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The Complete Cat

Perfect Marriage of Form and Function

By Franny Syufy, About.com Guide

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.

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.

Images 1-11 of 11

  1. The Complete Cat: The WholePicture of Cat Stalking the Fence
  2. The Complete Cat: Cat Eyespicture of cat's eyes
  3. The Complete Cat: The NosePicture of cat's nose
  4. The Complete Cat: Cats Mouth and TeethPicture of Mouth and Teeth of a Cat
  5. The Complete Cat: The WhiskersPicture of two Cats' Whiskers
  6. The Complete Cat: Cats' EarsPicture of Cat's Ears
  7. The Complete Cat: Cat's TailPicture of Cat's Tail
  8. The Complete Cat: The Shoulders and Front LegsPicture of Shoulders and Forelimbs of a Cat
  9. The Complete Cat: The All-Important ClawsPicture of a Cat's Claw in Action
  10. The Complete Cat: Cats' Rear Legs and HaunchesPicture of Cat's Haunches and Rear Legs
  11. The Complete Cat: Cats' FurPicture of tortoiseshell cat fur.
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