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==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Cats have often been mistakenly characterised as solitary animals as a result of their depiction in popular literature, and due to the results of early studies of cat behaviour. This is a false perception that has persisted in the popular imagination. Whilst they do use [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Distance Increasing Behaviour|distance-maintaining behaviour]] to avoid direct conflict with each other, the importance of social interaction in this species is clear from the presence of specific distance decreasing and [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Affiliative Behaviour|affiliative behaviours]].

Cats have often been mistakenly characterised as solitary animals as a result of their depiction in popular literature, and this false perception has persisted in the popular imagination. Whilst they do use [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Distance Increasing Behaviour|distance-maintaining behaviour]] to avoid direct conflict with each other, the importance of social interaction in this species is clear from the presence of specific distance decreasing and [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Affiliative Behaviour|affiliative behaviours]].

Natural social groups are made of related female cats and juveniles, with adult males and surplus females being displaced from the group at maturity. Intact males will range over much larger territories, visiting different groups of females to mate.

Natural social groups are made of related female cats, kittens and juveniles. If resources are insufficient to comfortably maintain a group, surplus females will leave or be displaced from the group as they reach maturity and become direct competition for resources with established group members. As they approach reproductive maturity, males leave the group and secure their own, much larger, territories, visiting different groups of females to mate.

==Group Size==

==Group Size==