Cats and Their Nearest Wild Relatives

Domestic cats belong to the Felidae family of the animal kingdom, which also includes such large cats as the lion, tiger, cheetah, and leopard. The wild ancestor of the domestic cat is Felis libica, commonly called the African wild cat. This species still exists in Africa, but because it is most active at night, it is rarely seen and therefore difficult to study.

Scientists have learned, however, that the African wild cat lives a solitary life on a well-marked territory. Male and female adults interact very little other than during mating. Later, females interact with their own kittens.