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Human civilization began in the Fertile Crescent, a section of the Middle East in the area of what is now roughly Jordan, Iraq and Turkey. This is where grains were first grown from wild stock and slowly domesticated through selection to become high-yield crops.
The first farmers, finding that they had surpluses, stored the extra wheat, which had two historically interesting effects. Most importantly, surplus food meant that not everyone had to spend their time food gathering, and for the first time some were able to pursue other forms of labor, building a class of tradesmen, scholars, priests, and later warriors to protect the fields (and take over other peoples fields). It also meant that people could, for the first time, live in the same place year-round and not run out of food.
In short, extra food made towns possible. But it also drew rats, mice and other rodents, giving them a great place to live year-round.
There is a breed of small wild cat native to that area called the Desert Cat (Felis silvestris lybica). These cats took to hanging around the grain stores to catch the abundant rodents. Over time, those with a predisposition toward being friendly moved closer to human habitation, and eventually moved in and took over. Through the centuries these cats, valued for their ratting, evolved through interbreeding into a breed of their own (Felis catus). A recent genetic study has shown that all domestic cats trace back to perhaps as few as five individuals of F. silvestris that lived in the Middle East about 9,500 years ago.
Cats are known to prey on over 1,000 species, including snakes and scorpions. They are now thought to be the most popular pets in history, with an estimated 600 million living with their humans all over the world. In most rural areas they still pursue their self-chosen careers of helping their humans combat the rodent hordes.
What else can I help you with?
Are cats cousins to wild cats?
Yes, domestic cats (Felis catus) are distant cousins of wild cats such as the African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica). These wild cats are the ancestors of domestic cats and they share a common ancestor. Domestic cats were domesticated from wild cats around 9,000 years ago.
What are wild domestic cats called?
Feral cats.
What breed is first lion or bob cat?
Lion. Over time some became smaller and less furocious, Bob Cats were made and some developed into wild cats (size and shape of Domestic will bigger claws and teeth) and some wild cats developed into domestic.
What are cats reladed to?
In means of domestic cats, they are related the the wild cats.
Can domestic cats breed with wild cats?
Yes, domestic cats can breed with some wild cat species, such as the African wildcat. The offspring of such a mating are known as hybrids.
What are the similarities between wild cats and domestic cats?
Wild cats are more wild and they strive to find food by themselves, they are also more independant.
What is a wild counterpart for a house cat?
A wild counterpart for a house cat is the African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica), which is believed to be the ancestor of domestic cats. They are similar in appearance and behavior to domestic cats but are strictly wild animals.
Why do wild cats avoid humans?
They are probably scared of humans. Unlike domestic cats, wild cats are not raised with humans. Hope this helped!
How many types of cats are there living in the wild?
There are 36 species of wild cats and one species of domestic cat.
What are the characteristics of a half domestic half wild cat, and how do they differ from fully domestic or fully wild cats?
A half domestic half wild cat, also known as a hybrid cat, typically exhibits a mix of traits from both domestic and wild ancestors. These cats may have a more independent and territorial nature compared to fully domestic cats, while also retaining some of the social and trainable qualities of domestic cats. They may have unique physical characteristics, such as larger size or distinctive coat patterns, that set them apart from fully domestic cats. In terms of behavior, hybrid cats may display a combination of hunting instincts and playfulness, making them more active and potentially challenging to care for compared to fully domestic cats.
What kind of wild cats live in Greece?
The only cat indigenous to Greece is the wild cat. There are thousands of cats living in the country, but they are all domestic cats.
Is a toyger a wild animal?
Toygers can be domestic house cats. Although they are a new breed. I'm not sure if it's a wild animal or not but it is domestic.
