Cat Breeds

European Wildcat

All members of the genus Felis, subgenus Felis, have to a certain extent a complex relationship with each other. Felis Silvestris, the European Wildcat, which first evolved about 600,000 years ago in central Europe (where, incidentally, it can still be found today) is the parent species.

Felis Silvestris, being slightly larger than our domestic cat (Felis Cattus), is dependant upon its' finely honed hunting skills for survival in an often harsh and unforgiving environment. During the Second Ice Age the European Wildcat extended its' domain south into Africa and east into Asia. When the ice finally began to recede, the sea levels rose, and climates changed. These transient species became isolated from one another by water, deserts, and mountains.

As time passed, isolated subspecies evolved such as the Sand Cat, the African Wildcat, the Forest Cat, the Black-Footed Cat, and the Chinese Desert Cat. Other species evolved, but for one reason or another, they failed to survive. The species are further divided into subspecies (the wild counter-part) or breeds (the domesticated cat)... the two classifications being analogous (biologically... similar in function, but differing somewhat in structure) to each other.

Kodkod

Melanistic Kodkod

On the previous page I discussed the largest of the wild cat species, the Siberian Tiger. Now I would like to launch a brief but interesting discussion of the smallest of the wild cats, of which there are three distinct species.

In the Western Hemisphere, specifically Argentina and Chili, the Kodkod (also known as the Guigna) is the smallest wild felid, weighing in at 2.2 kg. or 4.8 lbs. when fully grown. The Kodkod, like some of its’ larger cousins, can be either brownish and spotted or melanistic (having an all over black coat with spotting beneath).

Kodkods feed on birds, small mammals, reptiles, and insects. Naturally reclusive, the Kodkod does not do well in areas inhabited by humans. Kodkods normally spend their days on the move or hunting, but they have been forced into foraging after dark in order to avoid human contact. Although they spend much of their time on the ground, these diminutive wild felids are also agile tree climbers.

Kodkods have a gestation period (the time between conception and birth) of about 10 weeks, and the average litter size is three to four kittens. In captivity, Kodkods have been known to live eleven years. However, survival in the wild almost always means shorter life spans.

Habitat destruction is responsible for the decline of Kodkod populations in the wild. Sadly, despite being fully protected in their home ranges, Kodkods are often hunted down and killed by farmers, because Kodkods have an appetite for chicken… which, unfortunately, is easy prey. Fortunately, because of their small size, Kodkods have not been hunted for their beautifully spotted pelts. In some areas of their natural habitat, Kodkods are even revered because they are adept rodent hunters.

In the Eastern Hemisphere, the Rusty Spotted Cat of India and Sri Lanka, and the Black Footed Cat of South Africa are the smallest of the wild felids. Weighing in at approximately 2.5 lbs. at maturity, these tiny wild cats are less than half the size of our average domestic cats.

The Rusty Spotted Cat has a grayish to brownish colored coat with small rusty colored spots that become solid stripes on its’ head and along its’ back. The under parts, including the chest and chin are white with rusty colored spots and stripes. Unfortunately, even though this cat is small, its’ beautiful spotted pelt has some value among the fur traders.

The Rusty Spotted cat is mainly nocturnal, which means they are active after dark (Did you notice they have large eyes?), and to some degree arboreal (tree dwelling). The greatest threat to the Rusty Spotted Cat populations is habitat destruction. These diminutive cats can be found roaming the dry grasslands, scrublands, and open forests of Central and Southern India, as well as the dense tropical upland forests of Sri Lanka. Oddly, some of these allusive little wild cats have been found living in very close proximity to humans.

Like their western cousins, these small wild felids hunt small mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and insects… and the occasional domestic chicken. Not much is known about the social structure of the Rusty Spotted Cat, but they are thought to be solitary… coming together only for breeding purposes. The females give birth to one to three kittens after a gestation period of about 67 days. The newly born kittens don’t sport the adult coat coloration right away.

