From Battlefields to Bedside: The Journey of Ship Cats

⚓Ship cats have a long-standing history and have accompanied sailors throughout the ages, providing pest control and companionship.

🐱The domestication of cats can be traced back over 10,000 years to the Fertile Crescent and ancient Egypt, where they were revered and even mummified.

🌍Cats have traveled the world on ships, migrating from port to port, including during the time of the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages.

🧬Modern house cats share a close genetic similarity to ancient cats, with minimal selective breeding over the centuries.

🐾Despite their domestication, cats remain wild at heart, maintaining their natural behaviors and hunting instincts.

What role did ship cats play in naval history?

—Ship cats were invaluable companions to sailors, providing pest control by hunting rodents and boosting morale.

Where did the domestication of cats begin?

—The domestication of cats can be traced back to over 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent and ancient Egypt.

How have cats traveled across the world?

—Cats have traveled on ships, migrating from port to port, including during the time of the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages.

How have modern cats been bred?

—Unlike dogs, modern cats have undergone minimal selective breeding, resulting in genetic similarities to ancient cats.

Are domesticated cats truly domesticated?

—Despite their domestication, cats retain their wild instincts and behaviors, making them fundamentally wild animals.

00:06The sinking of the German battleship Bismarck served as the starting point for the history of ship cats.

03:40Most house cats today have descended from the Near Eastern or Egyptian lineage of F.s.lybica.

04:11Despite their long history with humans, cats retain their innate wild nature and independence.