Spotted cat - examples of breeds and their names

The most popular hybrid spotted cat breeds

Most of these are animals obtained by crossing with wild cats.

Bengal

A hybrid of the Asian Leopard Cat or Lesser Leopard (ALC) and a domestic cat, bred by American breeder Jean Mill. Selection work began in 1961. Today the breed is recognized by all felinological systems of the world. The animal has been a pet since the fourth generation.

The first individuals were exclusively “golden” in color - there were black spots on a red background. With the development of the breed, pets of different colors were obtained:

• silver - the main background is silver;
• snow - in three modifications - linx, mink and sepia;
• marble - the spots merge into a large “cloak” or “sparble” pattern;
• charcoal - on a black background there are marks of the same color, while this is an experimental color.

Today, especially popular are individuals whose spots on the skin are arranged in the form of “rosettes”, reminiscent of the pattern of a jaguar’s fur. The most valuable pattern consists of three colors.

Even Bengals of the Siamese-Himalayan type have been bred. But no matter the color, the coat is the main distinguishing feature of this breed. It must have a “wild” pattern and is of the highest quality - short, without undercoat, tightly adjacent to the muscular body, glittery.

A kitten experiences phasing at two to five months, a process characteristic of wild cats. The bright pattern is hidden under the long secondary hair. The baby “blooms” to the age when his physical development allows him to protect himself from enemies and obtain food, in full accordance with natural canons.

Excessive hair loss occurs only during this period of time; in adult life, the Bengal cat does not shed.

This charming animal is rightfully called the “domestic leopard” due to its exceptional exotic coat pattern and energetic temperament.

Read more in the article about Bengal cats.

Toyger

This is a “defective” Bengal, in which the standard prohibits the merging of spots into stripes.

The genetic fixation of this deficiency helped the emergence of a new breed. It was created by Judy Sugden, daughter of Jean Mill. Not all felinological systems have yet received recognition.

The colors of the Toyger are the same as those of the Bengal cat.

Also read the article about toygers.

Savannah

The largest modern cat breed. It is a hybrid of Serval and Abyssinian. Registered by breeder Patrick Kelly in 2001 in the American felinological system TICA.

Savannah got the leopard coloring from a wild ancestor. Its color varieties are gold, silver, brown (ed), chocolate, cinnamon.

By nature, these cats are very curious and intelligent, easy to train. They do not tolerate loneliness well. Active, jumping and busy pets need a lot of space to play and love water very much.

Also read the article about savannas.

Serengeti

A hybrid of Bengal and Oriental was created in California in 1994 by breeder Karen Sauzman. Due to its close resemblance to the Bengal cat, the breed is not widespread. Registered only in the American TICA system.

Egyptian Mau

This is a slender, well-built cat of medium size. Her features are a fold of skin on her stomach, thanks to which the Egyptian is capable of impressive jumps, and a unique eye color of an interesting shade of green, which is compared to the color of an unripe gooseberry. Her character is sociable and friendly.

Egyptian Mau are descendants of the very cats that were so revered in Ancient Egypt. The history of the breed (in the modern sense) began more than a hundred years ago, but almost ended during the Second World War. The restoration of the breed was undertaken by the Russian princess N. Trubetskaya. Of course, it is difficult to say whether the ancestors of modern Egyptian women were descendants of those same ancient Egyptian cats, but it is reliably known that the princess imported animals for breeding work from Cairo.

What does the letter "M" mean?

Markings on the fur are elements of a camouflage arsenal from wild relatives. This color is not always a sign of a purebred breed. You can also find this pattern on an ordinary domestic kitten. Stripes are a sign of ancient origin; they helped the ancestors of pets hide in the bushes. It should be borne in mind that for some animals the letter “M” on the forehead is an undesirable feature, and individuals are rejected from the standard. These breeds include:

• Russian blue. Shorthair, one of the most sought after in the world.
• Burmese. It has an unusual color, thanks to which it is recognizable.
• Siamese. Short-haired, with blue eyes.
• Chartreuse. Another name is Cartesian, originally from France.
• Bombay. Black American, bred in the twentieth century in Kentucky.
• Balinese. Long-haired version of the Siamese.

The most popular spotted breeds of domestic cats

The tabby color is also found in breeds bred without crossing with wild cats.

Ocicat

In appearance it resembles the brightest cat in the world, Ocelot, and got its name in honor of him. Although it has no relationship with a wild cat, but was obtained by crossing a Siamese and Siamese-Abyssinian mestizos.

By its temperament, the Ocicat is a cheerful and playful pet, loyal and affectionate, sociable and loving.

The colors vary in color, but always with spots.

Read more in the article about Ocicats.

Egyptian Mau

Descended from common street cats of Cairo. Exported to America in the fifties of the last century. One of the oldest natural breeds in the world.

The color of the short, dense coat can be different - silver, bronze, smoky, pewter. But always a tabby - and only a dark spot.

A distinctive feature of his appearance is the “scarab” mark on his forehead and the black “eyeliner” of his expressive green eyes.

