How many types of cats in the world?

It's difficult to give an exact number for the types of cats in the world. Here's why:

* Domestic vs. Wild: There are many species of wild cats (lions, tigers, cheetahs, etc.), but you're likely asking about domestic cat breeds.

* Breed Recognition: Different organizations recognize varying numbers of breeds. For example, the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) recognizes 45 breeds, while the International Cat Association (TICA) recognizes over 70.

* New Breeds: New breeds are constantly being developed.

Therefore, it's more accurate to say there are dozens of recognized domestic cat breeds, with many more variations and mixes.

Here's a breakdown:

* Domestic cats: Originated from the African wildcat.

* Breeds: Result from selective breeding for specific traits (color, coat, size, etc.).

* Variations: Even within a breed, there can be a wide range of individual appearances.

* Mixes: Many cats are mixed breed, often called "domestic shorthairs" or "domestic longhairs."

So, the number of "types" of cats is really up to how you define "type."