Why We Have Cats as Pets: The History of Feline Domestication

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  • Опубліковано 15 чер 2024
  • Over 25% of the households on the planet own a cat. But how did the widespread domestication of felines come to be? Most people give ancient Egypt credit for the domestication of cats-but that's not entirely true! Join Hank Green for a fun kitty-centered episode of SciShow!
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    Sources:
    www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/0...
    www.sciencemag.org/news/2013/1...
    www.pnas.org/content/111/1/116
    www.smithsonianmag.com/history...
    www.pnas.org/content/111/48/17...
    www.sciencemag.org/news/2014/1...
    www.slate.com/articles/health_...
    www.livescience.com/48696-orig...
    science.sciencemag.org/content...
    journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
    Images:
    Egyptian Tomb Carvings: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
    Bastet:commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
    Fertile Crescent: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
    African Wild Cat: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
    Wild Cat 2: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
    Leopard Cat: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
    Leopard Cat Night: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,2 тис.

  • @PBNrandom
    @PBNrandom 7 років тому +1129

    I guess this also explains why cats love to bring us dead mice. "Here, human. Here's the rat that's been eating your grains... allegedly, since I see no grains around here."

    • @kingpopaul
      @kingpopaul 7 років тому +30

      And kills thousands of small things and birds, hastening their extinction? ( humans are the most to blame but cats aren't helping)

    • @yasminberrytic6157
      @yasminberrytic6157 7 років тому +3

      lol

    • @descai10
      @descai10 7 років тому +106

      +kingpopaul
      Cats mostly hunt mice and moles, birds are much harder prey.
      Mice breed like.... mice, they are clearly nowhere near extinction and it would be very difficult for them to be.
      Also, cats bring us dead mice as presents, as if to share it with us, it's a sign of affection and respect. I recommend you don't act rude or mean to the cat for bringing you it, it truly thought of it as a gift.

    • @kingpopaul
      @kingpopaul 7 років тому +19

      Name Just look up actual research on the estimated impacts of cats on bird before saying this is negligible.

    • @spindash64
      @spindash64 7 років тому +53

      kingpopaul
      Okay, fair enough with the birds, but let's be honest: it's not like the cats will listen anyway if we tell them not to hunt those birds

  • @JorneDeSmedt
    @JorneDeSmedt 7 років тому +2626

    Are you sure cats didn't domesticate us?
    They do seem to enjoy making us do tricks, like opening doors, even though they don't really want to go through.

    • @Lucy-ng7cw
      @Lucy-ng7cw 7 років тому +94

      They do, they just like to patrol back and forth through their territory

    • @mitchellkleckner5203
      @mitchellkleckner5203 7 років тому +56

      Look up toxoplasmosis's effect on humans and the theory that via toxoplasmosis, cats did, in a way, "domesticate" humans. It's a very interesting concept with plenty to back it up.

    • @TheK.E.
      @TheK.E. 7 років тому +8

      Of course! I can't believe I've never thought about that

    • @eustacia03
      @eustacia03 7 років тому +55

      A few years back Hank made a video on vlogbrothers about the domestication of horses and one thing he said really stuck with me - this idea that it is impossible for us to change the animal without the animal also changing us.

    • @NicholasAlm
      @NicholasAlm 7 років тому +61

      my cat is the biggest jerk like that. She scratches at any closed door and as soon as you open it she walks away with that look "hehe just made you open a door"..... grrrr!

  • @rhysthurin6098
    @rhysthurin6098 7 років тому +1690

    Dog says: "These people feed me, care for me, love me. They must be gods."
    Cat says: "These people feed me, care for me, love me. I must be a god."

    • @lisacampbell8588
      @lisacampbell8588 6 років тому +79

      LOL!
      But seriously, my cat isn't at all like that - He's far too affectionate and clingy. I've only known one cat who seemed to think she owned the world. :P

    • @danielried447
      @danielried447 5 років тому +9

      So true

    • @Messerschmidt_Me-262
      @Messerschmidt_Me-262 5 років тому +14

      And that's why I'm a dog person

    • @beginned2389
      @beginned2389 5 років тому +3

      @Jay Joshi yh tru

    • @ranrancrabgrabber
      @ranrancrabgrabber 5 років тому +13

      i’ve read this same comment on every cat video i’ve watched today can u ppl get new material

  • @imissmyoldchannel
    @imissmyoldchannel 7 років тому +239

    "cats domesticated themselves" that sounds like a cat's way of being 😂😂

    • @user-qx1om2wj1h
      @user-qx1om2wj1h 5 років тому +15

      Cat: you don't domesticate me! , I domesticate me!

    • @kathryngeeslin9509
      @kathryngeeslin9509 4 роки тому +3

      @@user-qx1om2wj1h partly, anyway. The degree of domestication supports the notion of self domestication.

    • @JoolsUK
      @JoolsUK 11 місяців тому +1

      @@kathryngeeslin9509Yes ie you feed me, you keep me warm, you open doors for me, you deflea me, you stroke me. Cat purrs, meows, generally comes and goes as wants, catch mice.

  • @lauracorum9775
    @lauracorum9775 6 років тому +130

    My cat domesticated my dog. She hissed at him which hurt his feelings so he sat to show he was a good boy. He's a lumbering pitbull lab mix. She barely reaches a ft long.

  • @SheosMan117
    @SheosMan117 7 років тому +1745

    So, cats have always plotted world domination?

    • @massimookissed1023
      @massimookissed1023 7 років тому +96

      Oh yeah. They even paved their way to power using mind-altering brain slugs.

