 Cats are familiar and easily kept animals , and their physiology has been particularly well studied ; it generally resembles those of other carnivorous mammals , but displays several unusual features probably attributable to cats ' descent from desert @-@ dwelling species . For instance , cats are able to tolerate quite high temperatures : Humans generally start to feel uncomfortable when their skin temperature passes about 38 ° C ( 100 ° F ) , but cats show no discomfort until their skin reaches around 52 ° C ( 126 ° F ) , and can tolerate temperatures of up to 56 ° C ( 133 ° F ) if they have access to water . 
