When did cats and cats appear? - briefly
Cats, as members of the Felidae family, first appeared around 25 million years ago, with modern domestic cats (Felis catus) descending from the African wildcat approximately 10,000 years ago.
When did cats and cats appear? - in detail
Cats, as members of the Felidae family, have a long evolutionary history that dates back millions of years. The earliest ancestors of modern cats, known as Proailurus, appeared approximately 25 million years ago during the late Oligocene and early Miocene epochs. Proailurus was a small, tree-dwelling carnivore that shared some characteristics with modern cats, such as retractable claws and a carnivorous diet. Over time, the Felidae family diversified, giving rise to various lineages, including the ancestors of today’s domestic cats. The genus Felis, which includes the domestic cat (Felis catus), emerged around 6 to 7 million years ago. The domestication of cats began much later, around 9,000 to 10,000 years ago, in the Near East, where early agricultural societies attracted wildcats due to the presence of rodents. These wildcats, likely Felis silvestris lybica, gradually adapted to living near humans, leading to a mutually beneficial relationship. Archaeological evidence, such as the burial of a cat alongside a human in Cyprus dating back 9,500 years, supports this timeline. Cats were highly valued in ancient civilizations, particularly in Egypt, where they were revered and associated with deities. Their role as pest controllers and companions solidified their place in human societies, and they eventually spread globally through trade and exploration. Today, cats are one of the most popular domesticated animals, with a rich history intertwined with human civilization.