The Fascinating History of Cat Domestication

😺Cats have been living in close proximity to humans for thousands of years and have been valuable for pest control.

🐈Domesticated cats originated from the African wildcat, Felis silvestris lybica, and have been bred for behaviors and physical characteristics.

🌍Cats were domesticated in southwest Asia about 10,000 years ago, and again in Egypt about 3,500 years ago.

🏛️Archaeological evidence, including burials, supports the domestication of cats in ancient civilizations like Egypt and Rome.

🌟The close relationship between humans and cats has led to cats becoming one of the most popular pets, with an estimated population of 600 million worldwide.

When did human/cat companionship begin?

—Human/cat companionship dates back to around 9,500 years ago, based on the discovery of a burial with a cat in Cyprus.

What type of wildcat is the ancestor of domesticated cats?

—The African wildcat, Felis silvestris lybica, is the direct ancestor of all domesticated cats today.

How did cats become domesticated?

—Cats are believed to have been domesticated through the commensal pathway, with wild cats being attracted to human settlements by food sources.

Which ancient civilizations kept cats as pets?

—Ancient civilizations like Egypt and Rome kept cats as pets for pest control and companionship.

How many cats are there in the world?

—There is an estimated population of 600 million domesticated cats worldwide.

00:00French archaeologists discovered a high population of cats on the island of Cyprus, leading to the investigation of cat domestication.

02:53Cats were domesticated from the African wildcat, Felis silvestris lybica, and have evolved through breeding for behaviors and physical characteristics.

06:23Multiple pathways of domestication have been proposed, with the commensal pathway being the likely route for cat domestication.

08:33Archaeological evidence, including burials in Egypt and Rome, supports the domestication of cats in ancient civilizations.

07:41Cats have become one of the most popular pets worldwide, with an estimated population of 600 million.