The musculo-skeletal system is extremely flexible, allowing cats to arch and twist their bodies in a variety of ways. Their sense of hearing is excellent and, at least in the small cats, can detect frequencies of up to 40,000 Hz or higher. They are also good swimmers and members of many species appear to enjoy bathing. Only the cheetah, the swiftest of all mammals, runs down its prey. Most are more or less solitary, but cheetahs live in family groups and lions live in groups, called prides, of up to 30 individuals.
Cats live in a wide variety of habitats, although they are most numerous in warm climates.
Even a single species, such as the tiger, may range from cold northern regions to the tropics. All continents except Australia and Antarctica have native species. Domestic Cats Cats have been domesticated since prehistoric times, perhaps for as long as 5,000 years. They have been greatly valued as destroyers of vermin, as well as for their ornamental qualities. The ancient Egyptian domestic cat, which spread to Europe in historic times, was used as a retriever in hunting as well as for catching rats and mice.