Martelli's cat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Martelli's cat |
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| A bone from the jaw of a Martelli's cat. | |
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Martelli's cat (Felis lunensis) was a type of wild cat that lived a very long time ago in Europe. It belonged to the Felinae subfamily, which includes many small and medium-sized cats. Sadly, Martelli's cat is now extinct. This means there are no Martelli's cats left alive anywhere in the world today.
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Martelli's Cat: An Ancient Hunter
Martelli's cat was an ancient animal. It first appeared about 12 million years ago. This was during a time called the Pliocene era. The Pliocene was a geological period that lasted from about 5.3 to 2.6 million years ago.
What Was Martelli's Cat Like?
This prehistoric cat was larger than most modern wildcats. It was a strong hunter. Martelli's cat used its hunting skills to catch its food.
What Did Martelli's Cat Eat?
Martelli's cat was a carnivore, meaning it ate meat. Its diet mainly consisted of birds. It also hunted small mammals. These animals were its prey in the ancient European landscapes.
Its Place in Cat History
Scientists who study ancient animals believe something very interesting about Martelli's cat. They think that the modern wildcat, known as Felis silvestris, might have evolved from Martelli's cat. This means that Martelli's cat could be an ancestor of the wildcats we see today. Evolution is the process by which living things change over many generations.