This small, muscular and very active cat has a balanced and independent character. She is attached to people, does not like loneliness, and is friends with all pets. Loves to talk with family members. The sounds that the Mau makes are not always like meowing, but resemble the “mumbling” of a person.

And you can learn more about this cat by reading the article about the Egyptian Mau on our portal.

Pixiebob

The Elf with the Short Tail was developed in the United States in 1985. The exact origin of the breed has not been determined; there is a version that wild cats participated in the selection, but this has not been confirmed by anything.

The pixie bob is characterized by the appearance of a lynx with tufted ears and a short tail. Polydactylism is common. The short or semi-long coat is always tabby in color - with spots or “rosettes”.

In their devotion to humans, these cats resemble dogs. Very calm, attentive and observant pets are friendly and love to play with children. They swim excellently, climb trees, hunt, “talk”, making beautiful curling and chirping sounds. They get along well with other pets, but are always leaders.

British Shorthair and Scottish Fold cats

The British and Scottish Fold are essentially different types of the same breed, although they are registered separately in feline systems. These are some of the most popular and oldest domestic breeds in the world.

By nature, these pets are self-sufficient, almost always phlegmatic. They like to sleep, but are not fans of active pastime. They are attached to people, love and do not offend children. Unpretentious and calm.

The colors of these cats are varied, spotted colors are very common.

American Shorthair (Kurzhaar)

This breed developed from its European relatives, who migrated with humans to America. A group of breeders began working on the approval of the variety at the beginning of the twentieth century.

The most famous color is the silver tabby - bright black, rather large spots on a light gray background.

The character of the American is called the “golden mean”, the cat is calm, does not require constant human attention, is moderately active and very devoted to the owner and all household members.

European Shorthair

The spotted color of this oldest breed is widely popular. The oldest European native variety was registered and presented to the public only in 1982.

A kind, energetic animal is deeply devoted to humans, willingly plays with children and at the same time never loses its hunting instincts.

Siberian

This natural oldest Russian breed most likely descended from Oriental cats brought to Siberia by merchants.

Animals with long hair and a thick undercoat are excellent hunters and have an independent and calm character. They are sincerely devoted to the owner and all household members, but do not like attention and affection imposed on them.

Among the many colors of Siberians, tabby is common.

Maine Coon

The raccoon cat is the pride of Americans. This natural breed has long been in the lead as the largest. The size of an adult cat (length with tail) reaches one and a half meters and weighs sixteen kilograms.

This pet is calm and undemanding, friendly and devoted to humans. But at the same time, like its ancient wild ancestor, it is an excellent hunter.

The colors of the coon are varied, spotted is quite popular.

Read more in the article about Maine Coons.

Introduction

The Tiger Country in Russia is a harsh and distant land.

Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve, photo by A. Kretschmar

In the Russian Far East this happens every month, and in some months several times.

On March 17, 2001, in the vicinity of the village of Svetlogorye, Pozharsky District, Primorsky Territory, an Amur tiger was captured and euthanized.

On March 19, 2002, a tiger attacked Sergei Sokolov, a researcher at the Institute for Sustainable Environmental Management, and maimed him.

On the evening of May 15, 2004, on the banks of the Kolumbe River near the village of Melnichnoe, Krasnoarmeysky District, Primorsky Territory, forester of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve Igor Sharov was attacked and seriously wounded by an Amur tiger. That same night, this tiger was shot by unknown assailants.

On June 17, 2004, in the Bikhan tract, Nanai district, Khabarovsk Territory, a tiger killed and ate a man.

They searched for the beast, tracked it down and eventually killed it.

On January 4, 2005, in the Amur Region, a tiger attacked a man from behind and wounded him. In the shortest possible time, the hunters eliminated the predator.

On June 14, 2006, the Amur tiger was poached in the Mataisky nature reserve in the Khabarovsk Territory. The circumstances of the incident remain unclear.

On November 15, 2006, in the Nadezhdinsky district of the Primorsky Territory, a hunter encountered a tiger. The predator defended its prey - a freshly killed wild boar. He attacked the man, inflicted several wounds on him and was killed.

Before us is evidence of a war waged between a man and the largest cat in the world in the Far East.

A war whose end is constantly delayed.

A war that representatives of international environmental corporations, which for some misunderstanding are called public organizations, stubbornly refuse to notice.

Today, according to various estimates, in the Far East people kill from twenty-five to forty-five Amur tigers every year. Approximately the same number of them were shot in the twenties of the 20th century.

Despite environmental propaganda and books by naturalists, it is almost impossible for the average Russian to imagine that two giant cats still live in modern Russia - the Amur tiger and the East Siberian leopard. No less amazing are the background against which they exist and the reality that surrounds them. By this I mean not only the Far Eastern taiga itself, but also its four-legged and two-legged inhabitants, as well as the economic processes that took place in it previously and are continuing at the present time. The proximity of tigers in the Far Eastern region is not exotic, but a phenomenon that largely determines the life of the local rural population. The presence of the beast determines how peasants graze their livestock, how they search for ginseng (in the local dialect, “root”), how they lay out hunting routes, and even how they determine places for deforestation.