    • @stanmcserr8576
      @stanmcserr8576 7 років тому +86

      I said this many times; I welcome our Feline overlords.

    • @SnoopyDoofie
      @SnoopyDoofie 7 років тому +49

      Yes, but us dogs are fighting against them to restore the balance to the force.

    • @chickenballs-balls
      @chickenballs-balls 7 років тому +28

      They own the internet, don't tell them what you have realized!

    • @MyRareLife
      @MyRareLife 7 років тому +28

      Omg, yes! Bow down and give them all the treats!

  • @mrexists5400
    @mrexists5400 7 років тому +763

    "Where Do Domestic Cats Come From?"well when a mommy domestic cat and daddy domestic cat love each other very much....

    • @ethanoux1532
      @ethanoux1532 7 років тому +94

      Recon WB storks deliver the kitten. Then the parents kill it.

    • @gunkshunter2519
      @gunkshunter2519 6 років тому +10

      Ethanoux, That is dark.

    • @nsagoogle9581
      @nsagoogle9581 6 років тому +8

      They dont love each other at all the try to kill each other during and after lol

    • @radioboys8986
      @radioboys8986 6 років тому +2

      thank you

    • @humanistreason
      @humanistreason 6 років тому +5

      They make a lot of noise

  • @tylerm1538
    @tylerm1538 7 років тому +472

    They came from the stars - carl Sagan

  • @deejayslowmotion6428
    @deejayslowmotion6428 4 роки тому +75

    Cats are great at pest control that's a fact!! My cat even guards my ducks from rat attacks, and he'll never harm my ducks in doing so.. He takes his job very seriously and thanks to him my duck is now giving birth to numerous ducklings

  • @Hyperian
    @Hyperian 7 років тому +1486

    cats came first, then humans evolved to serve them.

    • @dannygjk
      @dannygjk 7 років тому +10

      lmao, it's probably correct that cats came before us.

    • @zjuvergaur
      @zjuvergaur 7 років тому +14

      Referring to our current "human form" (homo sapiens sapiens) .. yeah , they did.
      If you want to go compare it to our ancestry then i really can't say..

    • @ValaAssistant
      @ValaAssistant 7 років тому +21

      ALL HAIL THE CATS! WORSHIP US!

    • @matilda434
      @matilda434 7 років тому +26

      they just keep us around for free food

    • @1121sabre
      @1121sabre 7 років тому +21

      our overlords are grooming us

  • @monsieurbernoulli8101
    @monsieurbernoulli8101 7 років тому +977

    Get yourself cats by taming ocelots, which can be found in jungle biomes with any kind of raw fish.

    • @exquisitesquid4423
      @exquisitesquid4423 7 років тому +15

      Monsieur Bernoulli AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAA

    • @hussainattai4638
      @hussainattai4638 7 років тому +80

      And don't forget to have them laying around your home to scare away unwanted guests.

    • @ahtzee9078
      @ahtzee9078 7 років тому +66

      Monsieur Bernoulli don't forget u have to stay still when u see the ocelot while holding the fish.

    • @MyIpadMail
      @MyIpadMail 7 років тому +19

      +Ahtzee Gaming you can't cook it in a furnace

    • @sephimaru2198
      @sephimaru2198 7 років тому +18

      Ocelot? ... Ocelotte?
      "Ah, dear little Ocelotte. Where have you gone? Are you hiding from me? Come out, come out, don't be afraid."

  • @drink15
    @drink15 7 років тому +112

    I had a cat in 1996, a few years before 2001.

  • @rydaddy2867
    @rydaddy2867 7 років тому +37

    Cats: cute, cuddly, affectionate little fur-balls with razors hidden in their feet...

    • @Network126
      @Network126 4 роки тому +1

      Between their little bean toes lol

  • @IMVADER2
    @IMVADER2 7 років тому +32

    That's actually really cool to know that not only did they do it to themselves, but on two separate occasions. Pretty cool!

  • @thegardenofeatin5965
    @thegardenofeatin5965 4 роки тому +16

    I'm pretty sure the first cat looked at humans and thought "Yeah, sure. These guys look like they'll invent the cardboard box some day."

  • @mistformsquirrel
    @mistformsquirrel 7 років тому +106

    My cats are super-lazy. We have two cats, and yet *somehow* still managed to have a mouse get into our house last winter and set up shops juuust out of reach in the walls. Cats did not care

    • @DannyBZ9
      @DannyBZ9 5 років тому +2

      Ya odd my cat gets birds and mice

    • @pemawangmo2145
      @pemawangmo2145 5 років тому +3

      What my cats go absolute crazy when they see a bird or a mouse

    • @user-qx1om2wj1h
      @user-qx1om2wj1h 5 років тому +5

      Your cats have domesticated you.

    • @kazemizu
      @kazemizu 4 роки тому +1

      Why would it hunt mice if you already give it food??

    • @arikakarin2323
      @arikakarin2323 4 роки тому

      Plot twist 😂

  • @complex314i
    @complex314i Рік тому +15

    I currently have a pet cat with the behavior abnormality that likely gave rise to the first generation domestic cats.
    A hotel in my area has a population of feral cats for rodent control. There are abundant signs explaining the purpose of the cats. All guests area instructed to not interact with them. Even if a guest tried, these cats wanted nothing to do with them.
    But one cat was very different, and hotel management quickly decided they needed to find her a different home. This kitten was fascinated by Humans. As soon as she was old enough to explore on her own, this kitten herself initiated contact with any human she could without a trace of fear. She seemed to be fascinated by humans.
    Note: It is possible that this cat had some human contact as a very young kitten, becoming accustome to humans, it is unlikely. If this were the case, some or all of her siblings would have become socialized as well. None of her siblings were in any way interested in interacting with humans.

