Say hello to Olive, our sassy, snuggly, and spirited ambassador cat! Rescued via live trap from behind the prairie dog habitat, Olive has traded a rough start for a life of comfort and purpose. Now, she helps us teach visitors about responsible pet ownership—and the surprising impact domestic cats can have on wildlife and ecosystems.

The World of Domestic Cats

Domestic cats (Felis catus) come in more than 100 recognized breeds, each with unique appearances and personalities. Despite these differences, all cats share some remarkable adaptations. For instance, their tongues are covered in hundreds of backward-facing, hook-like structures called papillae. These act like built-in grooming combs and are strong enough to scrape meat from bones.

While feral cats rely on their quick reflexes and sharp senses to hunt bugs, birds, and fish, Olive enjoys a cozy life with a well-balanced diet of canned cat food here at the zoo.

A History of Companionship

Domestic cats have lived alongside humans for thousands of years. Whether catching pests, serving as loyal companions, or being revered as symbols of mystery and fortune, cats have always fascinated people.

Found on every continent except Antarctica, domestic cats owe their global presence to their close relationship with humans. They were especially valued on ships, where they controlled rodent populations during long voyages. It’s believed that all domestic cats descend from wild ancestors in African or Asian.

Built for Stealth and Agility

Cats are natural athletes. They can rotate their spines 180°, jump up to five times their own height, and squeeze through tight spaces thanks to a lack of a collarbone and their uniquely positioned shoulder blades.

Their ears are just as impressive—flexible enough to rotate 180° and sensitive enough to detect sounds between 50 and 65 kilohertz. (Humans, by comparison, hear 18–20 kilohertz.) Their inner ear structure also grants them excellent balance, allowing for those famously graceful landings.

Cats also use their whiskers, or vibrissae, to “see" the world around them. These touch-sensitive hairs, found on the face, eyebrows, and even elbows, detect air movements and help cats build a mental map of nearby objects—even in the dark.

How Cats Sense the World

Cats are farsighted, meaning they see better at a distance, perfect for spotting prey. While they don’t see the full spectrum of colors that humans do, studies suggest they can perceive some shades of red and blue.

Ever seen a cat sniff something and then pause with its mouth open? That’s called the flehmen response. It allows scent particles to reach the Jacobson’s organ (also known as the vomeronasal organ), located in the roof of the mouth. Like snakes, cats use this sense to detect pheromones and other chemical signals in their environment.

The Social Side of Cats

Domestic cats are polygynandrous—both males and females may have multiple mates, and breeding can occur year-round. They are also territorial, marking areas with scent glands located near their ears, neck, and paws. Scratching serves double duty as both a claw-sharpening and scent-marking behavior.

Communication is key in the feline world. Through body language and vocalizations, cats express a wide range of emotions. Relaxed cats have forward-facing ears and relaxed whiskers, while an agitated cat might flatten its ears, puff up its fur, and hiss or growl.