People in China lived alongside 'chicken-killing tigers' long before domestic cats arrived

Live ScienceThursday, November 27, 2025 at 4:03:34 PM
NeutralScience
People in China lived alongside 'chicken-killing tigers' long before domestic cats arrived
  • Leopard cats coexisted with humans in ancient China for over 3,500 years, predating the arrival of domestic cats from Europe via the Silk Road. This finding highlights the long-standing relationship between humans and wild felines in the region.
  • The discovery of leopard cats' historical presence in China sheds light on the evolution of feline domestication and the diverse ancestry of cats, which is crucial for understanding their role in human society and ecology.
  • This narrative contrasts with recent genetic analyses revealing that domestic cats originated in North Africa and spread to Europe, suggesting a complex history of feline domestication that varies significantly across different regions.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

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