The popularity of these leopard-like animals is growing day by day; real fans are not stopped by either the cost, the low distribution, or the lack of conditions for keeping exotic beauties.
These are leopard-colored cats, whoever saw their photos will never forget, the story is about the most popular breeds with this fashionable color. The first breed that comes to mind is the Bengal, which combines the genes of a domestic cat and a small leopard or Asian leopard cat. Selection work has been carried out since 1961 by the American breeder Jean Mill. To date, it has been recognized by world systems of felinology.
From the 4th generation, the Bengal is considered domestic. The first representatives wore the color in “gold” (black spots on a red background), later the colors were significantly diversified: marble (sparble or raincoat type of spots merged into a pattern), silver, snow (from 3 subtypes - mink, dinks and sepia), while Another experimental “charcoal” (both background and markings are the same color).
A cat with a coat of three colors is successful with buyers and breeders.
... and the spots should be located identically to the pattern of a real jaguar - in the form of rosettes. The coat, whatever its color, is the calling card of the breed, distinguished by short, glittery hairs without undercoat, tightly adjacent to the body and forming a “wild” pattern. The price for a domestic leopard with a pedigree is 85.5 thousand.
Rejected Bengals with a plush disposition, bred by Judy Sugden, have not yet received worldwide felinological recognition, but they have won hundreds of admirers for their appearance, which gave them the name “toyger”. The fact that stripes are not standard among Bengals has become a feature for the new breed. The character of mini-tigers is much kinder and more domestic than that of their progenitor. Advertisements with photos of Toyger kittens report that the price of these pets is from 60 to 200 thousand rubles, and can only be bought in official nurseries.
Interesting Facts
- In ancient Egypt, when a cat died, all members of the owner's family shaved its eyebrows and mourned it. They buried the animal with honor, and during the procession they drank wine and beat their chests. The Egyptian Mau was embalmed and placed in a family tomb or animal cemetery with miniature mouse mummies.
- Toyger is the youngest breed of tiger cat. It was developed based on the requirements of modern life: the animal must become a friend and companion to the owner. So the toyger cat is a design development of breeders. By the way, they continue to be improved with the goal of making them completely similar in appearance to tigers.
- Wild oncilla is almost never kept at home. Only isolated cases of domestication of a predator are known, and their owners keep them not in houses, but in enclosures.
- Tiger cats, unlike many, can speak with their eyes. Their emotions and feelings are immediately imprinted in the expression of their muzzle, and it is quite difficult to distinguish one emotion from another, since they are caricatures.
- And finally, we want to give advice to those who want to have a tabby friend: under no circumstances let your cat go wild. These animals need constant displays of affection and love more than others. Otherwise, they will become withdrawn and even aggressive.
Sources
- https://givotniymir.ru/tigrovaya-koshka-opisanie-osobennosti-vidy-i-cena-tigrovoj-koshki/https://kot-i-koshka.ru/tigrovaya-koshka/https://koshkamurka.ru/ 5765-tigrovaya-koshka.htmlhttps://kotologia.com/porodyi/tigrovaya-koshka.htmlhttps://murlo.org/ru/porody-koshek-tigrovogo-i-leopardovogo-okrasa/https://pets2.me/ bok/412-oncilla-ekzoticheskiy-predstavitel-semeystva-koshachih.html
Another representative of the leopard color is the Ocicat.
Although the name comes from the wild ocelot, there are actually three types of domestic breeds involved - Siamese, Abyssinian and American Shorthair. The result was a friendly, gentle, quick-witted creature with a unique appearance. All hair (except the tail hair) has a pattern - a stripe, which, merging, creates spots. The letter “M” is emblazoned on the forehead, the eyes are outlined in black, the contrast between light and dark is striking. The cost of purchasing and delivering an Ocicat will exceed 100 thousand rubles.
A rare breed of leopard cat with wild blood running through its veins is the South American Geoffroy cat, named after the French zoologist who first noticed this animal. Until now, this breed has been forcibly “humanized”; it is kept by Americans and Europeans. Like all savages, it loves to swim, eats rodents and is nocturnal. The value of the stylish skin led to the long extermination of Geoffroy; now the hybrid animal is estimated at 7-10 thousand dollars.
Australian smoke
The breed was developed by crossing Abyssinian, Burmese and Australian barn cats. The Australian Smoky is a medium-sized animal.
She has stable and strong limbs, and her tail, narrowed at the end, matches the length of her body. Her head has soft, rounded contours, a curve at the bridge of her nose, and large, wide-set eyes.
The dense, glossy coat has three levels of color: base color, pattern and smoky mantle. The character of the Australian cat is calm and docile. They are moderately active and get along easily with children and other pets.
Bush cat from the African continent - serval - waterfowl of a nocturnal predator
... which has been domesticated almost since the times of ancient Egypt. But this animal came to Europeans and Americans only in the 19th century. The breed has not yet received permission to participate in competitions; the kittens do not have an official pedigree. Care, living conditions and food are very unusual, and the cost exceeds half a million rubles.