  • @jakestockton4808
    @jakestockton4808 7 років тому +420

    So, basically, cats domesticated us...

    • @NickCombs
      @NickCombs 7 років тому +31

      Jake Stockton, no wonder they act like they own the place XD

    • @jakestockton4808
      @jakestockton4808 7 років тому +3

      ***** Didn't hear it. Now go back to trollville.

    • @Vulcapyro
      @Vulcapyro 7 років тому +1

      b-but that isn't trolling

    • @jakestockton4808
      @jakestockton4808 7 років тому +1

      Vulcapyro I thought about it after I wrote it, and just left it up. My reasoning was that someone who insults is trolling. 95% of the time, it is.

    • @NickCombs
      @NickCombs 7 років тому +5

      Jake Stockton, Idea Channel recently did a piece on how the term "troll" is (or has become) meaningless. So I'd say we're just at a crossroads where our vocab hasn't kept up with the times, since a term to replace trolling has yet to catch on.

  • @theunknown4570
    @theunknown4570 7 років тому +329

    I used to HATE cats. All dog lover here. Until i lived with someone who had multiple cats. I started figuring them out. Since, I have had several. And i am a border line cat whisperer now. Takes awhile to understand them. But once you do. It is a joyful relationship.

    • @mikec1554
      @mikec1554 6 років тому +25

      Neil Tipton totally agree. Love cats. Used to hate them.

    • @olgachafeeva2828
      @olgachafeeva2828 5 років тому +41

      Wtf is wrong with people - how can anyone hate them??

    • @AshrafAnam
      @AshrafAnam 5 років тому +2

      You have been enslaved boy. Snap out of it!

    • @QuadiePoo
      @QuadiePoo 5 років тому +19

      Neil Tipton I’ve always loved dogs too. Never been a cat hater, but never had the desire to have one. But I just adopted a cat this last week and I absolutely adore him. He is so sweet and cute and cuddly and I love to hear him purr

    • @pemawangmo2145
      @pemawangmo2145 5 років тому +5

      @Raihan Iftekhar I used to hate ur mom but now it's a different story

  • @emmaslife3610
    @emmaslife3610 7 років тому +215

    My cat was watching this with me ❤️❤️❤️
    Love you peaches

    • @geogeo3644
      @geogeo3644 7 років тому +3

      Emma's life I have cat called peach too

    • @fatinizzati6604
      @fatinizzati6604 7 років тому +6

      Emma's life ur cat must hve been like "THEY MUST NOT KNOW OUR ORIGINALITYYY!!"

    • @steven1716
      @steven1716 7 років тому +3

      gumball cake
      Your typing is giving me a stroke. I demand an apology.

    • @fatinizzati6604
      @fatinizzati6604 7 років тому

      Imperial Inquisition Ordo Hereticus I refuse to do such thing.

    • @BexEdmondson
      @BexEdmondson 7 років тому

      +gumball cake just because of that response, I can tell i like you!

  • @bdf2718
    @bdf2718 7 років тому +50

    So cats bred us to be more intelligent so that one day we'd develop the internet and be able to post videos about cats?

  • @ganaraminukshuk0
    @ganaraminukshuk0 7 років тому +66

    "The rise of cat videos was practically inevitable."
    This should be the major takeaway of the video, which in a way is also a cat video.

  • @ChristieNel
    @ChristieNel 7 років тому +17

    When cats stare at you, they're looking into your future. Sometimes they see something that disgusts them and walk off.

  • @elenafoleyfoley168
    @elenafoleyfoley168 2 роки тому +18

    Such highly intelligent animals, people do not give them enough credit, they are divine creatures 🖤🐈🐈🐈🖤

  • @huldu
    @huldu 7 років тому +368

    Let's just be honest here for a second, if humans were able to lick themselves in the butt or the genital area, we would be very different today.

    • @lutyanoalves444
      @lutyanoalves444 7 років тому +15

      oh my

    • @sinephase
      @sinephase 7 років тому +89

      but we are able to lick each others' butts and genital areas :P

    • @lutyanoalves444
      @lutyanoalves444 7 років тому +35

      sinephase
      please dont ruin the joke

    • @Gyropilot42
      @Gyropilot42 7 років тому

      Hahahaha
      -sarcastic laugh

    • @WLFGNGPHNX
      @WLFGNGPHNX 7 років тому

      huldu what do you mean if they weren't able to do so today?

  • @stephanlourens
    @stephanlourens 7 років тому +4

    This is probably one of your most informative videos I have watched. Excellently produced and so informative. Historically very interesting and it shows brilliantly how evolution runs. Loved it.

  • @Waltham1892
    @Waltham1892 7 років тому +52

    You have gotten it backward.
    We learned to grow grain to attract mice to feed to our cats.
    Cats, you see, domesticated us...

    • @crazycatlady39
      @crazycatlady39 5 років тому +1

      Considering we now make them eat kibble, our cat masters tolerate us well yet. Lol.

  • @mathgasm8484
    @mathgasm8484 7 років тому +69

    My cat master told me that I am the domestic animal.

