African Wild Cat :: Cat Breeds
With Genetic Science scientists are now certain that today's domestic cats are descended from the African wild cat.
African Wild Cat Some experts say (in a recently published article - 2008) that the wild cat was domesticated some 9,500 years ago. If that were true the Egyptian Mau wouldn't be the first domestic cat breed.
The Serengeti Cat is a large boned, long legged, domestic cat resembling an African wild cat called a Serval. There have been no servals used to create Serengeti Cats.
However, the popular belief is that the Egyptian Mau is an ancestor to the African Wild Cat. This belief is due to the Egyptian Mau's remarkably similar appearance to the African Wild Cats.
The African wild cat posses the same chromosome number and structure as domestic cats, and interbreeds easily with them.
Domestic cats originated from an ancestral wild species, Felis silvestris, the European and African Wild Cat. The domestic cat is now considered a separate species, named Felis catus.
It is believed that this breed descended from a spotted subspecies of the African Wild Cat domesticated by the Egypians between 4000 and 2000 BC.
The Serval (Caracal serval) is a medium-sized African wild cat. The length is 85 cm (34 in), plus 40 cm (16 in) of tail, and the shoulder height is about 53 cm (21 in). Weight can range from 9 to 20 kg (20-44 lbs).
The Egyptian Mau is the only natural, spotted, domestic breed and is believed to be a subspecies of the African wild cat. Hieroglyphics on the walls of tombs in the pyramids dating back over 4,000 years, depict a domesticated spotted cat.
The Egyptian Mau is domesticated from a spotted subspecies of the African Wild Cat
The role of the Mau in the religion, mythology, and everyday life of Egypt conveys the degree of affection and respect in which these cats were held ...
All domestic cats are thought to originate from a single ancestor, the African Wild Cat, because of the very similar tabby markings and other indications. From the genes that were provided from this ancestor, all other mutations have risen.
It is a cross between an African wild cat called the Serval and a domestic cat. Savannahs are considered one of the larger breeds of domesticated cats. Their tall and slim build gives Savannahs the appearance of greater size than their actual weight.
From there the modern wild cat developed into three main types; the European wild cat, the African wild cat and the Asiatic desert cat. The domestic cat is thought to have evolved from the African wild cat because of its tabby markings.
Mackerel tabby markings closely correspond to the patterns seen on African wild cats.
The domesticated cat descends from spotted subspecies of African wild cats. In ancient Egypt, Maus probably began domesticated life as valued rodent-catchers protecting the grain stores.
The common house cat for millions of Europeans over many generations, the European Shorthair probably descended from the African Wild cat brought north by the Romans some 2,000 years ago, or by the native European Wild Cat.
Ever since the African Wild Cat was domesticated by the ancient Egyptians, individual cats have reverted to the semiwild state. With their natural hunting instincts, they have been able to survive and establish territories and social groupings.
Paleontologists and archaeologists have determined that Miacis, a weasel-like animal, is the ancestor of cats as well as other families such as dogs, bears, raccoons, civets, and hyenas. From Miacis the African Wild Cat evolved and this is believed ...
The first Sokoke kittens in the United States were born in 1999. Genetic analysis shows several genes unknown in other domestic cats or indigenous African wild cats, so their origin remains something of a mystery.
The exact origin of the Egyptian Mau is not recorded and therefore cannot be known for certain. The Egyptian Mau is often said to be descended from African wild cats, and a descendant of the cats seen in wall paintings of Ancient Egypt.
Egyptian Maus are descendents of the African Wild Cat. From this they directly receive their spotted features and exotic good looks. They are the only naturally spotted domesticated cat and are fully endorsed by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA).
Cats sporting a coat similar to the Abyssinian can also be found in Africa, Eurasia, and Asia, including Felis Libyca, the African Wild Cat or Gloved Cat, and Felis chaus, the Swamp Cat or Jungle Cat.
 See also: Domesticated, Egyptian Mau, Behavior, Species, Bronze
|
