Serval+and+Caracal

The Serval and Caracal in Ancient Egypt

The Egyptians did not differentiate between various species of wildcat, or between wild and domesticated cats. Thus the identification of servals and caracals is difficult without careful bone studies. Servals were imported from Nubia as pets, and the god Ra took the form of one. The caracal was associated with the goddesses Mafdet and Pakhet. Both felines were mummified, as pets and as sacred creatures.

A large, exotic menagerie, the world's first zoo, was excavated in Egypt in 2009. Dating to 3500 B.C.E., among the numerous exotic animals uncovered were the remains of six wildcats. One of the wildcats showed signs of bone fractures that can only have healed in a protected environment.

The Felines of Ancient Egypt