Thursday 20 November 2014

NEWSLINK: Scientists Discover Genes That Helped Turn Fearsome Wildcats Into House Cats

BY NICK STOCKTON 11.10.14 | 3:19 PM |

25 Wildcats, like this Scottish wildcat, are almost identical to domesticated cats. Except instead of sit on your lap, they'll chew your ass off. Wildcats, like this Scottish wildcat, are almost identical to domesticated cats. Except they’re more likely to bite you in the ass than sit on your lap. Peter Trimming/Flickr Cats are different than other domesticated animals. Unlike other species tamed for either food or labor, cats specialized in becoming mooches. Sure they catch mice, but it’s not like they do it for our sake. Despite these differences, many scientists believe that cats, like all domesticated animals, inherited certain genetic mutations from ancestors who were unafraid of humans. A new study identifies some of the genes that may be responsible for the differences between house cats and their wild ancestors.


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