Domestic Cats are descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. They may have been present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7,000 years ago, and actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4,000 years ago. Introduction in Europe began around 2,000 years ago, and interbreeding occurred there with the wild subspecies Felis silvestris silvestris.

The house cat is basically solitary, but individuals in a given area seem to have a social organization and hierarchy. A male newly introduced to an area normally must undergo a series of fights before its position is stabilized in relation to other males. Both males and females sometimes gather within a few meters of each other without evident hostility. A male and female may form a bond that extends beyond the mating process.

Domestic Cats typically weigh between 2.5 and 7 kg (5.5­16 lb). Females are polyestrous and normally produce two litters annually. They may mate with more than one male per season. The gestation period averages 65 days. Litter size ranges from one to eight, with an average of four. Kittens weight 85-110 gms, open their eyes after l9-20 days, are weaned at 8 weeks, and attain independence at about 6 months. Sexual maturity in females is from 7-12 months.

Distribution is cosmopolitan. Specifically reported in: Albania, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Crete, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey.