Felis silvestris catus

**Domestic Cat**
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The domestic cat (Felis catus) is a small, carnivorous mammal belonging to the family Felidae. It is one of the most popular companion animals worldwide.

**Origin and Distribution**
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The domestic cat is believed to have originated from the wildcat (Felis silvestris). They are found throughout the world, except in Antarctica, and are estimated to number around 600 million as of 2009. The domestic cat is a nocturnal predator that feeds on rodents, birds, and fish.

**Behavior**
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Domestic cats are generally solitary animals, but they may interact with their offspring or other cats occasionally. They are known for their ability to cover their needs, which is reflected in the etymology of the word "cat".

**Etymology**
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The origin of the word "cat" is uncertain, but it is believed to have come from ancient languages. In the Bible, the name of the cat is mentioned as "I" (Isaiah 11:6) and "cat Bar" (Jeremiah 13:23). The modern English word "cat" is derived from the Old English word "catt", which was used to describe a type of wild animal.

**Classification**
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The domestic cat is classified as Felis silvestris catus, a subspecies of the wildcat. It is also known by other names, including pet cat, home cat, and simply cat.

**Population**
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As of 2009, the domestic cat is estimated to be the most common pet in the world, with around 600 million individuals worldwide.

**References**

Note: The references for this article are not provided as they were not included in the source snippets.