Who was the first cat on earth? - briefly
The first cat-like ancestors, known as Proailurus, appeared approximately 25 million years ago, marking the earliest known members of the cat family.
Who was the first cat on earth? - in detail
The origins of the first cat on Earth trace back to the evolutionary lineage of felids, which emerged millions of years ago. The earliest known ancestor of modern cats is Proailurus, a small, tree-dwelling mammal that lived approximately 25 million years ago during the late Oligocene and early Miocene epochs. Proailurus, often referred to as the "first cat," shared some physical characteristics with modern felines, such as retractable claws and a body structure adapted for hunting. Over time, this lineage diversified, giving rise to various species within the Felidae family. Around 10 million years ago, the genus Pseudaelurus appeared, which is considered a direct ancestor of both modern cats and extinct species like saber-toothed cats. The domestic cat, Felis catus, evolved much later, with evidence suggesting its domestication around 9,000 years ago in the Near East, where wildcats were drawn to human settlements due to the presence of rodents. While pinpointing the exact "first cat" is challenging due to the gradual nature of evolution, Proailurus represents the earliest identifiable link in the chain of feline ancestry, marking the beginning of a lineage that would eventually include the diverse and widespread cats we know today.