Page 11 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

WHA T IS A C A T? 9

humans attracted, and the humans gained a much-
appreciated form of pest control that lived alongside
them in their towns and villages.
Wild species of cats are naturally wary of humans, but
over time natural selection favored those cats that were
least scared of people and adaptable enough to change from
being solitary hunters to living in close proximity to humans
and other cats. By around 2000 BCE the cat had become fully
domesticated and was living in the homes of the Ancient
Egyptians as a much-loved pet that also kept rodents under
control. From Egypt the domestic cat would eventually
spread to homes in nations around the world.

Cat breeds
In the late 19th century the breeding and showing of cats WILD BEHAVIOR
began in earnest, and cat enthusiasts became known as Domestic cats display many of the same instincts as their wild relatives.
“cat fanciers.” Cat registries were established to set breed For example, they stretch frequently, to keep their muscles limber in
case they need to sprint after prey or away from danger.
standards and to store the genealogies of purebred cats.
Today, there are several international cat registries, and more
than 100 different cat breeds, though not all registries Early cat breeds were often natural breeds, typical of
recognize the same ones. Breeds are defined by characteristics certain regions of the world. These include the Maine
such as body and head shape; coat color and pattern; eye Coon (from the state of Maine) and the Turkish Van
shape and color; and temperament; as well as by unusual (from Turkey). Today, breeders understand how traits
features such as hairlessness, short tails, and folded ears. are inherited and use cats with novel characteristics to
Purebred cats have been selectively bred over many produce new breeds—for example, with curled ears. New
generations to perfect the desired characteristics of their breeds can also result from crossing domestic cats with
breed. However, it is still possible for two cats in the same wild relatives, such as the Bengal (part leopard) and
litter to be classed as different breeds, depending on which Savannah (part serval). Most pet cats are randomly bred
features they inherit from their parents. “moggies,” without any defined breed.

The African wildcat
is the closest
relative of the
domestic cat.
The Bengal breed is
the result of cross- Crossbreeding
breeding between domestic cats with
leopards and jungle cats produced
domestic cats.
the Chausie breed.

Bobcat Lynx Leopard Jungle cat African wildcat Domestic cat