Question

Where did cats originally come from?

Answer 1

Cats are believed to have originated from the Near East, specifically regions around the Fertile Crescent, which includes parts of modern-day countries like Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. The domestication of cats is thought to have begun around 9,000 years ago when humans transitioned from a nomadic lifestyle to settled agricultural communities. As people began to store surplus grain, it attracted rodents, which in turn attracted wildcats. Both humans and cats benefitted from this relationship: humans gained a natural form of pest control, while cats benefited from a reliable food source. Over time, this led to a mutualistic relationship and the eventual domestication of cats. The species most commonly associated with domestic cats is the African wildcat (*Felis lybica*).