A Little Cat History Through DNA Analysis

♠
Some 10,000 years ago, somewhere in the Near East, an audacious wildcat crept into one of the crude villages of early human settlers, the first to domesticate wheat and barley. There she felt safe from her many predators in the region, such as hyenas and larger cats.

The rodents that infested the settlers’ homes and granaries were sufficient prey. Seeing that she was earning her keep, the settlers tolerated her, and their children greeted her kittens with delight.

At least five females of the wildcat subspecies known as Felis silvestris lybica accomplished this delicate transition from forest to village. And from these five matriarchs all the world’s 600 million house cats are descended.

-- Nicholas Wade for The New York Times

These researchers also make a note about the cats' rather annoying independence:

Unlike other domestic animals, which were tamed by people, cats probably domesticated themselves, which could account for the haughty independence of their descendants. “The cats were adapting themselves to a new environment, so the push for domestication came from the cat side, not the human side,” Dr. Driscoll said.

They are still sort of half-wild really. I suppose we are to appreciate them for their feline beauty and grace. What an attitude!

xXx

A Little Cat History Through DNA Analysis

♠
Some 10,000 years ago, somewhere in the Near East, an audacious wildcat crept into one of the crude villages of early human settlers, the first to domesticate wheat and barley. There she felt safe from her many predators in the region, such as hyenas and larger cats.

The rodents that infested the settlers’ homes and granaries were sufficient prey. Seeing that she was earning her keep, the settlers tolerated her, and their children greeted her kittens with delight.

At least five females of the wildcat subspecies known as Felis silvestris lybica accomplished this delicate transition from forest to village. And from these five matriarchs all the world’s 600 million house cats are descended.

-- Nicholas Wade for The New York Times

These researchers also make a note about the cats' rather annoying independence:

Unlike other domestic animals, which were tamed by people, cats probably domesticated themselves, which could account for the haughty independence of their descendants. “The cats were adapting themselves to a new environment, so the push for domestication came from the cat side, not the human side,” Dr. Driscoll said.

They are still sort of half-wild really. I suppose we are to appreciate them for their feline beauty and grace. What an attitude!

xXx

Murdoch's March

♠
Rupert Murdoch's bid to attain The Wall Street Journal is going full steam ahead and seems to be all but a done deal. Paul Krugman has some choice words about this prospect.

( Krugman column )

xXx

Murdoch's March

♠
Rupert Murdoch's bid to attain The Wall Street Journal is going full steam ahead and seems to be all but a done deal. Paul Krugman has some choice words about this prospect.

( Krugman column )

xXx