The Abyssinian and the Serval gave birth to offspring called the Savannah, which is considered the largest breed in the world. The leopard color here is of “wild” origin, varieties are silver, gold, cinnamon, red, chocolate. Savannah is inquisitive, playful, loves water treatments, inquisitive and does not tolerate loneliness well. The price of a large leopard cat is 4-20 thousand dollars, when delivered to Russia it can reach up to 1.5 million rubles.
Serengeti is a predatory color combination, similar to the serval, but created without the participation of wild blood, honey eyes and large ears, and the character is just a gift to all cat fans, it is curiosity, lack of fear of strangers, playfulness, love for the attention and understanding of the owners. The cost of the graceful Serengeti, despite the increasing number of breeders, can be determined as 1-2 thousand dollars, and this is not yet even a breed that does not participate in exhibitions and competitions.
Those who like a leopard with tasseled ears like a lynx should take a closer look at the pixie-bob (short-tailed elf), created back in 1985. Unconfirmed data indicate the presence of a “wild” gene, but evidence and information about the origin of the breed are unknown. A bright appearance with several characteristic features at once does not prevent the pixie-bob from having the behavior and disposition of dogs. Loyalty, observation, calmness and friendliness towards everyone (including children, other animals, strangers) - these are the nice pets, in order for them to become your companions, get ready to fork out $600-1500. For breeding in a nursery you will need even more - 5000.
Attachment to family
Asian leopard cats are extremely socialized creatures: •accompany their owners within the apartment; •they enjoy walking on a harness; •suffer when left alone. Sometimes they adapt - they sleep during the day, and play and communicate with family members in the morning and evening. Without attention, care and attention can withdraw - they can begin to hide under furniture and use the cushioned spaces as a toilet. Another option is to keep themselves busy by playing with household items and damaging things.
Breeders advise getting a pair of Bengals if they have to do without human company for a long time. Then the animals do not leave their state of comfort and do not destroy household items.
A cat is like a leopard breed, only outwardly similar to a wild animal. Hybrids have 15–20% wild genes, which determine only behavioral characteristics - a love of water, climbing and hunting-style games. Affection and attention to the new pet will provide a friendly companion, affectionately attached to family members.
Bengal cat. Huntress.
Exceptions are cases when the kitten is left to its own devices, is not accustomed to being handled, or is being punished. Such an animal will begin to experience not attachment to the family, but fear and depression and will be useless as a producer. Breeders testify that psychological trauma can only be corrected in young animals no older than 1–1.5 years.
The oldest bred breed in the world is the Egyptian Mau.
She continues the list. The main features, in addition to color, are emerald-colored eyes, their “outline” with a black outline and the scarab mark on the forehead. In addition to gold, there are silver, smoky, bronze and pewter colors. A slender and graceful pet with an independent and balanced disposition will suit those people who spend a lot of time at home and also like to have a heart-to-heart chat with cats.
A little phlegmatic, but never ceasing to be beloved pets, the Scots and the British also have the color of a “wild animal” and have all the features inherent only to domestic animals. These are calm and sedentary couch potatoes, sleepyheads and simply lazy people who prefer to sleep over all types of activity. Their American relative, the Kutshaar (American shorthair), is also included in this category. On Avito they offer to buy these animals for 4 thousand or more rubles, and an overseas comrade for 10-15 thousand rubles.
Presented publicly in 1982, the short-haired European cat in the “silver tabby” color has since then enjoyed popularity, and at the same time has not lost its hunting habits. Such a pet can be purchased for 7,000-10,000 rubles.
Gaming potential
A leopard-like cat is always ready to play and at any age. Innate intelligence helps Bengals learn funny and sometimes catastrophic techniques: •understand and carry out commands such as fu, come to me, here; •trained - bring slippers, catch and return the ball; • study and repeat the actions of the owners, as a result they are able to open and close door latches, taps, and flush the toilet repeatedly. The play potential should be taken into account when leaving pets alone at home, because after opening the water, the cat will not necessarily want to close the tap.
Bengal cat in the bath
Maine Coon is also available in leopard print
This raccoon cat is the pride of American catteries, for decades being the world's largest cat breed (weight up to 16 kg, size up to 1.5 meters). The Maine Coon is an excellent hunter with a friendly and calm character. In the specified colors it can be bought from an advertisement for 15 thousand, but the pedigree is not indicated.
The independent Siberian cat (Siberian breed), known since the time of the development of the territory of the same name, often has a leopard color, is famous for its famous fluffy coat and character, suitable for keeping in almost any environment, preferably in the north. Cost – 5 thousand and above.
New, experimental breeds, not very common and therefore expensive are:
The Californian shining cat is not wild, on the contrary, it combines Manx, Siamese, Angora, Abyssinian, and British Shorthair. This is a symbol of the wild cats of Africa that are being destroyed by people. Created by Paul Casey, screenwriter. Friendliness, intelligence, and quick wit are combined with undemandingness and silence in these cats. Tabby color is available in 8 variations - gold, silver, red, blue, bronze, brown and black. The cost of the shining Californian cat is high ($1,500-$2,000); it is currently sold only in the United States; the exclusive product is not available to everyone.
