Who are the cat's relatives? - briefly
The domestic cat (Felis catus) is closely related to other species within the Felidae family, which includes big cats like lions and tigers. Additionally, cats share ancestry with smaller wild felids such as the jungle cat and the African wildcat.
Who are the cat's relatives? - in detail
Cats belong to the family Felidae, which includes all species of cats, both big and small. The closest living relatives of domestic cats are the African wildcat (Felis lybica), from which the domestic cat is thought to have been first domesticated. Other members of the Felidae family include lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, and cougars, among others. These species are all part of the subfamily Pantherinae, while domestic cats belong to the subfamily Felinae.
Within the genus Felis, which includes domestic cats, there are several other species that share a close evolutionary relationship. These include the jungle cat (Felis chaus), the wildcat (Felis silvestris), and the Chinese mountain cat (Felis bieti). While these species are not typically considered to be direct ancestors of domestic cats, they do share many genetic similarities and are closely related in terms of evolutionary history.
Domestic cats have also been selectively bred for various traits over thousands of years, leading to the development of numerous breeds with distinct physical characteristics. However, despite these differences, all domestic cat breeds remain members of the same species, Felis catus.
In summary, while domestic cats share a close evolutionary relationship with other species in the genus Felis and the family Felidae, their closest living relatives are African wildcats. Understanding the relationships between different cat species provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history and genetic diversity of these fascinating animals.