Cat

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/cat

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Felis catus
2. What makes cats good at catching mice?Cats have sharp eyes that see well in low light, ears that hear high‑frequency sounds, and whiskers that feel around them. These senses help them find mice even in the dark. They also have retractable claws for grabbing prey.
3. How did cats become pets?About 9,500 years ago, wildcats started living near human grain stores. The mice that ate the grain attracted the cats, and humans liked the cats for keeping the mice away. Over time, cats became friendly companions.

Commensalism: A relationship where one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped.
Crepuscular: Describes animals that are most active during twilight hours, dawn and dusk.
Vibrissae: Specialized sensory hairs, commonly known as whiskers, that provide tactile information about the environment.