Domestication
It was first believed that the domestication of cats occurred 5,000 years ago, but the discovery of a mummified cat has scientists considering the possibility of cats living alongside humans as far back as 9,500 years in ancient Egypt. However the species is believed to be as old as 20 million years. Some speculate that it was the African Wild Cat that learned to live with humans and became the furry friends we have today.
There are two theories behind the domestication of cats. Some believe they were domesticated just like every other animal, deliberately by humans, while many others are confident that the domestication of cats was a unique path only traveled by cats.
Over the course of history, humans were migratory animals, it wasn't till recently, relatively speaking, that humans began living in one place. When this happened rats were attracted to the constant supplie of food humans provided. Since rats were cat's main source of food, cats stuck around . Humans realized the cats would keep the rats from scurrying around their homes, so they welcomed them. The cats simply tolerated the humans. Because of this cats are believed to be the only animals that domesticated themselves.
Over the course of history, humans were migratory animals, it wasn't till recently, relatively speaking, that humans began living in one place. When this happened rats were attracted to the constant supplie of food humans provided. Since rats were cat's main source of food, cats stuck around . Humans realized the cats would keep the rats from scurrying around their homes, so they welcomed them. The cats simply tolerated the humans. Because of this cats are believed to be the only animals that domesticated themselves.
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Behavior
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A cat's behavior is nothing like a dog's. It is easy to teach a dog to sit and stay on command, but cats are different. Cats are quick learners and can figure out how to solve problems. However they are harder to teach tricks because they are independent animals.
Cats don't like change, not in their routine, not in their habitat. Big changes can cause a cat to become upset. For example, every time I have brought a new cat into the house I experience the same behavior from all the cats. They are very cautious when around the new cat. They will sneak up to get a peak and sniff of him, then when notised they hiss and back away. After a few weeks they are all friends. When a cat is upset in your house no one will be happy. Their attitudes can change and become agressive or they may just go and hide by themselves or they might start urinating everywhere except where they are suppose to.
Cats don't like change, not in their routine, not in their habitat. Big changes can cause a cat to become upset. For example, every time I have brought a new cat into the house I experience the same behavior from all the cats. They are very cautious when around the new cat. They will sneak up to get a peak and sniff of him, then when notised they hiss and back away. After a few weeks they are all friends. When a cat is upset in your house no one will be happy. Their attitudes can change and become agressive or they may just go and hide by themselves or they might start urinating everywhere except where they are suppose to.
When cats are getting irritated at you, like when you disturb them during one of their many cat naps of the day, they will lay their ears back and start swish their tail around that lets you know that if you don't stop the claws will come out. When they are really mad they will hiss and spit. When they are getting ready to fight they will arch their backs and stiffen up. their hairs will stand up making them look larger then they are. They will drop into a crouch with their ears back, tail lashing, baring their teeth and their claws ready to go.
However if you treat a cat well you may never see them get more than irritated. Instead you'd see them affectionately rub their head against you and lick you. They will purr loudly and demain you attention when you are trying to work by laying on your computer or papers wanting you to pet them.
In the wild cats behavior is different. They live in groups, similar to a pride of lions in that there is only one male, who mates with all the females. Individual cats mark smaller areas of the territory as their own. The males live by themselves while the females stay together and take turns hunting and watching kits to prevent the male from killing them. Because of this female cats are much more territorial.
