How did cats and cats come about? - briefly
The evolution of modern cats began with small, wild African felines called jungle cats around 6 million years ago. Over time, these ancestors evolved into domestic cats through selective breeding by humans for companionship and pest control.
How did cats and cats come about? - in detail
The evolution of cats, both domestic and wild, is a fascinating journey that spans millions of years. It begins with their ancient ancestors, which were small, weasel-like creatures known as Miacids, living during the Paleocene epoch around 60 million years ago. These early mammals gave rise to two main lineages: Carnivora and Miacoidea. The Carnivora lineage eventually led to the development of the Felidae family, which includes all cats.
One of the earliest known felids is Proailurus, a small cat-like creature that lived around 20 million years ago during the Oligocene epoch. Proailurus had features similar to modern cats but was not yet fully adapted for hunting or climbing trees. Over time, these early felids evolved into more specialized forms, such as Pseudaelurus, which appeared around 15-20 million years ago and exhibited some of the characteristics seen in modern big cats like lions and tigers.
Around 11 million years ago, during the Miocene epoch, the first true representatives of the Felis genus emerged. These early felines were likely small, agile predators that inhabited forests and woodlands. One notable species from this period is Felis lunensis, which lived in Europe and exhibited characteristics similar to modern domestic cats.
The divergence between the ancestors of domestic cats and wild big cats occurred around 6-7 million years ago. This period saw the emergence of two main lineages within the Felidae family: Panthera (which includes lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards) and Felis (which includes domestic cats and their closest wild relatives).
Domestic cats themselves have a more recent evolutionary history. The domestication of cats began around 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region of the Middle East. Early human settlements attracted rodents and other small prey, which in turn drew wild cats to these areas. Over time, humans likely started tolerating and even encouraging the presence of these wild cats for pest control purposes.
The process of domestication was gradual, with cats becoming more accustomed to human presence and eventually being selectively bred for desired traits such as tameness, coat color, and temperament. This led to the development of a wide variety of cat breeds that we see today, each with its unique characteristics and adaptations.
In summary, the evolution of cats from their ancient Miacid ancestors to the diverse range of domestic and wild felines we know today is a complex and multifaceted process shaped by environmental factors, natural selection, and human intervention. This journey has resulted in one of the most beloved and iconic animals in human culture and society.