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The Cat Did Not Walk by Himself

By NewsDude , Newser Staff

Posted Jun 29, 2007 6:53 AM CDT

(Newser) – Unlike most animals who were domesticated by man, cats, you cat owners will not be surprised to learn, domesticated themselves. A study published in Science concludes that some 12,000 years ago cats, attracted by mice, who were themselves attracted by grain which man had just figured out how to cultivate, decided to settle down with us.

Unlike many domestic species, which were domesticated on several occasions in several locations, all cats are descended from the species Felis sylvestris. And that process of domestication began in the Middle East at the dawn of human civilization.

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Pets Helped Humans Evolve

Interspecies connection is 'very deep and very old'

Like eHarmony, Only for Kitties

Shelters using Feline-ality program to match cats to owners

House Cat Hisstory Traced to 5 Mideast Matriarchs

Felines chose domestic life 10,000 years ago

Cat With 26 Toes Helps Save Shelter

Daniel's odd feet has brought in $50,000 and counting

Revealed: The True Story of Willow the Cat

Stray was picked up on ski trip, flown to NYC

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The Cat Did Not Walk by Himself

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

pets • evolution • domestication • cat • animal

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Pets Helped Humans Evolve

Interspecies connection is 'very deep and very old'

Like eHarmony, Only for Kitties

Shelters using Feline-ality program to match cats to owners

House Cat Hisstory Traced to 5 Mideast Matriarchs

Felines chose domestic life 10,000 years ago

Cat With 26 Toes Helps Save Shelter

Daniel's odd feet has brought in $50,000 and counting

Revealed: The True Story of Willow the Cat

Stray was picked up on ski trip, flown to NYC

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?