The Amur tiger is a dangerous predator with a difficult fate.

The Far Eastern Hunting Supervision Service maintains order.

I remember how, at the very beginning of my acquaintance with the Ussuri taiga, I went hunting with one of the oldest game managers in the region. We distributed the routes so that my partner got the upper reaches of the creek (“the key,” as they usually call them there), and I got the lower reaches. In the evening, arriving at the hut for the night, my companion looked gloomy and not at all happy.

“There will be no hunting for us in these springs,” he summarized. —

The damn mattress has passed. I scattered all the animals.

-Who-who? – I didn’t understand.

- Yes, the mattress is striped. Damn Tiger. Which the city people here carry around like a sack.

So I immediately received two very clear lessons about life in the local taiga. First: the tiger is a common element of everyday life here. Second: the rural population treats it with restraint, to put it mildly. And to be completely honest, he openly doesn’t like her.

The situation is different with the East Siberian leopard.

Even the very presence of this animal back in 2002 raised doubts among the officials of the Department of Natural Resources responsible for its existence, the head of which asked scientists specially invited to his reception: “Do we really have a leopard and how do you know this?”

The Ussuri taiga is home to the Amur tiger and the East Siberian leopard.

Photo by M. Kretschmar

Experts explained that yes, they say, such a beast exists in the world, and it is necessary to allocate targeted funds to scientists to observe it. Here, however, they bent their hearts a little: the East Siberian (also known as the Far Eastern, but we will talk about this confusion in names later) leopard is one of the most famous subspecies of leopard in scientific circles, while in its main habitat - in Africa, India and Southeast Asia - there are so many interesting objects for study living next to it that naturalists simply never got around to the spotted cat.

Previously, local residents who lived side by side with the East Siberian leopard did not consider it a leopard at all. They called him “leopard”, did not specifically hunt him - fortunately the animal itself did not give any special reason for this - but they often did not show mercy when they met him. Nowadays, this predator no longer instills in people that mystical fear that, according to the testimonies of the pioneers, the indigenous inhabitants of the south of the Far East experienced before it, but the sika deer bred in vast enclosures - deer parks - regularly kills sika deer, and even dogs on occasion grabs... And in general - what the hell is not joking while God is sleeping...

In 2002–2004, my life developed in such a way that I could directly observe a set of measures to protect the Amur tiger and the East Siberian leopard in the Russian Far East. Much of what he saw irritated, some puzzled, and some amused.

At first, one circumstance quite surprised me: today, in the Ussuri region, there is a targeted and successful illegal hunt for tigers. Moreover, it was not only rural poachers, city hunters and timber truck drivers who had to kill the striped animal, but also summer residents, sea urchin and sea cucumber catchers, and even some activists of environmental organizations.

Some may find offensive remarks addressed to environmental organizations and the academic community, of which there are many to be found on the pages of this book. I want to immediately make a reservation that they relate only to the circumstances that have developed in the south of the Far East, where the intervention of global environmental corporations in the early 1990s gave rise to a strange situation when one and a half to two dozen people living on the money of international structures act on behalf of the people and the Russian Academy of Sciences. This information noise has no real impact on the situation in the taiga and on the lives of its inhabitants.

I warn readers in advance that a significant part of the text of the publication consists of previously published works. Nothing can be done - despite the fact that for four and a half years of my life I was closely associated with giant cats, I never had the opportunity to observe them in nature with my own eyes. On the other hand, during the entire time I was involved in various “cat projects” (and I continue to participate in them to this day), I had to read a huge amount of different literature in four languages, communicate with hundreds of people, many of whom “understood” my heroes more than any certified zoologist who followed them with a direction finder, and, in the end, lived next to them! In addition, the book contains many quotes from the writings of professionals who have seen animals in nature. I did this in order not to act as a “damaged phone”, conveying in my own words the observations of eyewitnesses.

It is noteworthy that in the “land of big cats” I never met people who would remain indifferent to the problems I was considering. Forest beauties today find themselves at the center of seething passions, sometimes sincere, but most often not entirely objective. Probably no other wild animal in Russia evokes such emotions. Maybe this is because close relatives of giant cats live in almost every Russian home and we have been familiar with them since infancy? Are we not transferring our perception of our pets and their aura onto the formidable inhabitants of the Far Eastern taiga?

In any case, many thanks to them for not leaving us indifferent!

* * *

The author expresses special gratitude to Yuri Darman, Director of the Far Eastern Branch of the World Wildlife Fund, without whom this book would never have been written.

He also sincerely thanks N. Agapov, V. Aramilev, T. Aramilev, A. Batalov, D. Bakholdin, A. Belov, S. Zubtsov, Vs. Kirillova, |V. Korkishko|,

S. Kuznetsova, S. Kucherenko, V. Matvienko, D. Mikella, O. Mochalov, S. Naimushin, A. Petrov, S. Sokolov, V. Solkin, I. Suslov, P. Fomenko, V. Yudin and all those , sometimes strangers, people who gave good advice and an interesting story to help us understand what is happening today on the Ussuri paths.

