Scientists have found that as cats became pets over the last 10,000 years, their brains have become smaller. This shows that a theory called “the domestication syndrome (驯化综合征)” is true.
This theory shows that when animals are tamed, their brains make fewer special cells (细胞) called neural crest cells (NCC). These cells have something to do with fear and excitement. Having fewer of these cells might make the brain smaller and change how animals look to and do with stress.
The scientists compared the skull (头骨) sizes of house cats and several types of wild cats from Africa and Europe. They found that house cats, and mixes of wild and house cats, have smaller skulls (and brains) than wild cats (including European wildcats and African wildcats). They also found that mixed-breed cats have brain sizes in between those of house cats and wildcats.
The main reason for this brain size reduction is that house cats live easier lives in more comfortable environments with fewer dangers and predators.
Other studies have shown that the brains of other tamed animals, like dogs and rabbits, have also become smaller compared to their wild relatives. Even human brains have become smaller over the past 28,000 years. Experts think that the change from being hunter-gatherers (狩猎采集者), ▲ , to being farmers with more peaceful lives may be the main reason for this brain size reduction.
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