From whom did cats descend? - briefly
Cats descended from a small, carnivorous mammal known as Proailurus, which lived approximately 25 million years ago and is considered the earliest common ancestor of modern felines.
From whom did cats descend? - in detail
Cats, as we know them today, are descendants of a long evolutionary lineage that traces back to early carnivorous mammals. The earliest ancestors of modern cats are believed to be the Miacids, small, tree-dwelling mammals that lived approximately 60 million years ago. These creatures were highly adaptable and possessed sharp teeth and claws, traits that would later define their descendants. Over millions of years, Miacids diversified into various branches, one of which gave rise to the family Felidae, the group that includes all modern cats. The first true felids appeared around 25 million years ago during the Oligocene epoch. These early felids, such as Proailurus, were small, agile predators that resembled modern wildcats in many ways. Proailurus is often considered the first true cat and is thought to be the common ancestor of all living feline species. Around 10 to 15 million years ago, the Felidae family split into two major groups: the Pantherinae, which includes big cats like lions, tigers, and leopards, and the Felinae, which encompasses smaller cats such as domestic cats, lynxes, and cheetahs. The domestic cat, Felis catus, is believed to have descended from the African wildcat, Felis silvestris lybica, around 10,000 years ago. This relationship is supported by genetic evidence, which shows a close similarity between the DNA of domestic cats and that of their wild ancestors. The domestication of cats likely began when humans transitioned from nomadic lifestyles to settled agricultural societies. Cats were attracted to human settlements due to the presence of rodents, which thrived on stored grains. Over time, a mutually beneficial relationship developed, with humans tolerating and eventually encouraging the presence of cats for their pest-control abilities. This gradual process of domestication led to the development of the diverse breeds of domestic cats we see today. Despite their domestication, domestic cats retain many of the physical and behavioral traits of their wild ancestors, including their hunting instincts, territorial behaviors, and solitary tendencies. The evolutionary journey of cats from small, tree-dwelling mammals to the beloved companions of humans is a testament to their adaptability and resilience.