Mikhail Kretschmar

Australian mist

Australian Mist These four-legged spotted coats were developed in Australia (the only cat breed developed in that country) by crossing local street animals with Burmese and Abyssinian breeds. Caring for these cats with a calm, flexible, moderately active and easy-going disposition has no specific features. It is based on regular brushing, bathing as needed (note that mysts do not like water), cleaning the ears, eyes and teeth, as well as shortening the nails.

Australian Mist
These animals love to spend time in secluded places, so your pet’s bed should be placed in a corner hidden from prying eyes. Australian mysts are taking their lack of access to the outdoors in stride. However, walks will be useful for them, if only because these cats have a tendency to gain weight, and walking is a great way to prevent your four-legged pet from developing obesity.

These animals are picky in terms of food, so you need to make some efforts to please such a pet. Mists are very clean and will not tolerate a dirty litter box.

The rarest spotted cats

Leopard-colored cats are also among the new experimental breeds that have not yet found recognition.

Australian Smoke (Mist)

Breeder Labor Street from Sydney carried out enormous selection work, which involved simple and purebred cats - Abyssinian, Siamese, Burmese. Among the many colors, tabby is one of the most common.

Mist inherited excellent health from the barn cats, and extraordinary grace and dignity from the elite. Gets along well with any pet, is devoted to people, loves children, is active and energetic. Approved by a limited number of felinological organizations, it is not widely distributed.

Read more in the article about the Australian myst.

California radiant

Despite its wild appearance, this is not a hybrid breed, but a mixture of many varieties of cats - British Shorthair, Manx, Siamese, Angora, Abyssinian.

Created by American screenwriter Paul Casey as a symbol of wild African cats, mercilessly destroyed by humans.

Very smart, friendly, silent and undemanding pets are still very rare and are registered only in the TICA felinological system (USA).

There are eight colors - black, brown, blue, bronze, charkoal (smoky anthracite), red, gold and silver. Always tabby.

Ussuri cat

This natural breed was noticed relatively recently. Most likely, it came from crossing Amur and Siberian cats.

It has been registered as experimental since 1994, but so far its representatives are very rare in the world.

The main color is from golden to fawn, always tabby. A very independent, self-sufficient and proud pet has all the habits of a predator. Temperamentally, he is more like the latter. Doesn't get along well with other animals, is a loner by nature and an excellent hunter.

Soukok or Sokoke (Kenyan Forest Cat)

It is believed that the ancestors of this very rare breed are wild kazonzo and secondarily feral domestic cats.

Through the efforts of the English breeder Jenny Slator, the breed was approved in 1992 in Denmark.

These slender and lithe cats are small in size, but strong and muscular. The dense and short coat can be of different colors, but always tabby, usually merle.

Playful and very intelligent animals are quite willful and independent. At the same time, they get along well with both humans and other pets. Wonderful hunters.

Also read the article about sokoke.

Part I Striped cat

Chapter 1 Giant Cat

What is a tiger?

Let's try to abstract a little from the image of a tiger, inspired by a television screen or pictures from a color calendar. Let's go up to our domestic cat, take her in our arms, stroke her, scratch her belly so that she stretches out her paws with pleasure with her claws extended and purrs, revealing her long sharp teeth...

And now let’s mentally increase all this a hundred times!

The light bite, which you feel as a sharp tingling sensation, now penetrates your arm and is capable of crushing your skull. A playful slap with a semi-relaxed paw, which previously only left scratches on the skin, crushes your bones and sends you to the next world. A mouse suitable for such a cat should be the size of a roe deer or a dog, and a rat should be the size of a wild boar. And, characteristically, this pussy is not fed “whiskey”. To live, she must kill every three to four days while getting food - and an adult tiger kills about a hundred large animals a year.

What, creepy?

But the most terrible thing about a tiger is its eyes, the indifferent, penetrating gaze of a samurai, whose intentions are impossible to predict - either it will pass by contemptuously, or from a half-turn it will briefly slash you with a sword, so that in the last moment of your life you will only have time to see a silver stripe that has come from nowhere. become…

And after that, do you want people living side by side with the tiger to love him?

The look of a tiger. PHOTO IGOR AK. [email protected]

In the world of large mammals, the world to which you and I belong, cats are one of the most frightening and attractive creatures, differing from us in absolutely every way.

They are predators. Absolute and permanent. At the dawn of their appearance, people, like all primates, were eaters of plant fruits.

Almost all cats are nocturnal creatures. We prefer bright sunlight to gray twilight.

Cats do not become attached to anyone and, by and large, do not love anyone but themselves.

Cats are also free from any complexes and phobias - with amazing self-confidence, the cat enters any building that interests him, sniffs and inspects the corners and ultimately settles down in the most comfortable place for him.

