Cats are originally desert animals, which is why they generally don’t drink much water, as they absorb moisture from their prey. This is one of the reasons domestic cats are fed high-quality wet food. Through their own spread and human intervention, cats now live in almost every relatively warm part of the world, with Antarctica being the exception.
Today, cats’ natural habitats are nearly everywhere: on farms and estates, in cities and villages, and even in remote and uninhabited places, including islands. Cats have adapted very quickly to the new environments and climates where they have been brought by humans. The population density or abundance of cats depends on the density of available prey.
Cat’s lifespan
Depending on breed and diet, our domestic cats can live from 12 to 20 years. Although some cats live to significantly older ages, unfortunately, cats that have been malnourished for years may also leave us much earlier. The oldest cat on record is said to have lived from 1903 to 1939, reaching the age of 36. However, wild, free-roaming cats that humans do not care for do not live as long. The reason, of course, is the many dangers, natural enemies, and the amount of prey a cat can catch.
How cats live together
Cats, particularly sexually mature wild ones, generally live alone to claim available prey on their territory for themselves. They mark their territory by urinating, rubbing, and scratching objects and plants. On the other hand, cats cared for by people but also allowed to roam freely in nature often form small groups since they do not compete over food and are usually well cared for.
How much a cat sleeps
A large part of the day is spent by cats in rest or in the two stages of sleep. Cats tend to sleep frequently and for short periods. A cat rests with its eyes closed while attentively listening to its surroundings with its ears. During what is known as shallow sleep, a cat remains so alert that it will wake at the slightest unfamiliar sound and open one eye first. If the sound is still unrecognized, it will open both eyes and pay close attention until it identifies the noise.
Even with familiar noises, the cat wakes from shallow sleep and listens to its surroundings while resting. After some time in the shallow sleep phase, the cat enters deep sleep, during which it also dreams and wakes only with relatively loud noises. However, deep sleep lasts only about 5 to 10 minutes, followed by another 20 to 30 minutes of shallow sleep.