The cat is a solitary predator, crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), and communicates with vocalizations (meowing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling) and body language. It can also secrete and perceive pheromones. It is very good at sensing danger and escaping from it. It does not need other cats for survival but does mate with them for reproductive purposes.
It has excellent night vision and can see at one sixth the light level needed for human vision. This is due to the presence of a reflective layer in the back of the eye, called the tapetum lucidum. It also has large pupils that can expand or contract to focus bright light without chromatic aberration.
Although often viewed as being aloof and uncaring, the cat is a highly sensitive creature that can feel fear, pleasure and frustration. The cat’s response to these emotions is reflected in its behavior, including its hunting and marking habits. It is quick to learn and integrate new information into its tactics for survival.
It can be difficult to determine the meaning of a cat’s vocalizations, but yowling typically means a plea for food, water or help. Continuous yowling may be a sign of a health problem, especially in senior cats. Cats can also chatter, a soundless call that indicates hunger or boredom, and make loud, long yowls during mating rituals.