African Wild Cat

African Wild Cat With Genetic Science scientists are now certain that today's domestic cats are descended from the African wild cat.

African Wild Cat The African Wild Cat is generally lighter coloured than the European Wild Cat and has two main colour forms: steely grey (forest forms) and greyish tan (arid regions).

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.

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).

It is believed to have originated from the African Wild Cat (Felis sylvestris lybica) and the European Wild Cat (Felis sylvestris sylvestris). Both of these wild cats have a pale, striped tabby pattern.

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.

However, the popular belief is that the Egyptian Mau is a descendent of the African Wild Cat. This belief is due to the Egyptian Mau's remarkably similar appearance to the African Wild Cats.

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.

It is thought that Egyptian Maus are descended from species of the African Wild Cat. In that culture, the cats were worshiped, protected by laws and mummified.

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.

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.

Facts: « Date of Origin ~ 1950's « Place of Origin ~ Egypt « Came From ~ African wild cat ...

the Egyptian word for cat) has been clearly identified in the artwork of the ancient Egyptians, leaving no question in the minds of many experts that the Egyptian Mau is indeed the cat domesticated from a spotted subspecies of the African Wild Cat by ...

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.

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: Domestic, Spotted, Litter, Siamese, Domesticated