The Cat’s Meow: How Cats Evolved from the Savanna to Your Sofa

Evolutionary biologist and herpetologist Losos (Improbable Destinies) switches his scientific inquiry toward the feline world in this engaging book on the history of cats. A member of a multi-cat household, Losos focuses his title on the evolution of felines from the big cats that roam the savanna and prowl the jungle to the friendly, domesticated house panthers that cat owners know and love today. He explains in an understandable and sometimes humorous way the science behind some famous cat breeds, the diversity of cat genetics, how cats communicate with each other and with their humans, and the newest high-tech cat research involving GPS and mini cameras. The author also discusses the environmental impact of cats on local wildlife populations and the behavioral differences—and eerie similarities—between domesticated cats and their feral counterparts.