What affects us affects cats
For many years, I and others, have referred to research and a nice archaeological photograph from the island of Cyprus (see below) which established – it was thought -that the North African wildcat was first domesticated about 9,500 years ago. New research referred to in a Times article (‘Tiddles turned up 4,000 years later …
Not Just Mousers: How Rituals, Not Rodents, Domesticated Cats. Recent genetic and archaeological research has reshaped our understanding of cat domestication, positioning ancient Egypt—not early farming communities—as the cradle of the human-cat bond. Contrary to the long-held belief that cats were domesticated primarily for pest control in agrarian societies, new evidence suggests that religious …
Being cared for by humans significantly influences the inherited social structure of domestic cats (Felis catus), shaping their behaviors and interactions in ways that differ from their wild ancestors. Here are some key effects: 1. Increased Social Tolerance 2. Reduced Need for Territorial Defense 3. Retention of Kitten-Like Behaviors (Neoteny) 4. Modified Communication Patterns …
One can do a lot worse than quote Dr Desmond Morris who I have already briefly quoted in the infographic. Here is the full text: Religious bigots have often employed the cunning device of converting other people’s heroes into villains, to suit their own purposes. In this way, the ancient horned God that protected …
First intact sabre-toothed cub unearthed from Siberian permafrost. Infographic. by Michael Broad Here is a short summary of the sabre-toothed cat from internet research: The sabre-toothed cat, often referred to as the “saber-tooth tiger,” is one of the most iconic prehistoric predators, famed for its impressive pair of elongated canine teeth. Belonging to the …
The BBC video on the BBC website about the shipping of 19.5 tons of mummified cats (180,000 mummies) from Egypt to Liverpool, England in 1890 is excellent but for one omission. It does not refer to a very important part of the story; how so many mummified cats came into existence. Where exactly did …
Mr Noah Webster in his Websters Dictionary published in the United States, includes a definition of the domestic cat which makes for uncomfortable reading for most cat owners or even non-cat owners. Some Americans will probably agree with the definition! (✿◡‿◡) Fair enough, but I am afraid that they’ll be wrong as was Mr …
The similarity of all cat species from the modest domestic cat to the massive Siberian tiger, in terms of their anatomy and behaviour, indicates that through eons of evolution, this species of predator has been perfected. There is no more work for evolution to do. This is the thought of an evolutionary biologist, Anjali …