  • @AliHSyed
    @AliHSyed 7 років тому +183

    Cats domesticated people... true story

  • @l0lLorenzol0l
    @l0lLorenzol0l 7 років тому +40

    When God was creating all the animals he decided to see if he could create one that gave zero fucks and who could show absolute contempt and dissinterest with a single look while still looking majestic and cute.
    Thus cats were born.

  • @AntifoulAwl
    @AntifoulAwl 7 років тому +144

    This is all wrong. We didn't domesticate cats, cats domesticated us.

    • @MathiasVH
      @MathiasVH 7 років тому +6

      Cats domesticate themselfs and they did it more then one time 4:07 (joke RUINED)

    • @Jethrel
      @Jethrel 7 років тому +1

      And domesticate cats are not really domesticated in the words true meaning (joke ruiner ruined)

  • @ethanplague1618
    @ethanplague1618 7 років тому +1

    Thank you so much for this video! I have been wondering about this for sometime and haven't been able to find a straight answer. Thanks for setting me straight!

  • @St0RM33
    @St0RM33 7 років тому +66

    I am from Cyprus and i have lots of cats! :)

    • @Glendragon
      @Glendragon 7 років тому +3

      St0RM33 but at that time there were no cats

    • @nonameuser945
      @nonameuser945 5 років тому +1

      Are you talking about domestic cats? Because if you are, you can't just tell someone to get cancer, because it's life, every single living thing dies, and needs to *FEED ON THINGS* to survive. Please take that into consideration 0.0
      From Australia

    • @nonameuser945
      @nonameuser945 5 років тому

      I also have two cats and I love them dearly.

    • @38-jishjilson89
      @38-jishjilson89 4 роки тому

      From Greek or Turkish Cyprus?

    • @andyandreou
      @andyandreou 3 роки тому

      @@38-jishjilson89 there is no Turkish Cyprus. Just an occupation which we are trying to solve peacefully. Even if it takes 1000 years

  • @alexricky87
    @alexricky87 7 років тому +11

    Credit to Gryffindor!

    • @brightonbetoit463
      @brightonbetoit463 7 років тому +2

      Ken Osiris out of all the comments, this one made me laugh

  • @sheltiegirl423
    @sheltiegirl423 7 років тому +1

    My husband and I were just talking about animal domestication a few weeks ago and I've been so curious about it ever since. Thanks for this video! Have you done videos about domestication of other types of animals? I would be interested in those as well.

  • @scootsmcgoots
    @scootsmcgoots 7 років тому

    Fascinating episode. The videos with Hank doing them are the best.

  • @_ninthRing_
    @_ninthRing_ 4 роки тому +8

    I've had several pet cats over my entire lifetime & have spent many hours observing their fascinating behavior & interacting with them.
    One thing that they do - regular as clockwork -
    (which I'm sure anyone who's had a pet cat knows) is come up to me and meow quite loudly whenever I'm talking on a telephone. I've always suspected that they're responding to something in my speech & tone of voice (which subtly alters when I'm talking with someone on the 'phone), that makes them think that I'm talking to them, so they respond. (It's not like they can understand what a phone is, after all.)
    Some research that I've read implies that domesticated cats are profoundly more vocal than their wild cousins, with patterns specific for things around them (almost words) & that this may be a result of their millennia long interaction with humans.They lack both the intellectual capacity & vocal structures that would allow them to both fully comprehend & reproduce human speech, but they can demonstrably recognise specific sounds that we make (eg: their name).
    I talk to my cat all the time, and while I may be anthropomorphising just a bit, I do think that he has some level of understanding - of my tone, if not recognising the meaning of specific words (just say the word *"chicken"* and expect to have a furry black blur jump up & try to peer down your throat, while sniffing intently). I'm familiar with specific types of meows for a mother calling her kittens, a cat seeing food that it really likes & an unique hiccuping growl used on seeing birds (prey).
    I suspect that in the near future advanced genetic engineering will allow us to vastly augment their intellects, as well as their capacity to understand & (to a degree) reproduce human languages - perhaps even giving them simian levels of dexterity. Though this would obviously need to follow some strict ethical guidelines to avoid a moral quagmire.
    ~ ~ ~
    There is one question about cats which I'd really like an answer to & would appreciate you investigating:
    *"How can cats spend so much time sleeping or inactive, yet avoid atrophication of their musculature - actually retaining extraordinary muscle densities & remarkable acrobatic capabilities? "*
    Were a human to spend even a fraction of the time being as inactive as a cat, their muscles would waste away & their bones would become as fragile as chalk. There have actually been some long term studies where human experimental subjects spent many months prone in a bed & the results were pretty graphic (NASA studies into the potential effects of low gravity). Humans just aren't designed to be inactive, yet cats achieve 18 hours+ a day lazing or sleeping with ease.

    • @frostflower5555
      @frostflower5555 3 роки тому +4

      It's as if they wanted so badly to talk to their human owners but they can't, even when they open their mouth just a bit to form some words but nothing comes out. When my cat wants something he tries to get my attention in any way he could and he just looks at me like telling me, PLEASE HEAR ME. I love cats.

    • @_ninthRing_
      @_ninthRing_ 3 роки тому +3

      @@frostflower5555 We've both got "language" processing centres (Broca's & Wernicke's) in our brains. In humans, they're just much more developed (Homo sapiens is a highly social species). Cats may not be able to form words exactly, but they do have highly specific sounds for certain situations & things - food especially. So we (with our great big brains) must learn to understand them.
      Cats certainly know how we're feeling. In the past, when I was unwell, they'd stop fighting / doing noisy cat stuff and come up to me for a snuggle (normally a night-time occupation) & then stick to me like glue. (It's always so entertaing to have a furry shadow when using the toilet @ 3am. I've opened the door to 2 dogs & 3 cats, sitting all lined up, patiently waiting for me to finish...)

