The source saysThe hearing range of the cat for sounds of 70 dB SPL extends from 48 Hz to 85 kHz, giving it one of the broadest hearing ranges among mammals.Note: blockquote; replaces ADW's garbled '50 to 65 kilohertz' with the primary behavioural audiogram
The page saysTested on two cats, the species' hearing for sounds at 70 decibels runs from 48 hertz to 85 kilohertz.
The source saysThe behavioral audiograms of two cats were determined in order to establish the upper and lower hearing limits for the cat. The hearing range of the cat for sounds of 70 dB SPL extends from 48 Hz to 85 kHz

Source
08

Vélez García, Vélez Cabrera & Miglino 2026

Vélez García, Vélez Cabrera & Miglino (2026). Updating the forelimb anatomy of the domestic cat ( Felis catus , Felidae) based on evolutionary inferences of its muscles and nerves I: Shoulder and brachium. Journal of Anatomy.

The page saysA 2026 study that dissected the front legs of 10 domestic cats
The source saysNineteen thoracic limbs from 10 F. catus specimens were dissected.Note: 2026 is the reference publication year
The page saystraces a nerve running dorsal to the clavicle on its way to the upper arm
The source saysThe cleidobrachialis nerve (ClBN) extends cranially to the distal extreme of SS belly among the superficial cervical vessels and dorsal to the clavicle, reaching the clavicular intersection and directing distally to the brachiumNote: brachium = upper arm
The page saysNo. The clavicle, or collarbone, is there.
The source saysdorsal to the clavicle, reaching the clavicular intersection

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.