Informative Speech
Domestic Cats
There are many different types of cats in the world today. They come in many different shapes, sizes, colors, and breeds and today I will be discussing the many characteristics of the domestic cat.
One of the first things I would like to discuss today is the Calico cat because I own one. Her name is Cali, she is nine years old and I have had her since she was a kitten. At first, I didn’t want her, but over time, she has grown on me, and there are a lot of interesting things about her that sparked my interest to write about cats. When researching the Calico cat, I discovered that calico is not a breed but a color. Cali is actually a tortoiseshell which is of British descent and originates back to the 1800’s. Tortoiseshell cats are mostly female. Males occur only because of genetic abnormality and are usually sterile. Tortoiseshell coloration results from a combination of black, white and cream hair. The darkest kittens in a litter often prove to be the best adults. No two Calico cats will have the same identical markings. Tortoiseshell patterning is believed to have emerged early in the domestication process, possibly in North Africa and Turkey, were such cats still plentiful. The Calico cat is patched variant of the tortoiseshell with each of the three colors being visible against a white ground. Kittens are invariably duller than adults, and take about nine months to acquire their full color. There fur is short, dense, resilient, and firm. They are highly valued as pets because of their gentle and affectionate nature. Calicos have a reputation for being excellent mothers and mousers. These skills, however, are passed on by example as well as inheritance. I know from experience how good Calico cats are at hunting mice, because one morning Cali decided to bring me one for breakfast, leaving it along side my bed.
In the wild, a cat’s life expectancy depends upon finding food and avoiding injuring, or...