What kind are cats from? - briefly
Cats belong to the Felidae family within the Carnivora order. They are obligate carnivores, meaning their diet primarily consists of meat.
What kind are cats from? - in detail
Cats, as we know them today, are believed to have originated in Africa and the Middle East approximately 10,000 years ago. The exact progenitor of domestic cats is not definitively known, but it is widely accepted that the African wildcat (Felis lybica) is the most likely ancestor. This species is still found in parts of North Africa and the Middle East.
The process of domestication likely began when early farmers started to cultivate crops, which attracted rodents and other small animals that cats preyed upon. Over time, these wildcats were drawn to human settlements by the abundance of food, leading to a mutualistic relationship where humans benefited from the cats' pest control abilities, while cats gained access to a stable food source.
Through selective breeding and natural selection, domestic cats (Felis catus) have evolved distinct physical and behavioral characteristics that set them apart from their wild ancestors. For instance, they exhibit a wider range of coat colors and patterns compared to African wildcats, which typically have a sandy or grayish-brown coat with stripes and spots. Additionally, domestic cats have developed more sociable behaviors and are generally less aggressive towards humans than their wild counterparts.
While the African wildcat is considered the primary ancestor of domestic cats, genetic studies suggest that other small wild cat species may also have contributed to their evolutionary history. For example, the jungle cat (Felis chaus) and the Chinese mountain cat (Felis bieti) are known to interbreed with domestic cats in certain regions, potentially introducing genetic diversity into the domestic cat population.
In conclusion, the origin of domestic cats can be traced back to the African wildcat, with selective breeding and natural selection playing significant roles in their evolution into the diverse range of feline companions we have today.