  • @korodyj
    @korodyj 7 років тому +4

    Cats difficult to get to the vet? That's an understatement, Hank. Mine cries the entire way..and his vet is just across the street...

  • @echoems
    @echoems 6 років тому

    one the most informative vid on cat domestication I've watched so far. great work! 😊

  • @Quasquaquorne
    @Quasquaquorne 7 років тому

    This little study is really interesting and fascinating! Congrats!

  • @Y2KNW
    @Y2KNW 7 років тому +11

    My cat is evolving into a furry basketball that hates everything.

  • @FennecTECH
    @FennecTECH 7 років тому +185

    So if cats domesticated themselves wouldent that be considered evolution the same natural selection process resulted in domestic cats

    • @XWierdThingsHappenX
      @XWierdThingsHappenX 6 років тому +14

      FennecTECH yes it would the same as wolves becoming dogs would be considered evolution

    • @hannajung7512
      @hannajung7512 6 років тому +29

      Yeah i think so. Breeding animals of any kind, and thus the process of domestication is kind of a human controlled form of evolution. That's why it allways startles me how anyone can see all the species men has "created" and still not believe in the effect of evolution.

    • @binky2819
      @binky2819 6 років тому +18

      Breeding and evolution are the same thing: the nonrandom selection of a random genetic mutation that gets passed on to successive generations. What makes them different is what causes that selection. In natural selection (what we think of when we say evolution) the genetic mutations that allow an organism to survive in its environment are selected. In domestication (or artificial selection) we humans select what traits get passed on so that it can benefit ourselves. It's the same phenomenon of traits getting passed on. We say that "cats domesticated themselves" because we didn't selectively breed them or train them to catch rodents, they started doing that themselves, and eventually got comfortable being around humans.

    • @JeffSyam
      @JeffSyam 6 років тому +1

      Considering they now have different species name (Felis Catus) from their ancestor (Felis Silvestris), so yes it should be evolution. Btw, I believe there some toxonomist insist that domestic cat latin name should be Felis Silvestris Lybica Catus, showing its subspecies origin, "Lybica" from North Africa.

    • @69eddieD
      @69eddieD 6 років тому +2

      Cats co-evolved with us. So did dogs, mice, rats, cockroaches, etc.
      Cats wouldn't be here without us. Neither would dogs, mice, rats, cockroaches, etc. That's what co-evolution is. Sure there would still be other types of cats, wolves, other types of rats and mice, different types of cockroaches, etc; but not the house mouse or alley rat.

  • @WormholeJim
    @WormholeJim 6 років тому +2

    I know this, they come from Ulthar, which is a quaint little town tucked benath the plateau of Leng. For some reason they have taken a liking to us, for which we should be tremendously grateful.

  • @eustacia03
    @eustacia03 7 років тому +2

    My cat has been vigorously chasing a toy mousie around the room while I watch this.

  • @rurutuM
    @rurutuM 7 років тому +192

    cats are all from space.

    • @lutyanoalves444
      @lutyanoalves444 7 років тому +8

      SPACE CATS!!!!!
      Boo!

    • @MiaobuMiao
      @MiaobuMiao 7 років тому

      Marco Onyxheart DANG IT YOU BEAT ME TO IT XD

    • @erikk77
      @erikk77 7 років тому +2

      No, the Chinese and their cats are from space.

    • @SnoopyDoofie
      @SnoopyDoofie 7 років тому +21

      Explains why we call it the Milky Way.

    • @aldlkj
      @aldlkj 6 років тому

      rurutu M and red pandas are from a dimension where everything is cutter

  • @sarmisthakhatua8206
    @sarmisthakhatua8206 6 років тому +9

    this is the purr-fect food to feed my brain♡

  • @blakewelch1767
    @blakewelch1767 7 років тому

    Very informative. Love it.

  • @zigzagdevildog
    @zigzagdevildog 5 років тому +1

    Hey Hank,
    I would really like to see a good in-depth episode on "lost tribes" aka "uncontacted peoples" such as the Sentinelese on North Sentinel Island. I've read up but you guys seem to have better research skills than I do. Thanks for considering and keep sharing knowledge!!

  • @tomato_tom
    @tomato_tom 7 років тому +7

    That's the cool thing about cats, they were not exactly domesticated, they just kinda hung around because humans created food for them and pet them sometimes.

  • @hpufo
    @hpufo 7 років тому +55

    I wish my cat was more independent. She is far too needy.

    • @gazepskotzs4
      @gazepskotzs4 7 років тому +69

      you can t choose their caracter,
      i have needy cats and independent ones.
      just like us, they are who they are,
      respect them for it...

    • @alexs8710
      @alexs8710 5 років тому +4

      The cat is not needy,it's just want you to feel needed. Thats a nice master for you ;)

  • @mrcat-nu1jb
    @mrcat-nu1jb 7 років тому +1

    you guys need more vidios like this

  • @ARoberts661
    @ARoberts661 7 років тому +1

    Thanks Hank! My wife and I just adopted a kitten and were doing research last week about domestication. Our kitten Hubble has a similar pattern as the images I found of wild cats. A few hours of research summed up in 5 minutes; keep up the great work.

