Fossils reveal felines drove 40 species of canines to extinction after arriving in North [tr]

UK Daily Mail ^ | August 13, 2015 | Jack Millner

[C19fan]

You may think your dog has an irrational hatred of cats, but their instinct to chase felines out of their territory might be more reasonable than you think. Fossils have revealed the two species have a rocky past after the introduction of cats to the Americas had a devastating effect on the continent's species of wild dogs. In fact, it is thought that competition from cats caused up to 40 species of dog to become extinct in the region millions of years ago.

[C19fan]

Looks like cats won this pre-historic Cats v. Dogs war.

[Larry Lucido]

In fact, it is thought that competition from cats caused up to 40 species of dog to become extinct in the region millions of years ago.

That's a long time to hold a grudge.

[Buttons12]

Team players never do like non team players.
There’s a grand old Kipling story about it, The Cat That Walked By Himself.

[Kartographer]

"That's a long time to hold a grudge."

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

[Larry Lucido]

Rin Tin Tin. A bad ass!

[SampleMan]

Another “scientific” study that has a finding that is almost all conjecture, based on coincidental fossil evidence.

Is it possible? Sure. Can it be proved? No. Can it be disproved? No. Perfect grant trap.

Given that dogs interbreed, they are not classically different species, but more accurately different breeds with selective mating habits. It is hard to fathom that 30+ differentiations would not interbreed over time, effectively decreasing the number of distinct groups.

[GoneSalt]

[CatherineofAragon]

Cats = most efficient killers on the planet.

They’re just cool that way.

[onedoug]

...catty ping....

[Twotone]

Kitty ping...sort of.

[ClearCase_guy]

CATS: Make your time.

DOGS: Somebody set us up the bomb.

[Gefn]

Kitties are cool. Would you say they are the best hunters around?

I can’t see my furry little friends as killers. Although they can be mean killing machines with their claws..

Not to mention how cute they are as kittens, they make your head explode from squee. That is how they will take over the world and make us their slaves.

( human, change my box. Human, bring me tuna)

[SatinDoll]

That is a very good point.

If you’re interested in canine/feline genetics, you might be interested in one of the more beautiful feline hybrids: Savannah Cats.

http://www.f1hybridssavannahcats.com/

[CatherineofAragon]

I would definitely say they’re the best at hunting. :)

And that doesn’t in any way interfere with their head-exploding cuteness.

(Every time I’ve had a cat I’ve been enslaved, LOL).

[Slings and Arrows]

[Rodamala]

[mass55th]

The original Viking Kitties!!

[freedomlover]

[Twinkie]

Yep. Cats are overbearing. Our Brutus terrorizes our dog, Dubbers; but Dub absolutely loves her to pieces & tries to protect her. (HA! That’s rich! Brutus could rip the face off a hyena!)

[SunkenCiv]

Note: this topic is from 08/13/2015. Thanks C19fan.