Tiger cat: description of the species
The tiger cat, oncilla, lives in subtropical humid and mountain forests. The species can be found in Panama, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Argentina. There are three main subspecies of the brindle wild cat:
- 1. Northern tiger (tigrillo) - lives in northern Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana.
- 2. Southern brindle - inhabits the territories of southern Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay.
- 3. Leopard spotted - can be found in western Venezuela, Ecuador.
They differ in the length of fur hairs, color tone and pattern saturation. Another subspecies lives in Australia - the marsupial tiger cat. It is unpretentious to environmental conditions, hunts small animals, and often attacks poultry.
Oncilla is a night hunter. Its diet is based on non-venomous species of snakes, various amphibians, small birds and rodents. Sometimes small species of monkeys and their young can become prey for wild cats. The female's pregnancy lasts 2.6 months and ends with the birth of 1-3 kittens. In the third week their eyes open. By the age of two years, small tigers are ready to mate.
The wild tiger cat - oncilla - is considered the smallest among other representatives of the cat family, but slightly larger than its domesticated tribesmen. Oncilla length is on average about 60–65 cm, weight – up to three kilograms. The head is round, the muzzle is elongated. Erect ears are medium in size, covered with light fluff inside, the outer surface of the ears is black. The eyes are large, light brown in color with narrow vertical pupils. The tail is short, about 40 cm, of medium density. The legs are high, the front legs are shorter than the hind legs.
The coat of a tiger cat is short, soft, yellow-gray in color with stripes closed in rings. The predominant color on the abdomen and chest is white, on the muzzle there are white spots and black stripes, the back and sides are decorated with dark stripes of various shapes. Short black stripes are clearly visible on the tail.
Keeping at home
The tiger cat does not show aggression towards people, but few people have succeeded in turning a wild animal into a domestic cat. A tiger cat will never be a cute pet. The animal loves solitude, is very active at night, has increased jumping ability, during the day it tries to hide on some hill, and has long, sharp claws. Due to their behavioral characteristics, a suitable place for keeping an oncilla will be a spacious enclosure, in which conditions will be created that are close to the natural environment familiar to these animals.
The daily diet of a wild cat should include:
- meat, preferably fresh beef;
- mineral supplements;
- vitamins.
Feeding occurs once a day. Once a week there is a fasting fasting day. To keep the animal healthy, a schedule of maintenance, nutrition, and observation by a veterinarian is drawn up.
The tiger cat is a very rare species, so it can only be purchased by pre-order. Kittens are expensive. The cost depends on the subspecies of the animal, the color of the fur and the pattern on it. You can find out the price of the animal at the nursery; the kittens are raised there under the supervision of specialists, vaccinated, and passports are made for them.
Wild kazonzo from Africa
Or wild and domesticated a second time became the progenitors of the soukok or sokoke, also known as the Kenyan forest cat. Danish breeder Jenny Slator got Sokoke approved in 1992. Basically, all cats are leopard color, marbled is the most common. They are excellent hunters, independent and willful, but get along well with both humans and other pets. The rarity also determines the high cost - 80-100 thousand rubles, not including the cost of transportation from Europe.
The Ussuri cat appeared relatively recently through natural means from Siberian and Amur representatives. It was registered as an experimental breed in 1994, but even now Ussuri cats have not become widespread. The color is always tabby, from fawn to golden tones. The pet has the habits of a wild predator with an independent and independent disposition; pride prevents him from becoming a full member of his environment, so he prefers loneliness. It is difficult for him to endure the company of children; he remains loyal to only one owner. The price of a freedom-loving cat is from 50 thousand rubles.
Another leopard pet is the Australian smoke cat, Mist. Sydney breeder Trude Street, whose selection work included Burmese, Siamese and Abyssinian, as well as ordinary non-pedigreed cats, can be proud of its work. There are a lot of colors, but the most common is tabby. Mist has excellent health, combining dignity and grace. The Australian Smoky is not yet recognized throughout the world and is poorly distributed, but with its loyalty, agility and energy it is popular among cat fans. A PET class kitten costs $400.
Pixiebob
Representatives of the pixie bob breed resemble a lynx in appearance. The exact origin of the breed is not determined. According to one version, breeders crossed wild short-tailed forest cats with domestic ones.
These medium-sized cats have tufted ears and a short tail. Their head is pear-shaped with a strong chin and sideburns. The body is powerful, with protruding shoulder blades, a wide chest and a slightly saggy belly. The paws are elongated, the toes are large, and sometimes there are multiple toes.
The pixie bob's color may vary depending on the season. Their fur is fluffy and water-repellent. These cats are active and playful. Mini-lynxes have high intelligence and are very attached to humans.