  • @gregorygarcia7807
    @gregorygarcia7807 4 роки тому +3

    I've always have had cats. The big fun is when the bird calls the cats by name. The big boy cat looks at me like, "did he just say that".

  • @isabellabornberg2153
    @isabellabornberg2153 7 років тому +13

    thanks, ever so interesting

  • @mitchgrove4086
    @mitchgrove4086 7 років тому

    Wooowww... what incredible implications this video holds! =-O I'm loving this channel!

  • @jamespurks1694
    @jamespurks1694 6 років тому +1

    When comes to cat sizes now, the mid-east sand cat looks identical in all aspects of our domesticated cats. They are wild though and if you try to pick one up, it will be quite awhile before you can pick anything up again, depending on how severely you are mauled. Not sure if this ties in, but it might be an interesting topic for a future show.

  • @Mrcharrio
    @Mrcharrio 7 років тому +22

    I think traders saw people who had cats and then tried to tame the local species n their own area once home again.
    So many types of cats could of been domesticated easily.

    • @kathryngeeslin9509
      @kathryngeeslin9509 4 роки тому +1

      You could be right about that. Encouraging local felines would be far easier than stealing cats from Egypt or China. Then again, some cats (like rats) may have volunteered for the trip in spite of some cultures attempts to keep them away from others. Many cats today pick their own humans.

  • @Nannerchan
    @Nannerchan 7 років тому +20

    There is no evidence that my cats have any of their instincts left.

    • @acvarthered
      @acvarthered 7 років тому +9

      Domestication has nothing to do with instincts. It has to do with breeding out/diminishing the fight or flight mechanism. Domesticated animals are braver/more foolish then their wild counterparts.

    • @descai10
      @descai10 7 років тому +3

      +acvarthered
      Not necessarily, it's true that it varies, but they are mostly directly calm around humans. The diminishing flight or fight mechanism is less a result of domestication and more a result of indoor cats.
      Also, they certainly do still have a strong fight or flight response, which is why cats born stray can usually do fairly well.

    • @thominaduncanson8003
      @thominaduncanson8003 7 років тому +10

      +acvarthered To test diminished fight or flight instinct: Grasp domesticated cat, turn on vacuum cleaner. Three hours and 50 stitches into your ER visit you may now disprove that domestic cats have a diminished fight or flight instinct. 😂

    • @acvarthered
      @acvarthered 7 років тому +2

      Thomina Duncanson
      Diminished does not mean non-existent. Compare your cats reaction to a stranger coming into your house with the reaction of a wild cat meeting you on a trail. There is a huge difference. Yes it is true that domesticated cats are not all that domesticated when compared to other domesticated animals, but they are still less skittish then wild animals.
      You don't have to believe me though. Just do a little research. Talk to breeders, researchers and such.

    • @descai10
      @descai10 7 років тому +1

      acvarthered Once again, look at stray cats. Most of them run away the instant they see you, especially if there is a way for you to get to them.

  • @middle_school_feminist4967
    @middle_school_feminist4967 7 років тому +1

    I'm at a play Rehearsal, an I really miss my Kitty, even though I literally saw her less than 12 hours ago... I am too obsessed with her💗

  • @Tesserex
    @Tesserex 7 років тому +3

    4:21 I was sure you were going to say "those are people who give us money even though they don't have any." That might be more accurate...

  • @elipartin5764
    @elipartin5764 7 років тому +6

    I'm watching this because I'm having a bad day. I'm just letting the cats wash over me. Just. Cats. Yes.

  • @dragonskunkstudio7582
    @dragonskunkstudio7582 7 років тому +37

    Felis silvertris lybica? Suffering succotash!

    • @911gpd
      @911gpd 7 років тому +9

      sounds like a serious disease

    • @ILikeMyPrivacytbt
      @ILikeMyPrivacytbt 5 років тому

      So that's where loony toon's got their characters name.

    • @AshrafAnam
      @AshrafAnam 5 років тому

      Felis = cat
      Sylvestris = of the forest, wild
      Lybica = of "Libya" (North Africa west of the Nile)

  • @BusiedGem99
    @BusiedGem99 7 років тому +2

    1:08
    "So adding another furry friend wouldn't seem all the unusual."
    ~Facebook

  • @ghostpepperwine
    @ghostpepperwine 6 років тому +2

    I’m currently watching this next to my two snuggly cat pillows, surrounded by cat plushies, while my phone is in a cat shaped case. Life’s good.

  • @xdptwin1
    @xdptwin1 7 років тому +8

    Real question, Where did the small "wild cat" and "Small leopard cat" come from did they come from the big cats like lions and tigers some how?

    • @NightmirrorXx
      @NightmirrorXx 7 років тому

      I'm wondering the same thing. I'm guessing they might not know yet.

    • @xdptwin1
      @xdptwin1 7 років тому

      XD

    • @patrickmccurry1563
      @patrickmccurry1563 7 років тому +4

      The big cats are very recently evolved as species. There are around 35 species of small cat. Felines started out on the small side somewhat weasel like. Some lineages like the panthera genus got big. Panthera includes all man sized species except the cheetah. They're their own odd line.

    • @urmorph
      @urmorph 7 років тому +3

      No. They're distant cousins, like us and chimpanzees. Again, it's all there on Wikipedia. Warning: thanks to DNA analysis, taxonomy is in a bit of an uproar these days. This is a good thing, as it will eventually lead to a better understanding of Life, the Universe, and Everything, but it's one step at a time. The current consensus is that the cheetah, genus Acinonyx, is a member of the tribe Acinonicini (I'm not making this up) along with the genus Puma which has two members, the puma and the jaguarundi. Linnaeus must be having fits. (I know I am.)

