Comparison of a human & cat skeleton
Comparison of a human & cat skeleton
Written by Kea Grace
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• • • This cat skull bears a striking resemblance to a human skull, yet has many differences. cat skull image by JASON WINTER from Fotolia.com
At first glance, it might look as if there are very few similarities between a human skeleton and a cat skeleton, However, when you look a little deeper, you find many similarities in shape, structure and function.
Evolution
Evolution has shaped the cat as a hunter and predator. Everything about a cat has been formed to shape a lithe, agile fighting animal. In contrast, the skeletons of humans have formed to provide strength and stability.
Similarties
There are many similarities between the modern-day domestic cat and humans. Like nearly every land mammal, both cats and humans have a well-formed skull and jaw, seven cervical vertebrae, a vertebral column and four appendages.
Size and Shape cat skull image by JASON WINTER from Fotolia.com
The most obvious difference between a cat and human skeleton is the size. At nearly 20 to 25 times the size of the average domestic cat, a human is far larger and more powerful. Humans are built as a biped, meaning that they walk on two legs. Therefore, their hips and backbone are shaped much differently and are much more solid than those of the quadruped feline.
Differences
Although humans are much larger, a cat has roughly 250 bones in its skeleton, compared to the 206 bones of the human skeleton. The extra bones in the cat's skeleton are found mainly in the backbone, which gives the cat its extra flexibility and agility. A cat has 52 or 53 vertebrae; humans have 32 to 34. These extra bones are spaced out and have more padding, giving the cat flexibility and the ability to twist, turn and spring. Humans have collarbones, while cats do not. However, cats do have a free-floating set of bones in their shoulders that allow them to worm into any space into which they can fit their head.
Written by Kea Grace
•
• • • This cat skull bears a striking resemblance to a human skull, yet has many differences. cat skull image by JASON WINTER from Fotolia.com
At first glance, it might look as if there are very few similarities between a human skeleton and a cat skeleton, However, when you look a little deeper, you find many similarities in shape, structure and function.
Evolution
Evolution has shaped the cat as a hunter and predator. Everything about a cat has been formed to shape a lithe, agile fighting animal. In contrast, the skeletons of humans have formed to provide strength and stability.
Similarties
There are many similarities between the modern-day domestic cat and humans. Like nearly every land mammal, both cats and humans have a well-formed skull and jaw, seven cervical vertebrae, a vertebral column and four appendages.
Size and Shape cat skull image by JASON WINTER from Fotolia.com
The most obvious difference between a cat and human skeleton is the size. At nearly 20 to 25 times the size of the average domestic cat, a human is far larger and more powerful. Humans are built as a biped, meaning that they walk on two legs. Therefore, their hips and backbone are shaped much differently and are much more solid than those of the quadruped feline.
Differences
Although humans are much larger, a cat has roughly 250 bones in its skeleton, compared to the 206 bones of the human skeleton. The extra bones in the cat's skeleton are found mainly in the backbone, which gives the cat its extra flexibility and agility. A cat has 52 or 53 vertebrae; humans have 32 to 34. These extra bones are spaced out and have more padding, giving the cat flexibility and the ability to twist, turn and spring. Humans have collarbones, while cats do not. However, cats do have a free-floating set of bones in their shoulders that allow them to worm into any space into which they can fit their head.