The Complete Cat

Cats' bodies (form) are designed to keep pace with their survival needs (function). As the lion has come to be known as the King of the Jungle, the ordinary house cat has earned a solid reputation as ruler of the home. To watch a cat stalk and catch his prey provides a lesson rarely matched in the form and function of a strong, supple, well-developed animal. After watching and waiting, sometimes for hours, once prey is sighted, he calculates size, distance, even wind direction, then he melds every part of his body into a single unit of naturally-flowing strength, grace and speed to bring down his next meal. You can see the same body language in an indoor cat chasing a toy mouse, or a kitten stalking a fly or moth.

Would any of us be willing to sacrifice either form or function in the makeup of our cats? Every move of those glorious beasts simply cries out the definition. Small wonder that so many car manufacturers have enhanced their fastest, sleekest models with feline names.

Let's view the parts of a cat's anatomy that meld into a whole of inimitable form and function with this illustrated tutorial.
_{Taltos, Photo Credit: © Julie Kilbride}