Domestic cat

The domestic cat, or pussy cat (as opposed to big cats such as lions and tigers), is a small furry mammal of the species Felis silvestris catus that has for many thousands of years been a constant companion of humans. Originally domesticated in Egypt in ancient times, cats have been much valued for their ability to catch mice and other vermin, and for their loving and loyal relationship with their human masters. The distinctive cry of the cat is the meow, though it is also noted for its purr. Nocturnal by nature, cats living outside of human society, known as ferral cats, invariably revert to a night-time existence.