Domestic cats are small agile mammals and are the smallest members of the cat family. Cats are carnivores (meat eaters) and given preference, tend to be solitary, nocturnal animals. They have a number of physical features that vary enormously between individual breeds. Facial shape, tail length, ear size and shape all vary to distinguish individual breeds, along with the obvious differences in fur length, texture and colour. However, many features are uniform. Cats have a very flexible spine that enables them to negotiate small spaces and usually land safely after a fall. They have retractable claws and a tongue with rear pointing spikes to aid feeding and grooming. Usually cats have five toes on the front feet and four on the back, but it is not unusual to see other combinations. Their coat colour may be a single colour, striped or a mixture. Tortoiseshell cats are almost all female. Cats hunt by stalking their prey before pouncing. The prey, often mice, birds or rabbits, may be killed outright but frequently they are ‘played with’ before being killed. Although cats cannot see in complete darkness, they have good vision in dim light. Other senses are also very acute, hearing and smell both being very important for hunting. Cats make excellent pets and although they need regular care and attention, they are less demanding than dogs due to their independent nature.