Regarding Werecats

Werecat.
Name is combination of were (man) and cat.
Majority of werecats are found in Europe (when they were plentiful), though have been found upon all continents (save for Antarctica.)
Commonly confused with werewolves, though are dissimilar in most aspects.
Females (and males younger than 10-11 years of age) resemble humans and walk upright in their primary form, but have several main differences.  Werecats have feline ears, eyes, teeth (sharper than human teeth), a tail, and claws.  They have pads on fingertips and palm.  Legs are feline as well, but are proportional to a human body.  Typically shorter than human female average when fully grown.  Claws on fingers and toes are retractable; on fingers, retracted claws resemble human fingernails.  Claws appear opaque or somewhat blackened.  Preadolescent males develop cheek tufts one to two years before puberty (which hits at 10 or 11 years of age).  Adult female’s secondary form resembles that of a housecat.  Females are typically very cunning after a period of naivety during childhood years.  Can learn magic.  Adulthood starts at age 20.  Noses are excellent for sniffing out various herbs, and are renowned for their herbal medicine skills.
In their primary form, adult male werecats do not resemble human males, save for the fact that they are upright and have a similarly built torso.  Bodies are typically muscular in appearance, covered with fur that resembles the fur patterns on their secondary form.  Their ears, teeth, eyes, and nose resembles those of cats.  They too sport claws, though are larger and usually sharper than female’s.  Also have feline hind legs, and a tail.  Fur length is determined by how long it is in their secondary form.  Males tend to be very aggressive in nature, and often fight for territory.  Although this is not always the case, most go from female to female, never settling down with one.  The secondary form of males too resemble housecats, but are anywhere from the size of a bobcat to a mountain lion.  Cannot learn much magic past simple healing spells, unless they did not undergo puberty transformation at age 10 or 11.  Males who did not have transformation can perform magic past simple healing spells, though are not as efficient at casting as females.  After transformation, the males resemble an underdeveloped version of an adult.  Adulthood starts at age 20.  Typically taller than human males on average.  Usually don’t use secondary form.
Werecats can live virtually forever, though generally through territory spats and the like do not live past 100 or 200 years old.  Reproduction can start when they enter adulthood.  Pregnancies last for one to two years, varying with the size of the litter.  Litters can have anywhere from five to twelve kittens.
One incident that nearly wiped out the werecat species was when one power-crazed female decided that in order to make the world a better place, that werecats should be the dominate species.  Mated with the best of the male gender, had many offspring, whom she manipulated in her control. The plan had been taken with great opposition from werecats outside of her control, and caused a war that decimated all but a few.  Sources confirm that the event happened near 500 B.C.
By the time of the dark ages, nearly all were gone from the earth.  Only known werecat had managed to slip out of death’s grip.  Was born near the time of war in 500 B.C. (unconfirmed), was one of the few kittens who somehow escaped the grasp of their mother’s influence (also unconfirmed).  Is an expert at herbal medicine, magic, and potions; still attempts to find other surviving werecats.  Killed mother in war; only werecat she killed in the war.  Was open about identity before majority of magical creatures were killed/died off or went into hiding themselves; now in modern era hides identity underneath a human disguise.  Typically wears baggy pants/long skirts, boots, some sort of hat, and gloves to hide feline parts.  If caught without gloves, claims the pads on fingertips and palm are a skin condition.  Occasionally wears contacts that make eyes appear normal but prefers shades.  Is a wise, clever and cunning individual; do not attempt to approach without a plan.  Considered dangerous, though can be helpful, though often cryptic.  Often takes to helping individuals secretly.  Sometimes uses illusions to disguise herself as well, but usually does not because she would have to keep it up constantly.
The bite of a werecat onto a human will result in a partial transformation, that may temporarily alter the bitten person’s appearance.  Effects can last anywhere from a day to multiple years.  They will not completely look like a werecat, but will gain some feline-like characteristics and behaviors.
Late 21st century, a breeding program was introduced; werecats being bred through human uterus.  Males could be born without complication; carrier for females died after childbirth.  Eventual incline of werecat species.