Cute, cuddly...lion?

It is really hard to imagine that the cute cuddly kitty you had as a child or you have now could somehow be related to the huge lion you only see at the zoos and animal shows.  There is no way your little Tabby has some of the same instincts that make a lion hunt and chase down their prey.  Well, believe it or not, she does and would probably be much more aggressive if she hadn’t been domesticated and taught how to be the sweet little house kitty she is.  Just to teach you a little something about your cat’s heritage, I will fill you in on some similarities between the two types.

Research shows that the domestic cat is included in the Felis silvestris species.  Around 4000 BCE, Egyptians domesticated cats and most believe domestic cats are derived from African wildcat populations.  Today the domestic “tabby” cat is very similar in size and appearance to its direct descendent, the African wildcat.  Here are some other general similarities.

•    The skeletons of domestic cats and wildcats are very similar, although there is much variation in skull size and shape.

•    Both domestic and feral cats are very effective predators. Domestic felines ambush or pounce upon and immobilize prey using tactics similar to those of leopards and tigers.

•    All cats are obligate carnivores and cannot survive without ingesting nutrients derived from animals.

•    Cats have only been domesticated in the sense that they are happy to live with us in the house. They maintain all of their natural instincts such as the desire to hunt and mark territory, for instance when they rub all over your furniture.

•    All felines are similar in their basic body make-up and sensory perceptions.

•    Both have similar lifespans.

•    Cats have evolved with eyes that protrude forwards from the head giving them good forward and sideways vision.

Hopefully next time you see your cat chasing birds in the lawn or dragging mice to your doorstep you will not be as shocked and understand his or her motives.