Cat news, features and articles
![A small brown wild cat in the snow](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ckgSDSGjN9zb6yYEz3Cojb-1200-80.jpg)
From why cats meow and purr to how they get their stripes and squeeze through small spaces, Live Science tells you everything you need to know about our feline friends — wild and domestic, past and present. Live Science's expert writers and editors cover the best stories in cat science, whether they're the biggest cats in the world, like lions and tigers, or the domestic cats sharing our homes, so you'll always find cat news, features and articles to read.
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![A male Florida panther perches on a tree branch.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7VKYKNTfcnRGB7XzmqVa2o-320-80.jpg)
Giant Florida panther captured by wildlife officials is heaviest on record
By Sascha Pare published
Wildlife officials accidentally captured the heaviest Florida panther ever documented during a routine population check.
![a cat with gray spots crouches on a blue background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sqjocoiyZ3vNpeBvDWQTJi-320-80.jpg)
How do cats get their spots?
By Ashley P. Taylor published
Scientists have identified some of the involved genes behind cats' spots, but there's still a piece missing.
![Two kittens with their backs arched and tails puffed up](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hQrZwtxEoVSfdTFVpWuYXM-320-80.jpg)
Do cats communicate with their tails?
By Clarissa Brincat published
From tail up to tail down, what do different cat tail positions and movements mean?
![A night-time photo of a mountain lion with her kittens](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UXvkaHV4uURLZ9Ak8NS6gh-320-80.jpg)
Mountain lions in Los Angeles are becoming nocturnal to avoid humans
By Patrick Pester published
The mountain lions of Greater Los Angeles are becoming more active at night to cope with humans hiking, cycling and jogging in their habitat.
![A cat tilting its head](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6bJU3SqAp7Prh8nhoCEjH-320-80.jpg)
Cats are better at word association than human babies are, study finds
By Victoria Atkinson published
Cats are quicker than babies to associate a picture of a word with its corresponding picture, new research shows.
![Broken tooth shown in the jaws of one of the lions.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sv7ykWaiHdZesZAkHdBkaY-320-80.jpg)
New DNA findings shed light on Tsavo's infamous man-eating lions
By Elise Poore published
Scientists extract DNA from hair embedded in the Tsavo lions' jaws that reveals the species of prey they ate while they were alive.
![A cat opens its mouth and looks out a window](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ufyoQSdzQQHSvqY2RRnfJf-320-80.jpg)
Why do cats 'chatter'?
By Victoria Atkinson published
Some cats chatter, oftentimes when they see prey. But why?
![A white cat squeezes under fence](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fZRijU7jDnUMueiiujrZxH-320-80.jpeg)
How do cats squeeze through small spaces?
By Charles Q. Choi last updated
Cats can squeeze through impossibly small holes, but how does their anatomy enable them to do this?
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