Although the Rusty Spotted Cat is not yet officially considered “threatened” in the wild, several concerned wild animal preservation groups are monitoring the wild populations.

Rusty Spotted Cat

Black Footed Cat

Black Footed Cat

The Black Footed Cat of South Africa, specifically Botswana and Namibia, inhabits the steppe and savannah regions, where it hunts small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. This small wild felid is thought to be mainly nocturnal, arboreal, very anti-social, and quite fierce.

Black Footed Cats are also considered by some researchers to be water-independent… like the small desert-dwelling wild cats. Water-independent means that they derive their moisture from their diet, which may include grass, rather than by actually drinking water.

The Black Footed Cat was named for the black patches on the undersides of its' feet. Otherwise, they are light brown to reddish-yellow with dark spots on their bodies and wide dark rings on their upper legs.

Female Black Footed Cats don’t become sexually mature until they are 21 months old, almost twice the age of sexually mature domestic female cats. These little wild females give birth to one to three kittens after a gestation period of about 67 days. Their kittens are much more mature at birth than domestic kitten, and have been known to hunt mice by the time they are 45 days old. In captivity, the Black Footed Cat has been known to live more that 10 years.

Although not yet considered a “threatened” specie, the Black Footed Cat is considered rare and very limited in its’ distribution. As with the other small wild cats, their numbers in the wild are being monitored.

Jaguarundi of The Western Hemisphere

In the Western Hemisphere, specifically a few southern states, Mexico, and Central to South America, lives one of the most unusual looking of the small wild felids… the Jaguarundi. The Jaguarundi is also known as the “Otter Cat” due to its’ otter-like appearance.

Jaguarundis are about the size of a medium to large domestic cat with short, thick black, gray, or brownish-red fur. While other small wild felines sport black patches on the backs of their ears, the Jaguarundis’ ears are solid colored. Jaguarundis have short legs, long bodies, long, thick tails, and flat heads sporting small, rounded ears.

Jaguarundis are diurnal… they are one of the few small wild cats that are active during the daytime. Jaguarundis inhabit dry, dense scrublands, as well as forested areas and lowlands. The Jaguarundis’ diet consists of small mammals, birds, fish, and even fruit. They move about in quick, weasel-like motions and are adept tree-climbers, and great swimmers.

Although not really a social cat, Jaguarundis have been seen in pairs during the raising of offspring. Female Jaguarundis give birth to 1-4 kittens after a gestation period of about 75 days. The kittens are spotted, but the spots become a solid coat color as the kittens mature.

In the United States, Jaguarundis are considered endangered. They inhabit the southern-most parts of Texas and Arizona. A wild population of Jaguarundis exists in Florida, but they are descendants of Jaguarundis that were introduced by humans in the 1940’s. Because they are so elusive, it is unknown how many Jaguarundis inhabit the lower United States.

Jaguarundi

According to the latest Cat Poster, The Wonderful World of Cats... First Edition, published by the CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association) there are approximately 47 breeds of cats most of which are approved by the CFA. In the New Webster's Dictionary and Thesaurus a "breed" is described as a particular group of domestic animals related by descent from common ancestors, visibly similar in most characteristics and usually incapable of maintaining its' distinctive qualities in nature.

To simplify things here, the various breeds will be divided into three groups according to length of coat ...long-haired, short-haired, and no hair (yes, that's right... no hair). In order to conserve space only a few of the breeds from each group will be presented. If you don't see what you are looking for here or you need more information try the CFA. The CFA has an excellent web site in which each of the breeds, recognized by their organization, is profiled... including photos.

Let's begin with a most amazing breed... the cat with no hair.The Sphynx cat is a natural phenomenon... amazingly, the result of a naturally-occurring genetic mutation.

Actually, the Sphynx cat does have some hair... but its' hair is more like the soft fuzz on a peach or the velvety hair on a horse's muzzle.

Breeders of the Sphynx have employed selective breeding practices to insure a robust and genetically stable breed with very few health problems, but never the less, today the breed remains rare.