Cats also have a feeling that cannot be found in human nature. This is the sense of touch with the help of vibrissae and special long hairs on the back of the feet and legs. Thanks to them, animals are able to record vibrations in the air and soil, catch the slightest breath of wind and the rustling of another living creature behind the wall. This alien sensation, coupled with night vision, places cats in a world fundamentally different in perception from ours. Cats can perceive the most imperceptible changes in nature, including those that turn into global disasters. It is not for nothing that ancient peoples considered cats to be connected between ours and some unknown world alien to humanity, which they called the “kingdom of the dead.”

What then can we say about the feelings that people have for giant

cats?

A cat, a simple domestic cat, is usually called a super predator. The tiger then should be called a hyperpredator.

California radiant

California Radiant The appearance of the breed was preceded by 11 generations of cats and years of tireless work. In the veins of this miniature cheetah flows the blood of representatives of the Siamese, Angora, British, Abyssinian breeds, as well as street Egyptian animals of spotted color. The California Shining is not an animal that will be comfortable in cramped conditions. To divert your pet's attention from property damage, it is recommended that he buy toys and a play set.

It is better to keep small animals away from this cat. Daily harness walks, which California Shiners simply adore, will help use up the energy accumulated during the day. You should wash your pet only when its fur gets dirty. It is recommended to avoid blow-drying. These are unpretentious animals in food. They will happily consume both ready-made food (preference should be given to high-quality products) and natural food.

Due to their natural activity, these cats are not prone to obesity. However, this does not mean that they can not be limited in food. Genetic diseases have bypassed this breed, but regular preventive examinations, treatment for parasites and vaccinations are also necessary for its representatives.

Wild spotted cats - pets

Wild leopard cats are very beautiful. The fashion for keeping them at home has arisen more than once in the human community. But not all representatives of the cat world can be safely placed in a house.

Today, only three spotted species are most widespread as pets.

Serval

The African bush cat is a medium cat. Body length with a short tail is up to one and a half meters, weight - up to twenty kilograms. A small head, long legs and high-standing large ears make this animal look like a cheetah.

In order for a Serval to grow up tame, it must be taken away from its mother in the first days of life and fed by hand. Therefore, you should only purchase such a pet from experienced breeders.

A properly raised kitten will grow into a friendly cat, but its wild roots must not be forgotten. An adult must have a separate enclosure.

Food: raw meat only. During growing up, great attention should be paid to ensuring that there is enough calcium in the diet. Children have fragile limbs and fractures often occur.

The Serval's coloring is magnificent - dark spots on a reddish background.

Read more photos and interesting information about the serval in a separate article on Mister Cat.

Ocelot

A very bright animal, resembling a leopard in appearance, although smaller in size.

Less accommodating and less trainable than the Serval. An adult should only be kept in an enclosure. Nevertheless, it is often found today in home keeping because of the extraordinary beauty of its amazing colors. Such a pet named Babao lived with the famous artist Salvador Dali.

Geoffroy's cat

This small wild animal is similar in size to its domestic counterpart.

The brightly spotted skin was highly valued in the fur industry. Today this species is on the verge of extinction and is protected by the CITES Convention.

Therefore, it is now rarely found in home keeping, although it is popular. It is well tamed if at an early age the pet was taken from its mother and raised in the hands of a person. There are only a few breeders of this species, and it is difficult to acquire such a cat.

Signs associated with ginger cats

Red cats, just like black ones, are haunted by all sorts of legends.

1. It is believed that red pets are always obstinate and overly independent. In fact, there is often a very strong emotional connection between an animal and its owner.
2. Picking up a ginger kitten on the street and bringing it into the house means attracting prosperity and good luck. Since the fiery color is no more common among street vagabonds than among their purebred relatives, not everyone will experience such happiness.
3. Some people believe that a sunny-colored cat absorbs negative energy and protects a person from negative influences.

They also say that they purr louder than others, cure alcoholism, and predict illness and death. The only true observation is expressed in the popular saying “a cat in the house means happiness in it.”

Care

Spotted cats have physical strength and excellent toughness. Genetically, these animals are predisposed to the most difficult conditions, which contributes to the fact that they are less likely to suffer from viral and colds than their ordinary counterparts.

Excessive activity of leopard-colored cats often causes abrasions and bruises. Their regeneration occurs in a fairly active manner, wounds heal very quickly.

It is necessary to ensure that the animal receives food on time. It is recommended that spotted beauties be provided with a balanced diet, since their energy consumption is enormous.

This cat breed is in most cases short-haired. Large spotted cats do not require frequent brushing and do not leave fluff in the apartment. These cats do not need to be washed often.

Are there ginger cats that are girls?

Boy and girl cats have different sets of chromosomes:

• the cat has a double X chromosome (XX);
• The chromosome set of a cat is XY.

As for the O gene, it is attached only to the X chromosome, and has two “coloring” alleles: O (red) and o (black). In practice this is expressed like this:

• OO with two XX in girls gives a red color;
• the same chromosomes with the oo alleles create a black tint;
• With a set of Oo, two-colored (tortoiseshell) kittens are born.

Male cats have fewer options because they have only one X chromosome, which can be accompanied by a single allele expression: O (red) or O (black). But nature did not program cats with two-color red and black colors.

