9781422280850

The story of the domesticated cat ( Felis silvestris catus ) began with the agricultural revolution about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, when humans began storing their crops. Rats and mice posed a serious threat to the stores, and a pack of rats could mean starvation for the humans. Fortunately, cats were equally as attracted to the granaries—not for the grain but for the easy rodent hunting! People wel- comed the cats’ help in getting rid of the rodents, and, over time, the cats became less fearful of humans and relaxed around the human settlements. A combination of some kind of genetic mutation oc- curring, together with selective breeding (with the people-tolerant cats in the settlement mating with others of a similar character), meant the cat became domesticated over time. About 4,000 years ago, the Egyptians began domesticating cats more seriously, and keeping them as pets. His fortunes have waxed and waned through the ages, from being worshipped in Ancient Egypt to being per- secuted in the Middle Ages because of an association with witches, but he is now securely at the top of our list of favorite pets.

12

Cats