What would cats be like now if they were never domesticated?
If cats had never been domesticated, their lives and roles in ecosystems worldwide would likely be vastly different from the familiar, often pampered pets we know today.
Historically, the domestication of cats began thousands of years ago, primarily as a mutual relationship for pest control. Without this shift towards cohabitation with humans, cats would remain wholly wild, their evolution continuing to be solely influenced by natural selection rather than human preferences.
This undomesticated existence would mean a life more centered on survival and adaptation to various environments without the artificial selection for traits that appeal to human companionship. Wild cats would be more uniformly adept at hunting and more cautious of humans, exhibiting a wider range of natural behaviors closely aligned with their feline ancestors like the African wildcat, from which domestic cats are descended.
In a world without domestication, the biodiversity of cats could be more pronounced, as various species would evolve independently to adapt to their specific habitats. Without human intervention in their breeding, the genetic pool of cats would remain diverse, potentially leading to a broader array of physical and behavioral adaptations that enhance their survival in different environments.
This genetic diversity could be a boon for their resilience against diseases and changing climate conditions. Moreover, without the influence of humans spreading domestic cats globally, native species of small wild cats in different regions might thrive without the competition and hybridization pressures brought by domesticated varieties.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The BURNER * to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.