  • @jesslipinski6166
    @jesslipinski6166 7 років тому +9

    why do cats in litters usually have different color fur (e.i. a white female cat gives birth to a orange furred kitten)?

    • @massimookissed1023
      @massimookissed1023 7 років тому +3

      Female cats can get pregnant by more than one male.
      Siblings in a litter can be from multiple fathers.
      Also, they can have varying degrees of characteristics from each of their parents.

    • @jesslipinski6166
      @jesslipinski6166 7 років тому

      yes i know, however is there still the possibility of the female only to be pregnant once and gives birth to different colored fur kittens?

    • @patrickmccurry1563
      @patrickmccurry1563 7 років тому +6

      How can blondes have brunette kids? Skin and hair color is not dictated by a single gene that always results in a single uniform coat. It's far more complicated than that.

    • @massimookissed1023
      @massimookissed1023 7 років тому +5

      Some colour genes are gender-specific too.
      99% of calico / torties are female, 99.9% of gingers are male.
      Some genes are dominant, so if either parent has that gene & it's not limited by gender, the kitten will have that gene.
      I have a tabby cat. Her last litter was 3 tabbies & 3 black kitties. Their father is black with hints of dark brown. Kittens can be a varying mix of both parents.
      I also have her previous litter of 3, who all look black, but in good light are actually black/dark-brown tabbies.
      Plus there's always a small chance of genetic mutation.

    • @jesslipinski6166
      @jesslipinski6166 7 років тому +1

      oh. interesting. thank you

  • @gurnblanstein9816
    @gurnblanstein9816 6 років тому

    You are so interesting to listen to. Brcause of your presentation and personality, not just because of the content.

  • @jonathanf.azulay8458
    @jonathanf.azulay8458 7 років тому +5

    Im eating cereal while watching this. Can that get me to the top?

    • @DexterAlenko
      @DexterAlenko 7 років тому

      Jonathan F. Azulay please stop these comments its not funny

    • @vulgarpotato
      @vulgarpotato 7 років тому

      Jonathan F. Azulay yes

    • @jonathanf.azulay8458
      @jonathanf.azulay8458 7 років тому

      Dexter Alenko it's*

    • @jonathanf.azulay8458
      @jonathanf.azulay8458 7 років тому

      awwww is little dexter wexter mad? awww little boo boo are you ok?

    • @jonathanf.azulay8458
      @jonathanf.azulay8458 7 років тому

      Dexter Alenko no I'm a taekwondo fighter, fighting at the elite level, and if i gain weight i go up a weight group, something you might not understand :)

  • @satisfactor3610
    @satisfactor3610 7 років тому +4

    I made a youtube video of my tabby cat sheltering from a thunderstorm!!, although he is in the warm right now, watching this cat video with me ;)

    • @satisfactor3610
      @satisfactor3610 7 років тому

      His name is Lion.

    • @kingbumi1656
      @kingbumi1656 7 років тому

      I can't see it on your channell.

    • @satisfactor3610
      @satisfactor3610 7 років тому

      I can't think why that would be? Can anyone else see it?

    • @satisfactor3610
      @satisfactor3610 7 років тому

      No it's set as a public video and it plays fine on my pc. Hmmm.

    • @expressthisout
      @expressthisout 7 років тому

      Yep, I could see it

  • @austinorourke6468
    @austinorourke6468 7 років тому +271

    1 second! never been so early! Let me make a joke...
    My life.

  • @RoKappa
    @RoKappa 7 років тому

    I never imagine that my country, Cyprus, would be mentioned in a SciShow video :)

  • @BLUEOHIO
    @BLUEOHIO 5 років тому +1

    I love cats their so beautiful and caring ..

  • @fatalbert2055
    @fatalbert2055 7 років тому +3

    The depths of Hell. Answered your question and the video didn't even start.

  • @najee_eee
    @najee_eee 7 років тому +7

    Can you make this a series where this domesticated species came from please
    Like if you agree

  • @BiblicallyAccurateToaster
    @BiblicallyAccurateToaster 7 років тому +1

    If u want to check out something crazy, look up Russian fox domestication experiments. The foxs' started showing floppy ears & unique coat variants after only a handful of generations, each time breeding the ones that were the friendliest to humans

  • @1Tomaraya
    @1Tomaraya 6 років тому

    Your channel is so cool

  • @amelianannette972
    @amelianannette972 7 років тому +12

    My cat is not domesticated; she gets free food, shelter, toys, beds, and treats from me. She is currently abstaining from murdering me, but if I stop providing 😖😵🔪⛏🔫🔫🔫

  • @chrisrus1965
    @chrisrus1965 7 років тому +5

    Wrong. At 0:57, you said "feral" but should have said "wild".
    Nothing is feral until it's been domesticated.

  • @tarunsharma2514
    @tarunsharma2514 7 років тому

    One of the detailed show..!!

  • @Trueyarn247
    @Trueyarn247 7 років тому

    It's good to confirm what I already know. Thank you :)

  • @childofpersia1213
    @childofpersia1213 7 років тому +5

    How does everyone on sci show have the same voice

  • @KanyeWeast
    @KanyeWeast 7 років тому +98

    how do we know cats where with us so long if the oldest one we found was in 2001

    • @guilmon182
      @guilmon182 7 років тому +60

      Just look at your sentence. Look at it.

