Who are older: cats or dogs? - briefly
Cats are generally considered to be older than dogs in terms of domestication history. While the exact origins of both species are difficult to pinpoint due to their prehistoric timelines, evidence suggests that cats were first domesticated around 10,000 years ago, whereas dogs have a longer history dating back approximately 15,000 years.
Who are older: cats or dogs? - in detail
The debate over which species is older, cats or dogs, has been a subject of fascination for many years. To understand this, we must delve into the history and evolution of both animals.
Cats were first domesticated around 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region of the Middle East. This process began with the African wildcat (Felis lybica), which was attracted to human settlements by rodents and other small prey. Over time, humans selectively bred these cats for their desirable traits, leading to the domesticated cat we know today. The earliest evidence of cat domestication comes from a grave site in Cyprus, where a cat was buried alongside a human around 9,500 years ago, indicating a close relationship between the two species.
Dogs, on the other hand, have an even longer history of domestication. The first dogs emerged from wolves (Canis lupus) approximately 15,000 to 40,000 years ago. This process occurred independently in multiple regions around the world, including Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The earliest evidence of dog domestication comes from a grave site in Germany, where a human was buried with a dog around 14,700 years ago. Over time, dogs were selectively bred for various roles, such as hunting, herding, guarding, and companionship, leading to the vast array of breeds we see today.
In conclusion, while both cats and dogs have been integral parts of human history for thousands of years, dogs have a longer history of domestication. The earliest evidence of dog domestication predates that of cats by several thousand years, indicating that dogs are the older domesticated species.