In practice, this complex genetic kaleidoscope is expressed in the fact that in a litter there are fewer red cats than males.

Important! Under natural conditions, ginger cats are born approximately 3-4 times more often than female cats. This even causes the unfair judgment that only boys wear bright sunny coats.

Peculiarities of behavior of spotted cats

Spotted coat coloring is the best camouflage for a predator. Pets with leopard coloring carry the gene of wild ancestors in their blood or are as close to them as possible. This explains their energetic and active character.

Such animals need a large space for play, often love water and swim well, and are excellent hunters and fishermen.

Like any wild cat, they are independent and self-sufficient. You should not try to forcefully pick them up, sit them on your lap, or play with them. Little “leopards” will come to a person on their own when they see fit.

Spotted cats are very smart, real intellectuals. They easily learn the simplest commands, remember a fairly large set of words perfectly, and quickly get used to wearing a harness.

With proper early education, they socialize well and never show aggression.

They are very attached to their owner and yearn for loneliness. It is better to keep such animals in the house in pairs. Then, in the absence of household members, they will perfectly occupy themselves, quickly make friends with any other pets, but will always remain leaders.

Just don’t introduce them to parrots or rodents - most likely, the hunting instinct will be stronger than their liking.

For pet “leopards” it is necessary to purchase a large play complex, exercise equipment and interactive toys. Their energy always requires an outlet.

Why do cats leave home?

A cat that has found its home brings happiness, so what does it mean if the cat leaves home? Such superstitions always have a negative meaning and it does not matter why this happened. If a cat has left its owners, it needs to be found. If this is not done, then misfortune awaits the whole family.

If a cat leaves the house where a sick person is, he will die.

When an animal jumps out of a window, disaster cannot be avoided.

If the cat has left home, he may be very sick. When he leaves his home, the disease cannot be cured. By leaving home, he frees the owners from suffering from his death. Cats prefer to die alone. If a sick animal tries to leave, it should not be restrained.

Savannah is half Serval

This large (up to 60 cm at the withers) spotted hybrid cat, originally from America, tops the list of the most expensive pets. Serval and Bengal blood flows in her veins. They are incredibly loyal, intelligent, energetic animals with phenomenal memories, which allows them to learn quickly.

Savannah

The most optimal conditions for keeping these large spotted cats is a special enclosure in a private house. Savannahs have a pronounced hunting instinct; they sometimes hone their skills on their owners. It is recommended to wean a kitten from this harmful and sometimes dangerous habit as early as possible with the help of regular outdoor games and toy mice.

Ussuri cats

Such cat breeds can also be called “Leopardette”. They first appeared in the Amur region, this is their homeland. Ussuri have a medium shape. The head is round, fitting to the body, and the muzzle is small. The animal's ears are located high on the head, sometimes tassels are visible. The neck and paws are well developed. The coat is short, there is also an undercoat, which is quite dense.

Ussuri are kind and affectionate animals. They have good health. Very calm, love their owner. Spotted cats of this breed tend to shed seasonally.

Pixie – bob

These breeds are of American origin and acquired artificially.
When making such breeds, scientists wanted them to look like wild lynxes. They are large in size, and the ears have tassels like those of lynxes, which is what the emphasis was placed on. Scientists who produced spotted pets claim that they have genes from wild animals. But the DNA test did not show this.

In the eighties, a kitten was born for the first time, which was an exact copy of a wild lynx. And in 1995, this breed was officially registered. Animals of the Pixie-Bob breed are very rare, their paws are multi-fingered, and their eyes are wild. This breed is distinguished by its originality and truly powerful body. They have a wild posture and a freedom-loving character.

Cats of this breed are very smart and calm. They are not aggressive, but are wary of new people. From their appearance it seems that they are about to scratch you, but this is only at first glance. They are good cats and are not capable of such nonsense. They respect their masters and always obey them. They love communication and active games. You will be glad to have such a pet.

“If you breed them with a cat, they can bring no more than three kittens.”

The cat comes into the house

If a cat comes into the house, you cannot kick it out. He needs to be sheltered, because he brings happiness. You cannot kick out those kittens that do not come on their own, but are brought by children. Kids feel other people's energy much better than adults. If they brought an animal, it means they know on an intuitive level that it can protect them.

If the cat came into the house on its own, it must also be left. It will bring good luck, attract wealth and protect from troubles.

If a cat has strayed, but there is no way to leave it, then you need to feed and warm the animal. Afterwards you need to take care of her home. If you do all this, then good luck will come soon.

If a cat suddenly comes to your house, you need to pay for it. Three coins of any denomination are thrown onto the road, and gratitude is offered to fate for good luck.

If a strange cat appeared on the threshold, stood for a while and left, this is also considered a sign. Its interpretation depends on the color of the animal. If a red or black kitten arrives, the owners of the house will receive a monetary profit. Happiness and love - this is what a white or gray cat comes to.

If a kitten comes to the house of a married couple, then they will have an addition to the family. If a cat attaches itself to lonely people, it may promise a wedding.

