The domestic cat, Felis catus, is definitively not an indigenous North American species. These familiar felines are relatively new arrivals, introduced by humans centuries after their original domestication far across the ocean. While North America has its own array of native wild felids, the cat species that lives in homes and urban environments today has a deep evolutionary history rooted in the Old World.
The Origins of the Domestic Cat
The modern domestic cat traces its ancestry back to the African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica), a subspecies found across North Africa and the Near East. Domestication began approximately 10,000 to 12,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent, coinciding with the advent of settled agriculture.
Grain storage led to increased rodent populations, which naturally drew wildcats to human settlements. Cats that were less fearful gained a survival advantage, leading to a natural selection for tameness. The earliest archaeological evidence is a cat buried alongside a human in Cyprus, dating back about 9,500 years.
The Historical Introduction to North America
The presence of the domestic cat in North America is directly linked to European colonization. Settlers—Spanish, French, and English—brought these felines across the Atlantic Ocean beginning in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. They served a practical role aboard ships, protecting food stores and structures by hunting rats and mice.
Once colonies were established, the cats continued their role as working animals, controlling vermin and protecting crops. Archaeological evidence, such as remains found in a Spanish shipwreck off the coast of Florida dating to 1559, confirms their early arrival. The domestic cat population grew alongside human settlements, transitioning from utilitarian pest control to the valued companions they are today.
North America’s Indigenous Wild Cats
While the domestic cat is an introduced species, North America has its own family of native felids that evolved on the continent. These wild cats have been present in the ecosystems for millennia, predating the arrival of Felis catus. The continent is home to several distinct species, often much larger than their domesticated counterparts.
The most widespread native cat is the Bobcat (Lynx rufus), inhabiting diverse environments from southern Canada to Mexico. The Cougar (Puma concolor), the largest native cat species, historically ranged across the continent. The Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis) is specialized for snowy conditions in northern regions, possessing large, padded paws. Other native species found primarily in the southern parts of the continent include the Jaguar, Ocelot, and Jaguarundi. These species are integral components of the North American natural food web.