Commentary
Meghan Bartels shares domestication information from two recently published studies that offer new insights into how wild cats settled into life alongside humans. Both findings suggest truly domesticated cats arose far later than previously believed; perhaps as late as 2,000 years ago.
A quote from Claudio Ottoni, PhD, describes early cats as a complex and independent species, “They were not just staying with humans . . . they would still go around and mix with local wildcats.” The description is relevant today as free-range/barnyard cats still exhibit the “go around and mix” behaviors which can challenge zoonotic disease management <Link>.
Bartels touches on climate and agriculture changes, along with increased food availability from the cats’ perspective. The mutually beneficial cat-human existence was not correlated to humans becoming less nomadic. Agrarian cultures would have also increased safe shelter options for cats and their young.
Source: Scientific American, November 27, 2025. Link.
INSIGHTS: The feline domestication discussion may shed light on what we experience as bobcats, foxes and raccoons continue to infiltrate suburban habitats <Link>.
Also see: Search Results for: free-range cats, AHD Archives. Link.
Image: Link.