In order to fully understand the answer to this question, we must take a close look at the history, evolution and classification of cats. The feline family has a history that dates back at least 50 million years ago. Scientists believe that the descendants of this prehistoric feline, known as Miacis, separated into three distinct classes approximately one million years ago. These classes were “Big Cats”, like lions and tigers, “Average Sized Cats” like the leopard and cheetah, and “Small Cats” like bobcats and lynxes. Since then, we have found reference to versions of the “small cats” living harmoniously with humans. Over 6,000 years ago the Egyptians were fascinated by beauty of the African wildcats, and used them to protect their grain storage from rodent infestation. So impressed were they with the cat’s natural hunting abilities, the Egyptians worshipped the cat goddess of fertility, happiness and the moon. Ancient artwork with cats as their subjects can still be found in the preserved pyramids of Egypt. When they came to Europe, they bred with the native British breed, and their offspring were found to be much smaller than their ancestors. The Europeans saw the benefit of having these natural hunters after Pope Innocent supported the Inquisition to burn all cats and cat lovers at the stake, causing a severe drop in the feline population. While this decline, the rodents carrying infected fleas had free reign, and resulted in the Bubonic Plague that spread throughout all of Europe, killing millions of people. Once the persecution against these felines ended, they continued living as pets and companions of humans.  

While every breed of cat has the same overall physical appearance, they come in all shapes, sizes, and colours. The main characteristic used when classifying these felines is the length and style of their fur. As seen when the African wildcat bred with the British breed, crossbreeding has a lot to do with changes in the feline lines. As with all species, the feline breeds have changed with evolution and by necessity. Cats have had to adapt to their natural environments and through natural selection* have evolved and developed in to the animals we know today.

For example large, wild cats like tigers, leopards, lions and cheetahs have had to blend into their environment in order to protect their young from potential predators and to sneak up on their prey undetected. A tiger’s stripes look much like the waving bands of light shining through the reeds of tall grass that make up their home, while a cheetah’s spots help them go unnoticed in their barren landscape with low bushes dotting the land. A leopards spots and a panther’s sleek black coat help them blend into the jungle environment they call home. Other characteristics make each breed of cat look unique. The lion’s regal golden mane stands out against their flat landscape, warning others to stay away, while their female counterparts, the lionesses, blend into their landscape. This helps them with their hunting, and protects their young from any potential threats.

While the general appearance of the feline shape stays the same from one breed to the next, some changes have been made been made through evolution as needed. For instance, cats such as the cheetah have had to become leaner and toner, allowing them the ease of grace needed to reach their record speeds. The lions have become bigger and stronger by necessity, since they determine the line of succession by fighting. These are but a few examples of how the feline shape changes from one breed to the next.

To sum up, the diversity of their native environments, combined with genetic evolution, natural selection and crossbreeding have all caused differences between the breeds of cat.

To learn more about the intricacies of natural selection, read on at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_selection