Who are the ancestors of cats? They and dogs share the same ancestor!
Who are the ancestors of cats? They and dogs share the same ancestor!
Have you ever wondered where your furry little kittens come from? What kind of connection do they have with us humans? You may know that cats are independent animals, with independent personalities and dislike socializing, but you may not know that cats and dogs actually have a common ancestor!
Common Ancestor: Miacis
A stunning discovery revealed the secret of cats and dogs: they both originated from an ancient creature called "Miacis." Miacis, also known as "small-toothed beast," is an extinct mammal that lived about 50 to 40 million years ago.
Miacis was a large-bodied animal with a long tail and short legs, and it usually lived in trees. Scientists discovered two molar teeth of Miacis in Belgium. By analyzing the teeth, jaw and ankle bones, they drew a reconstruction of Miacis, vividly showing the appearance and living environment of this ancient creature.
From common ancestor to parting ways
However, over time, environmental changes have led to the evolution of Miacis in different directions. Some Miacis evolved into the ancestors of cats, while others evolved into the ancestors of canines, and from then on, cats and dogs began their own evolutionary paths, parting ways.
Cat Evolution: From Proailurus to Domestic Cat
About 40 to 22.5 million years ago, a creature more similar to modern cats evolved from Miacis - "Proailurus." Proailurus was smaller in size, with a cat-like head shape, living in trees or on the ground, with a vigilant personality. Proailurus is believed to be a close relative of modern wild cats.
The domestication of cats was relatively late, around 9,500 years ago. Unlike dogs, which were domesticated by humans 20 to 50,000 years ago, cats were attracted to human settlements during the human hunter-gatherer period, because they could find food and safety there.
Cats and dogs: Shared love and misunderstandings
Although cats and dogs have a common ancestor, they differ dramatically in personality and how they interact with humans. Dogs are usually loyal, dependent on their owners, while cats are more independent, self-sufficient, and enjoy solitude and freedom.
Many people think that cats are "traitors" because they don't express their love as enthusiastically as dogs, but in fact, cats also love their owners deeply. They may express their love with gentle rubs, call out to their owners with soft meows, they just express their love in their own way.
Conclusion
Cats and dogs, these two seemingly completely different species, share a common ancestor. Although they parted ways during their long evolutionary journey, they have both forged deep bonds with humans. Whether you are a cat lover or a dog lover, cherish your companionship with them and enjoy the warmth and joy they bring.
Have you ever wondered where your furry little kittens come from? What kind of connection do they have with us humans? You may know that cats are independent animals, with independent personalities and dislike socializing, but you may not know that cats and dogs actually have a common ancestor!
Common Ancestor: Miacis
A stunning discovery revealed the secret of cats and dogs: they both originated from an ancient creature called "Miacis." Miacis, also known as "small-toothed beast," is an extinct mammal that lived about 50 to 40 million years ago.
Miacis was a large-bodied animal with a long tail and short legs, and it usually lived in trees. Scientists discovered two molar teeth of Miacis in Belgium. By analyzing the teeth, jaw and ankle bones, they drew a reconstruction of Miacis, vividly showing the appearance and living environment of this ancient creature.
From common ancestor to parting ways
However, over time, environmental changes have led to the evolution of Miacis in different directions. Some Miacis evolved into the ancestors of cats, while others evolved into the ancestors of canines, and from then on, cats and dogs began their own evolutionary paths, parting ways.
Cat Evolution: From Proailurus to Domestic Cat
About 40 to 22.5 million years ago, a creature more similar to modern cats evolved from Miacis - "Proailurus." Proailurus was smaller in size, with a cat-like head shape, living in trees or on the ground, with a vigilant personality. Proailurus is believed to be a close relative of modern wild cats.
The domestication of cats was relatively late, around 9,500 years ago. Unlike dogs, which were domesticated by humans 20 to 50,000 years ago, cats were attracted to human settlements during the human hunter-gatherer period, because they could find food and safety there.
Cats and dogs: Shared love and misunderstandings
Although cats and dogs have a common ancestor, they differ dramatically in personality and how they interact with humans. Dogs are usually loyal, dependent on their owners, while cats are more independent, self-sufficient, and enjoy solitude and freedom.
Many people think that cats are "traitors" because they don't express their love as enthusiastically as dogs, but in fact, cats also love their owners deeply. They may express their love with gentle rubs, call out to their owners with soft meows, they just express their love in their own way.
Conclusion
Cats and dogs, these two seemingly completely different species, share a common ancestor. Although they parted ways during their long evolutionary journey, they have both forged deep bonds with humans. Whether you are a cat lover or a dog lover, cherish your companionship with them and enjoy the warmth and joy they bring.
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