The Domestic Cat: Fascinated by the Perfect Hunter

Abstract

The domestic cat (Felis catus) is one of the most cherished and successful pets in the world; however, we cannot overlook its carnivorous nature, as it is a remarkably agile and intelligent animal, considered one of the most successful hunters among vertebrate fauna. Despite coexisting with humans for thousands of years, it has managed to retain its dignity and freedom, while learning to obtain food, affection, comfort, and protection from humans. Since cats have accompanied humans since prehistoric times (around 9500 BCE), they have spread as a domestic, wild, or feral species across practically the entire planet, where they have caused significant ecological damage; posing an enormous threat to faunal biodiversity (González, 2010) and even driving several wild species to extinction, especially on islands where they have been abandoned but their populations have thrived.