If a neighbor's kitten strays, it cannot be kicked out or taken back to its owners. When the time comes, he will leave on his own. The baby who has settled down needs to be fed. Perhaps he came to scare away misfortune or warn the owners of trouble. The arriving kitten cannot be given away, because then it will not be able to protect it from harm.

A nested kitten is often considered a messenger from the other world. Along with him come the souls of deceased relatives. This is how they convey some kind of message or warn about impending misfortune, so a kitten that has become stuck cannot be kicked out. You need to keep it. If you kick out a nested kitten, this will bring misfortune to people, which will last for 7 days.

When a pregnant cat comes home and starts giving birth, you need to adopt her kittens. This will bring good luck for many years.

A stranded kitten cannot be kept in the house. If he wants to leave, you need to let him out. This will mean that the kitten has completed its mission and its services are no longer needed here.

Skunk.

Skunks live in North America in small families or alone. Cute animals have an unusual black and white color. Representatives of the animal world that have light stripes on their backs have a unique ability.

Glands located under the tail secrete fluid in defense against predators. The smell is so pungent that it repels any enemy.

Serengeti

The Serengeti cat breed appeared in the United States at the end of 2000. The color of this animal allows us to determine who its ancestors are - these are Bengal cats.

The goal of the creators of the breed was to obtain a kind, affectionate, playful animal that would take root well at home. The Serengeti is quite curious, so their exploration of the territory can sometimes harm the interior of your apartment. They get along well with dogs. Although the Serengeti are practically devoid of aggression, often, when they sense danger, they attack first. True, this behavior does not apply to people.

Cheeto

For domestic cats, these are quite large animals - their weight ranges from 6.5 to 10 kg. The name of the breed suggested to the creators the gentle nature of these cats: they are obedient and friendly companions who love to “talk” with their owner and receive another portion of care and affection from him.

They inherited their wonderful character from their parents – purebred Ocicat and Bengal cats. Chitos are very attached to their owners; being with them is always interesting and fun. These wonderful cats have shiny, short and thick fur that feels like velvet. The fur coat can be of several colors, but there must be solid or individual spots in the form of rosettes.

Hyena.

Small predators live in Africa and prefer to be in a pack. They are dangerous not only for mammals, but also for travelers who may encounter a hyena during their trip.

Spots on the fur help in hunting; with their help, animals externally merge with the ground and stones. The color allows them to be invisible to the victim and wait for the right moment to attack. Predators are difficult to spot in nature when they move around. There are few spotted hyenas left on the planet; the species is listed in the Red Book.

TYPES OF COLORS OF BRITISH CATS

Also, all British colors can be divided into categories:

• plain (solid) or solid colors;
• tortoiseshells;
• color point;
• silver;
• gold;
• colors with white: bicolors, harlequin, van, tricolors, mitted;
• typed (smoky, shaded, veiled);
• tabby or tabby (patterned): marbled, spotted, striped (brindle), ticked;
• mixed colors (combine 2 or 3 colors);
• “folk” names of popular colors: whiskey, chinchilla.

There are some types of British colors, when the kittens “bloom” and change their color over time.

How to embrace the immensity: the main varieties of cat colors

Diversity is diversity, but no one has canceled systematization. Therefore, all possible colors of cats were divided into several groups.

Table: main groups of cat colors

All tabby, shaded and chinchilla colors are grouped together as agouti colors because it is the agouti effect that allows them to show up on a cat's coat.

Description and standards of Ocicats

global $ads_google; //data-ad-slot=”2475549904″ $ads_google = empty($ads_google) ? false : true; ?> if ($ads_google == false) {?>

$ads_google = true; ?> } ?>

The Ocicat cat has a powerful and even heavy muscular body, strong bones and a long torso. These cats can rightfully be proud of their athletic bodies. The breed has long legs, which successfully complements the image of a graceful creature. The line of the back rises slightly towards the tail. The paws look like an oval. The long, thin tail has a tapered tip.

The head is pronounced triangular in shape. The curve from the nose to the cheeks is small and smooth. When viewed from the front, the muzzle appears wide, but in profile, on the contrary, it appears elongated. Characterized by a strong chin and lower jaw. The double chin (dewlap) in “aged” cats gives them solidity.

Moderately large ears are inclined to the transverse line of the forehead, it seems that the cat is on alert and is in this state constantly.

The Ocicat's eyes are set slightly slanted. The cat looks at the world with large almond-shaped eyes. Their color can be anything but blue. The color does not have to match the coat. Double “eyeliner” of dark and light color adds beauty to the look.

Ocicat colors

The color applies interestingly. On the tail there are transverse stripes, the tip is always dark. On the paws and neck, the pattern is located in bracelets or necklaces, with gaps and quite large ones.

If you examine each hair, you will notice pronounced ticking.

Take a closer look at the Ocicat: the spots are not at all chaotic. Every stripe is just a hair's breadth away and in its place! There is even a “mark” in the form of the letter “M” on the forehead. The pattern on the cat's head resembles a scarab beetle. The color with such spots is called "bull's eye".

