It is difficult for modern person to present that such domestic and tame animal as a cat, once was wild and predatory. However the fact remains. In immemorial times of a cat, as well as dog, were not cultivated and led the isolated life in the conditions of the wild nature. But later, with division of labor of the person, need for domestication of these animals ripened.
Evolution of the person happened gradually, but together with people also wild animals were modified. More than 10 thousand years ago cats in a literal sense walked in itself, independently getting themselves livelihood. However to origin and development of ancient agriculture there were changes not only in habitual tenor of life of the person, but also animals.
Egyptian gods and cats
So, it is considered that the first domestic cats appeared about 10 thousand years ago in Ancient Egypt with transition of the person to settled lifestyle. People began to build pioneer settlements and dwellings. In this regard need for construction of storages for food, in particular, of barns for grain and grain ripened. Development of agriculture led to increase in harvests of cereals. In barns small rodents, mice and rats who worked great mischief to grain stocks began to propagate.
Ancient Egyptians made observation that rodents are afraid of wild cats. It pushed them to alluring cats in barns as these animals did not feed on grain. As a result, cats began to catch and destroy mice and rats in barns, keeping a harvest of Egyptians. In gratitude the residents of Ancient Egypt began to feed up cats, taming and cultivating them thereby.
The image of cats was cut on rock paintings in caves, they were trained and taken on hunting.
For such benefit the Egyptians brought cats to the level of sacred animals, in every possible way indulging their reproduction. These animals even began to be protected the law. To kill cats it was forbidden and punished by the most terrible punishment.
From the wild nature to a homeAfter cats let in the house, and they completely acquired the status of pets. In the Asian countries of these animals esteemed not less thanks to their ability to protect stocks of products from eating by rodents. In England these animals became pets, after the Foggy Albion the passion for cats comprehended both France, and Italy. In each country tried to remove the breed, and different types were at different times appreciated. So, in the 16th century, sleek-haired cats were popular that spoke simply: Europe pined with a heat of nearly 8 years in a row, the allergy to dust, down and animal wool comprehended practically everyone. In the 18th century, on the contrary, the fashion for fluffy Persians and little shaggy individuals who quite often accompanied ladies at balls and receptions came.
In China the long centuries observed purity of breeds. Some time was forbidden to be crossed different cats the imperial decree.
In Asia and Europe the domestic cats delivered from Egypt began to be crossed to the local relatives that led to emergence of their new breeds. Now about 200 species of domestic cats are scientists worldwide.