    • @Glendragon
      @Glendragon 7 років тому +45

      Zoey Godson rip brain

    • @yasminberrytic6157
      @yasminberrytic6157 7 років тому +16

      they found the oldest remains (=bones) in 2001

    • @PrestonSmith1989
      @PrestonSmith1989 7 років тому +31

      I know what they meant when they said it, but my brain had that same thought for a moment.

    • @thominaduncanson8003
      @thominaduncanson8003 7 років тому +12

      An unfortunate time travel incident. Don't ask. 🤐😉

  • @phantasm1234
    @phantasm1234 7 років тому +2

    Can you do one on cerebral aneurysms? I had one rupture at 19 and would love to learn more!

  • @brennabeloved8540
    @brennabeloved8540 7 років тому

    This explains so much..

  • @ianrbuck
    @ianrbuck 7 років тому +8

    Patreon patrons domesticated themselves.

  • @westcoastwarriorsarchive7929
    @westcoastwarriorsarchive7929 7 років тому +6

    isnt this also how dogs were domesticated? The ones with a mutation that made them more friendly were the ones that came around human settlements and got food and stuff from them and where then better able to pass on their genes?

    • @descai10
      @descai10 7 років тому +4

      Pretty much.

    • @MyIpadMail
      @MyIpadMail 7 років тому +2

      It doesn't work like that, if you parents where nice people, that doesn't mean that you will become nice, the dogs that lived the closest to humans became kinda tame, and when they had children, their children were also living very close to humans.

    • @ihsahnakerfeldt9280
      @ihsahnakerfeldt9280 6 років тому

      West Coast Warriors Archive Humans selectively bred them and emphasized the traits they found desirable. It wasn't like cats which domesticated themselves.

  • @fromscratchauntybindy9743
    @fromscratchauntybindy9743 7 років тому

    I was sooo expecting to see an appearance by Cameo or Index in this episode!

  • @JaelinBezel
    @JaelinBezel 5 років тому

    I sometimes see this cat wandering around the backlot of my workplace. Pretty sure he's not domesticated because he is terrified of people and will NOT let you get close to him. On the other hand we acquired our current cat when we found him lurking around the trashcans at Fingerlakes state park near midnight in 2004 and we gave him cheese. He was sleeping on me by the next day. :D

  • @DanteYewToob
    @DanteYewToob 7 років тому +4

    Soooo... What I'm hearing is, we didn't domesticate shit.. Cat's domesticated us. lol
    Grow us some mouse bait humans! Then bury our dead with lavish decor and care for us. Protect us from those vicious disgusting dog things and rub our bellies while we sleep. One day you will develop technologies to better spread the love for us, and share our greatness with the world and eventually THE GALAXY!
    :3 yup. Cat's domesticated humans.

  • @matty4912
    @matty4912 7 років тому +8

    Sorry SciShow, the story teller already told us about cats and mole rats today :P

    • @timberwolf2450
      @timberwolf2450 7 років тому +1

      Matthew Cooper Shoddycast?

    • @kyle221299
      @kyle221299 7 років тому

      Matthew Cooper checkers?

    • @lcmiracle
      @lcmiracle 7 років тому

      ...there are cats in fallout?

    • @timberwolf2450
      @timberwolf2450 7 років тому

      LCwavesAtYa Yeah, but they don't have any purpose. They just wonder around

    • @lcmiracle
      @lcmiracle 7 років тому

      Jairo Ivan
      Well, its seems Bethesda got something right.

  • @nneichan9353
    @nneichan9353 4 роки тому

    Most important Vid yet!

  • @middle_school_feminist4967
    @middle_school_feminist4967 7 років тому +2

    I've always wondered this...

  • @mheermance
    @mheermance 7 років тому +4

    Hydrogen is an odorless colorless gas which, given enough time, gives rise to cat videos.

  • @wm6789
    @wm6789 7 років тому +261

    Where do domestic cats come from?
    Answer: Hell.

    • @fixitfeilix5051
      @fixitfeilix5051 7 років тому +31

      wally russ still better than dogs

    • @spindash64
      @spindash64 7 років тому

      TheCatLord
      The fact that place freezes over every winter explains more than it should

    • @ethanoux1532
      @ethanoux1532 7 років тому +19

      wally russ No they come from heaven

    • @TheRobster2007
      @TheRobster2007 7 років тому +23

      The same place all mammals come from: Pussies.

    • @Airbiscuitmaker
      @Airbiscuitmaker 6 років тому

      (Hisses loudly)

  • @burningchrome70
    @burningchrome70 2 роки тому

    The carved sea shells seem nice.

  • @samvidas9599
    @samvidas9599 7 років тому

    I have successfully converted my science classroom....
    We are now routinely watching Crash Course and SciShow videos in class! YAASSS!!!
    The teachers still make it really boring, but Senpai makes it bearable.

  • @totalxxownagexx5087
    @totalxxownagexx5087 7 років тому +3

    I have a savanna cat she's so cute

    • @BrokebackBob
      @BrokebackBob 7 років тому

      TOTAL XxOWNAGExX Awwwwww, sweet!

  • @espositogregory
    @espositogregory 7 років тому +3

    I bet you cat domestication happened seven times before that

  • @colox97
    @colox97 7 років тому

    that was an excellent observation

  • @emilyanne4521
    @emilyanne4521 7 років тому

    I am loving the cat theme lately! I would argue that my cat is at half wild as while I was watching this I had to lock him in the bathroom because he wouldn't stop mauling my foot! Haha