Science · Grades 3–6
Amazing Cats
Reading comprehension lesson about the amazing cat family — from domestic house cats to lions, tigers, and cheetahs.
Subject
Science
Grade Level
Grades 3–6
Resource Type
Worksheet
Access
Free lesson · PDF: Full Member
Reading Passage
Amazing Cats
Cats belong to the family Felidae, one of the most successful predator families on Earth. There are about 37 living species of cats, ranging from the tiny rusty-spotted cat of South Asia, which weighs under four pounds, to the Siberian tiger, which can exceed 600 pounds. Cats are found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Despite their enormous range in size, all cats share the same basic body plan: retractable claws, forward-facing eyes for depth perception, flexible spines, and powerful leg muscles for pouncing.
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat meat to survive. Unlike dogs and many other predators, cats cannot digest plant material efficiently and require certain nutrients, including taurine, that are found only in animal tissue. All cats are skilled hunters. Their retractable claws stay sharp because they are sheathed when not in use. Most cats hunt by stalking silently close to prey before launching a short, explosive burst of speed. Cats typically kill with a precise bite to the neck or skull.
Cat senses are extraordinary. Their eyes have a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum behind the retina that amplifies light, giving cats excellent night vision and causing their eyes to glow in the dark. Cats can hear sounds at frequencies far beyond human range. Their whiskers, called vibrissae, are sensitive touch receptors that help cats navigate in darkness and gauge whether their body can fit through an opening.
The domestic cat was likely first domesticated in the Near East around 10,000 years ago, as humans began farming and storing grain that attracted rodents. Cats were valued for rodent control and eventually became companions. Today there are hundreds of domestic cat breeds. Despite thousands of years of domestication, house cats retain nearly all the hunting instincts and physical adaptations of their wild relatives — a domestic cat and a lion share about 95 percent of their DNA.
Printable Worksheet
Printable PDF · 4 pages
Amazing Cats Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Nonfiction passage about the cat family, comprehension questions, and answer key. Printable PDF for classroom or home use.