According to the standard, 12 colors are recognized. That is, the three main ones manifest themselves in four different ways:

• Chocolate with brown specks on a milky background. The nose with this color is pink, as are the paw pads. But the edge of the nose is brown.
• Brown expressed with cinnamon spots, warm ivory agouti background. The nose and paws are the same as those of the chocolate color, the tip of the tail is brown.
• Reddish-brown is decorated with dark brown and even black spots. The background is red. The color of the nose is dirty red, the edge is dark. Paw pads can be dark gray or black.
• The yellowish-brown has a milky background with yellow-brown spots on it. The color of the nose and pads is pink.
• Blue - spots of blue color, the background is either light yellow or pale blue. The pink nose has a blue border, the pillows match the fur coat, bluish.
• Lilac implies a milky or pale yellow background and purple spots. The pink nose has a dark purple border, and the pads have a characteristic purple tint.

The remaining six colors are variations of the above, but with the obvious addition of silver.

The Ocicat can be white only in certain places, namely around the eyes, nostrils, on the upper part of the neck and chin

Cat sizes and weights

The growth of Ocicat cats reaches 25-33 cm. Females weigh slightly less than males.
On average, the body weight of adult animals is 2.5-6 kg. Table of approximate weight of Ocicats by month

global $ads_google; //data-ad-slot=”2475549904″ $ads_google = empty($ads_google) ? false : true; ?> if ($ads_google == false) {?> $ads_google = true; ?> } ?>

Fold cats

These animals are native to Scotland. They have a distinctive feature and these are their unusual ears. Cats' ears are slightly turned forward, slightly shifted at the edges, and the ends are round.

As soon as the kittens of these breeds are born, they do not look at all like the animals of these breeds, and after a month they acquire all the forms she needs. Fold cats have large eyes, small hair and a round muzzle. Coat color in mono or mixed style. The character is calm and affectionate, they can stand on their hind legs, and their voice is creaky.

Toyger

And this animal is the cherished dream of connoisseurs of feline grace and beauty. A toyger is almost a tiger, but small in size and has a harmless and gentle character. This is the rarest spotted cat. And this is primarily due to the difficulties that arise when breeding animals.

The toyger has rounded ears, amazingly beautiful stripes, and a slender and strong build. The name of the breed translates as “toy tiger.” This beautiful animal was obtained after crossing ordinary domestic cats with Bengal, Mau and several other varieties.

Possible tabby colors

Among tabby cats, gray and silver cats predominate with markings of a wide variety of colors: lilac, chocolate, blue, smoky black, reddish. But this does not mean that other tabby colors are rare. In the table below we look at the main variations of tabby color.

Table 2. Possible flower combinations for tabby color

It is worth noting that colors may vary depending on the design. Thus, spotted patterns are often presented in warm colors: golden, chocolate, wheat, brown, reddish, red. The classic type combines contrasting patterns of dark stripes on a light background: cream, yellowish, gray. The basis for dark striped patterns is silver and gray. The ticked type offers almost all possible colors. You can read about the mechanisms of genetic inheritance of pigments from cat to cat below.

Pigments and options for their transmission

In addition, the pattern may vary depending on the breed.

Table 3. Tabby color options for different breeds

Tabby cats with a rarer color are valued higher - because of this, they can cost more than their counterparts.

Color options

Since a cat has more color options, it means that she also passes them on by inheritance:

• Only the red allele O is passed from mother to male cat;
• Characteristics of two parents are passed on to female kittens (genes O and O).

Other colors and color spots that were present in the animal’s relatives play a role in the formation of coat shades.

1. White-red cat. The white gene (W) is dominant over all others, the spotting (S), partial spotting (Sp) allele and the white recessive ww allele also work. The tendency to white spotting is always dominant in relation to solid colors.
2. Red tabby cat. The fiery color is never continuous. It definitely shows patterns in the form of stripes or marble spots. In genetics, this effect is called “tabby” and it is responsible for the characteristic pattern on the coat.
3. Red marbled cat. We are talking about shading the tabby pattern. In ginger cats it is necessarily present, but in varying degrees of contrast. A heavily shaded tabby looks like a pure color, a slight blurriness leads to a distinct pattern, a moderate shade is associated with marble stains.
4. Cat in light red tones. The D gene comes into play. It is responsible for color saturation and colors the hairs a deep and uniform red. But in the dd modification, lightening occurs, then the pigmentation granules in the hair structure are sparse.
5. Cat in black, white and red tricolor. The combination occurs only in girls. Cats are deprived of this color due to a single X chromosome, to which only one allele responsible for pigmentation can be attached. The exception is male individuals carrying the chromosomal formula XXY. But they are, as a rule, sterile and do not take part in reproduction. Therefore, the white-red and black color is the privilege of cats.
6. Black cat with red spots. A kitten gets tortoiseshell coloring from two parents who carry the genes for black and red hair pigmentation. Most often, girls become carriers of this combination.

Important! A total of nine colors form the main color palette of cats. An ordinary ginger cat must receive the red pigmentation gene from two parents. Otherwise, he will not have a sunny coat color.