Where did cats appear on Earth? - briefly
Cats first appeared on Earth approximately 10 million years ago in the forests of southeast Asia. They are believed to have evolved from a species called Proailurus, which was similar to modern civets and genets.
Where did cats appear on Earth? - in detail
Cats, as we know them today, first appeared on Earth approximately 10-13 million years ago during the Miocene epoch, which spanned from about 23 to 5.3 million years ago. This period was characterized by significant climatic changes and the emergence of diverse mammalian fauna.
The earliest known ancestor of modern cats is Proailurus, a small, tree-climbing mammal that lived in Europe and Asia around 20 million years ago. Proailurus possessed many cat-like features, including retractable claws and a carnivorous diet, which it shared with other felids—the family to which cats belong. However, it was smaller than modern cats and had a more generalized body structure.
Over time, Proailurus evolved into Pseudaelurus, another early felid that lived around 15-20 million years ago. Pseudaelurus was larger than Proailurus and exhibited more specialized adaptations for preying on small mammals. From Pseudaelurus, the lineage split into two main branches: one leading to the saber-toothed cats (Machairodontinae) and another giving rise to the modern cat subfamily, Felinae.
The Felinae subfamily includes many species that are recognizable as ancestors of today's domestic cats. One of these is Felis lunensis, which lived in Europe around 6 million years ago. This species was slightly larger than a modern domestic cat and had a more robust build. It possessed a short tail and long legs, adaptations suited for chasing prey on open ground—a significant departure from the arboreal lifestyle of its ancestors.
As the Miocene epoch progressed into the Pliocene (5.3-2.6 million years ago), the Earth's climate continued to cool and dry out, leading to the expansion of grasslands and savannas. This shift in habitat favored species that were more adapted to open environments, including early forms of Felis silvestris—the European wildcat.
Felis silvestris is considered one of the closest ancestors of the domestic cat (Felis catus). It likely first appeared around 2 million years ago and exhibited many traits found in modern cats, such as a slender body, retractable claws, and a keen sense of hearing and vision. The European wildcat was widespread across Eurasia and Africa, providing ample opportunities for interaction with early human populations.
The domestication of cats is believed to have begun around 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region of the Middle East. As humans transitioned from a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle to settled agricultural communities, they began to store grains and other crops. This attracted rodents and other pests, which in turn attracted wildcats seeking easy prey. Over time, these wildcats likely became more tolerant of human presence and eventually were selectively bred for their ability to control pests.
Thus, the evolutionary journey of cats from their ancient ancestors to the beloved domestic companions we know today spans millions of years and reflects the dynamic interplay between environmental changes and adaptive pressures.