Which animal did cats evolve from and in what year? - briefly
The modern domestic cat (Felis catus) evolved from the African wildcat (Felis lybica), with this evolutionary process beginning approximately 10,000 years ago during the Neolithic period.
Which animal did cats evolve from and in what year? - in detail
The evolution of cats is a fascinating topic that has been extensively researched by scientists over the years. To understand which animal cats evolved from, it's essential to delve into the history of their ancestral lineage.
Cats belong to the family Felidae, which includes species such as lions, tigers, and leopards. The earliest members of this family are believed to have emerged around 11 million years ago during the Miocene epoch. These ancient felids were relatively small and resembled modern-day cats in many ways, but they were not yet the domestic cats we know today.
The specific ancestor of domestic cats is thought to be a wild cat species called Felis silvestris, which includes the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) and the African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica). These wildcats are still found in various parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. The African wildcat is particularly significant because it is believed to be the closest ancestor of the domestic cat.
Genetic studies have provided compelling evidence that domestic cats (Felis catus) originated from the African wildcat around 10,000 years ago. This timeline coincides with the dawn of agriculture and the establishment of human settlements in the Fertile Crescent region, which includes modern-day Iraq, Syria, Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon. As humans began to cultivate crops and store grain, they inadvertently created an environment that attracted rodents and other small animals. This abundance of prey likely drew African wildcats into human settlements, where they found a reliable food source.
Over time, these wildcats adapted to living alongside humans, and through selective breeding, they were domesticated. The process of domestication is believed to have begun around 9,500 years ago in the Near East, with some evidence suggesting that cats may have been first domesticated in China around the same time. However, the genetic data strongly supports the Near Eastern origin as the primary site of cat domestication.
In summary, domestic cats evolved from a wildcat species called Felis silvestris, with the African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica) being the closest ancestor. The process of domestication began around 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region, driven by the availability of food sources and the establishment of human settlements. This evolutionary journey has resulted in the beloved domestic cat that we share our homes with today.