Everyone knows how kittens are born, but few consider where cats came from. However, no one will know 100% of the truth since there are a lot of versions. Each owner has the right to adhere to the position that he likes, considering that his pet is the fruit of evolution or a magical creature that arose from the moon. Read on to know where do cats come from.
The Scientific Theory of the Origin of Cats
Scientists are primarily concerned with any issue. They investigate each species, theory, and place of origin. They are the ones who study where cats come from. In general, the appearance of this species can be described for a very long time, starting with the origin of life, cells, and the evolution of species. But the easiest way to explain where cats came from is on the closest ancestors – wild predecessors.
- For your information! Egypt has always been considered the homeland and the first place cats began to be domesticated. This characterizes their culture, reflected in mythology and pyramid wall paintings. But it turned out that the domestication of wild cats began much earlier.
As it turned out, the oldest burial of a person with a domestic cat is not in Egypt but in Cyprus. However, research into changes in an animal during domestication is difficult to do. If we analyze the anatomical structure of animals of this genus, wild cats differ little from domesticated pets. Therefore, scientists are inclined to believe that the ancestors of people were guided more by the character of the animal, that is, by its softness and malleability to learning, a lower level of aggression than that of a wild ancestor. After all, the change in external data (selective, not evolutionary) began about 300 years ago, and the first domesticated cat appeared about 9500 years ago.
Biblical Version
The most famous passage from the biblical sources is the one that tells how cats appeared in Noah’s Ark. This is the first mention of these animals. Legend has it that they arose from the nostrils of a lion when Noah stroked it. They greatly benefited the ark since the rats multiplied quickly and could easily eat all the food supplies for people and other animals. There are practically no other references to cats in the Bible.
There are several explanations for this. Firstly, the animals themselves are rarely mentioned in the collection by the text; most often, they are associated with some rituals, sacrifices, or sins. Secondly, cats may be rarely mentioned because they are an important part of Egyptian culture. And the scripture avoids this, not to mention paganism and the rituals of other religions.
Unconventional Versions of Where Cats Came From on Earth
The theory that cats came from the moon is quite popular, and many people believe in it for several reasons.
First, there was no mention of a cat before the appearance of Egyptian sources. And this is strange; if they began to domesticate them 9500 years ago, then there were already certain sources of information. This could be, for example, a wall painting. Later, the writing was among the Sumerians, Indians, and ancient peoples. But none of these ancient written sources contain a single word about cats, yet their domestication was actively occurring. Therefore, there is no early information about where they come from.
Second, scientists have not pinpointed exactly how they create the purring sound and why they need it. They have no special organ for this; it is a quick spasm of the larynx muscle. But for communication, they have completely different sounds and are not purring. Therefore, some people agree that such sounds are feedback from space and a method of transmitting information.
Thirdly, cats have incredible vitality. No wonder they say that they have nine lives. But how can such a small creature, which does not have special physical strength, withstand so much and remain alive in any situation? Why does nature so conceive it that they should be so tenacious? This feature suggests that they are unearthly creatures, making you wonder who the cats came from.
History of the Domestication of the Wild Cat The Brown Cat
It is the ancestor from whom domestic cats originated. In appearance, she is the closest to modern pets. This process has been beneficial to both animals and humans. When civilization gradually began to develop, people had to think about food supplies since the next season could be unlucky. Rats could grind cereals and grains. We tried to use snakes and ferrets, but cats were the best for this task. For those, this situation was also beneficial: there is always something to eat, thanks to the owner.
Over time, cats began to change a lot due to domestication. The changes occurred at the genetic level, more associated with the psyche and the nervous system. The character of the pets changed, and the predator’s aggressiveness and strong disposition disappeared, allowing people to domesticate cats further. Because of this, it was difficult for scientists to investigate all these changes since they did not concern appearance but only behavior.
Dr. Jenifer Miona is a highly skilled and compassionate veterinarian based in Ireland. With a passion for animal health and wellbeing, she has dedicated her career to providing the highest standard of veterinary care to pets and their families.
After completing her veterinary degree at the University of Dublin, Dr. Miona went on to specialize in small animal medicine. She has since gained extensive experience in all areas of veterinary care, including routine check-ups, surgical procedures, and emergency treatments.
In her clinic, Dr. Miona is known for her gentle and compassionate approach to patient care. She takes the time to listen to the concerns of pet owners and develops personalized treatment plans to meet the unique needs of each animal.
Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Miona is active in the veterinary community and stays up-to-date with the latest advances in veterinary medicine through ongoing education and professional development. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the Irish Veterinary Association and the European College of Small Animal Medicine.
Outside of her work as a veterinarian, Dr. Miona is an avid animal lover and enjoys spending time with her own pets. She also volunteers at local animal shelters and is committed to promoting animal welfare through community outreach and education.
