2007-03-18 05:01:56 · 16 answers · asked by dmbz2000 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Wild cats developed spots and stripes over their period of evolution to break up the overall outline of their bodies so as not to be so readily detectable by their prey. Those that were successfully camouflaged in this way were the most successful hunters and therefore survived to pass the patterns on to their offspring.
Lions are the only felines that have developed "pack" hunting and learned to use strategies not used by other cats to bring down their prey. The panthers of Central America are all black, probably the forests there are so dense they have no need for camoflauge. Our North American pumas and mountain lions also don't have spots or stripes. Even lion cubs are patterned for the first months of their lives for protection of those that might prey on them.
Our domestic cats, who are all descended from a small African desert cat, have had other strategies (speed, stealth, climbing ability) to avoid predators so the mutations in color patterns making the variety we have to-day in coat colors , striping and spotting could evolve without harming the cats survival potential.
2007-03-18 05:26:04 · answer #1 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some domestic cats have spots , I have two white cats with gray spots on head and tail. I have a black that has white spots all over her body and a white tip tail. I have a white cat that has black spots and she looks like a cow. Most cats have stripes but they are alto of different colors of domestic cat and if you want one with spots, keep looking and you will find one, they are usual barn cats that have several mates that you can find cat with spots.
2007-03-18 05:08:33 · answer #2 · answered by Thelma C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many domestic cats are "tabbies". Tabby cats always have stripes in some form, and tabby markings on their heads. Sometimes the stripes are distorted and can look like blotches and spots, as in Calicos.
2007-03-18 05:22:03 · answer #3 · answered by Icanhelp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Domestic cats certainly do have spots. Calico and tortise cats have spots. These cats will always be females.
2007-03-18 06:52:17 · answer #4 · answered by lochmessy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bengali (domestic) cats have lots of spots. My tabby looks like a Bengali and has lots of spots, mainly underneath. There are spots...... and there are spots!
I think your question should have been..."Why don't domestic cats have spots...like Leopards?".
2007-03-18 05:12:37 · answer #5 · answered by JohnH(UK) 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've never seen a housecat with a pattern of spots like a cheetah but some of them have random spots, like calico cats for example.
Maybe some wildcats have patterned spots because they have to camouflage themselves from prey with larger eyes, and housecats only have to hide from things like mice and birds who may not notice them with their tiny eyes. Whatever the answer, I am sure it has to do with evolution and adaptation.
2007-03-18 05:04:57 · answer #6 · answered by Dana Katherine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when my cat is in the sun, i can see stripes. also, once when she was licking her foot, i saw some small black spots... i always look for them but i haven't seen them since.
2007-03-19 15:46:01 · answer #7 · answered by aleecyboo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My kitty has stripes and spots and patches of white!
2007-03-18 05:09:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
look up a picture of an egyptian mau they have beautiful spots
2007-03-18 06:37:29 · answer #9 · answered by MommyCaleb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they do,my cat samantha has round black spots and stripes
2007-03-18 05:11:20 · answer #10 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