Category: Mammals
Domestic cats are widely thought to have descended from the African wildcat (Felis sylvestris lybica), a species first domesticated about 10,000 years ago in the Middle East. They are thought to have been tolerated by ancient humans since they hunted vermin and eventually, through natural selection, diverged from their wild ancestors. Compared to dogs, cats have not undergone a great deal of change during the domestication process – they still retain their general wild form, hunting instincts, and highly acute senses. Even though cats sometimes live in colonies, they do not have a pack instinct and always hunt alone.
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The age-defying Brandt’s bat
In most mammals, larger size correlates with longer lifespan, but that is not the case with the Brandt’s bat, who can live up to 41 years and weigh less than 0.28 ounces! These bats resemble larger, longer-lived mammals in that they mature slowly and have fewer offspring – but the size difference is dramatic: a female Bonobo lives for approximately 40 years as well, but she outweighs the Brandt’s bat by a factor of 3,771! Oddly enough, it is suspected that the mutated gene that causes the bat’s dwarfish size is the same one that leads to its long lifespan. Studying animals with unusual longevity like the Brandt’s bat does more than just satisfy our curiosity, it could lead to longer, healthier lifespans for humans and other animals!
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Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
