There are two theories about the origin of cats. One theory suggests that cats originated 40,000 years ago, a time when mammals were flourishing on Earth. An animal called the "saber-toothed tiger" may have been the earliest ancestor of cats, but it went extinct 20,000 years ago.
Another theory suggests that cats originated from an extinct animal called *Anomalocaris*. Based on archaeological discoveries and paleontological analysis, this animal lived in trees and resembled cats and dogs in appearance, with a relatively large body, long tail, short legs, and retractable claws like those of cats and dogs. Over time, around 10,000 years ago, an animal more similar to modern cats evolved from this *Anomalocaris*, known as the "Dinodon." This animal was extremely agile, both on the ground and in trees. The Dinodon is likely the closest ancestor of wildcats.
