Faine Greenwood: People really do underestimate just how intensely humans have co-evolved with domestic dogs over the course of many thousands of years. (And with cats, albeit over a somewhat shorter time-frame).

People really do underestimate just how intensely humans have co-evolved with domestic dogs over the course of many thousands of years. (And with cats, albeit over a somewhat shorter time-frame).

When domestic pigs get out, they go feral in a single generation. When dogs get out, coyotes start behaving like domesticated dogs in one generation.

My dog reads me like nobody's business, so I know all about this co-evolution stuff.

Feral kittens can easily be domesticated if caught early enough, and I’ve met plenty of street cats that eventually become friendly if you spend enough time feeding them and hanging around them. (Probably bc cats know a mark when they see one)

the gap between house cats and feral cats isn't exactly big to begin with

The core difference is when a hiuse cat disrupts an ecosystem, they'll bring you the spoils. Never underestimate the power of little gifts.

when cats get out, they're the same bloodthirsty adorable monsters they are indoors.

And selective breeding is a POWERFUL evolutionary pressure.

Well, cats domesticated people, not the other way around...

Cats are interesting and we’ve put far less effort into behavioral selective breeding until recently. They kind of chose us.

Oh they totally self-domesticated. Cats: Oh look, these people seem to have a lot of mice around… oooh that feels good… ::purr:: Human: look at this cute animal, omg what’s that noise? This truly is the best thing ever. ::cat attempts to jump on to a table and fails spectacularly:: Human: Lol

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