From ancient Egyptians to today’s internet users, people have always
loved their cats.
In the U.S. alone, cats reign over about 45.3 million households. There
are at least 45 domestic breeds, which differ widely in features such as
coat color, tail length, hair texture, and temperament, according to the
Cat Fancier’s Association.
The Maine Coon is the largest, with males reaching an average of 3.5
feet long. The smallest breed is the Singapura, native to Singapore,
with adult females weighing as little as four pounds. One of the most
unusual-looking cats is the Sphynx, a mostly hairless cat known for
being robust and intelligent.
How Kitty Origins ?
People began to domesticate cats in the Fertile Crescent about 10,000
years ago, according to DNA research. Modern-day cats descended from a
subspecies of African wildcat, Felis silvestris lybica,
which today is the most common and widespread wildcat. (Read more about little-known small wildcats.)
Thousands of years ago, these wildcats were likely drawn to human
settlements and their plentiful mice and food scraps.
People realized these rodent catchers helpful to have
around, and eventually the two species began living together. Later,
people began to bring felines aboard ships as they traveled the world.
(Read about house cat ancestors’ remains found in Polish caves.)
Another, independent foray into cat domestication occurred in China
about 5,000 years ago with another wildcat species the leopard cat.
Since domestic cats today aren’t related to leopard cats, the harmony
doesn’t seem to have lasted.
Reproduction
Females reach sexual maturity at just four months old and go into heat
several times a year. Gestation lasts about 64 days, with an average
litter size of four kittens. Young are usually weaned at two months old
and grow rapidly, reaching adult size by the time they’re 10 months to a
year old.
One litter of kittens can have multiple fathers, a
phenomenon more likely in city cats due to crowding and lower aggression
among males.
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