The domestic cat is a descendant of the African wild cat, which first inhabited the planet almost a million years ago. Other early forerunners to the cat existed as many as 12 million years ago. The domestic cat is one of the most popular house pets in the world. There are hundreds of breeds of domestic cats, which weigh anywhere from five to thirty pounds, with an average of twelve pounds. The cat is slightly longer than it is tall, with its body typically being longer than its tail.
Domestic cats can be any of eighty different colors and patterns.
The cat's gestation period is approxiately two months, and each litter may contain three to seven kittens. Mother cats teach their kittens to eat and to use litter boxes. Kittens can leave their mother's side ideally at the age of twelve weeks, and are considered full-grown at the age of about three years.