Plus
White Plus Band 10+
in your
Living Room
in your
Living Room TIGER IN YOUR LIVING ROOM
Today, cats are among the most popular pets in the world. How did these brave little hunters become our friends? We are off in search of the first pet cats …
An information book collins.co.uk/collinsbigcat
76267_Cover.indd 1
Inbali Iserles 18/10/2021 12:51
in your
Living Room Contents 1 Here kitty, kitty … 2 The perfect hunter 3 Spot the leopard cat 4 Born to be wild 5 Wildcats of the woods 6 The Middle East 7 The island cat 8 Cats of the Nile 9 From hunter to house cat 10 Wildcats of the desert 11 Did cats tame themselves? Glossary Index Where did our pet cats come from?
2 6 10 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 42 44 45 46
Written by Inbali Iserles
76267_P001_048.indd 1
01/11/2021 16:42
1 Here kitty, kitty … There are 500 million pet cats around the world. That’s a lot of fluff! Today, cats are much-loved members of the family. But this was not always the case – once upon a time, all cats were wild, from majestic tigers to tiny, rusty-spotted cats. So how did these fearsome hunters become the friendly felines we know so well? We will try to solve the puzzle by looking at paintings, bones and other evidence. It’s time to sharpen our claws and step out on an adventure. We are off in search of the first pet cats …
2
76267_P001_048.indd 2
01/11/2021 16:42
Cats have made a home in our houses and in our hearts.
3
76267_P001_048.indd 3
01/11/2021 16:42
What are cats? Pet cats – also known as “domestic cats” – are part of the cat family, along with big cats like lions, cheetahs and panthers. All cats are brilliant hunters that share a common ancestor from ten to 15 million years ago. As the first human ancestor lived around four million years ago, this makes cats much older than us!
4
76267_P001_048.indd 4
01/11/2021 16:42
Furry facts The world’s biggest cats are Amur tigers. A single Amur tiger can stretch to three metres from nose to tail, and weigh up to 300 kilograms. That’s as long as a small car and as heavy as five adult humans! The world’s smallest cats are rusty-spotted cats. One rusty-spotted cat can measure as little as 50 centimetres, including the tail. Kitten-sized when fullgrown and weighing only about one kilogram, this cat could sit in the palm of your hand.
5
76267_P001_048.indd 5
01/11/2021 16:43
2 The perfect hunter What do all cats have in common? ●
Cats are carnivores: they must eat meat to survive.
●
They have excellent hearing, sight and smell – perfect for hunting.
●
They have retractable claws that they tuck away when not in use. Cheetahs are the only cats whose claws do not fully retract. The added grip helps them run faster.
●
Most wild cats are solitary – they live on their own. Lions are the only cats that live in family groups.
Pet cats have learnt to live with us.
6
76267_P001_048.indd 6
01/11/2021 16:44
What makes pet cats special? Dogs are often thought of as loyal. Pet cats are more independent than dogs, but unlike wild cats, our pet cats are not completely solitary. They live happily with humans and enjoy our company. Some will live with other cats – or even dogs!
Furry facts Scientists have discovered that most cats care if their owners are around. Cats see us as their “carers”, much as a kitten might look upon its mother.
7
76267_P001_048.indd 7
01/11/2021 16:44
Plus
White Plus Band 10+
in your
Living Room
in your
Living Room TIGER IN YOUR LIVING ROOM
Today, cats are among the most popular pets in the world. How did these brave little hunters become our friends? We are off in search of the first pet cats …
An information book collins.co.uk/collinsbigcat
76267_Cover.indd 1
Inbali Iserles 18/10/2021 12:51