The Asian Leopard Cat
The Asian Leopard Cat is a small wild spotted cat, weighing about ten pounds. The general build of the Asian Leopard Cat (Felis Bengalensis) is similar to a normal domestic cat, but with somewhat longer legs and a longer back. They have a fairly small head with a short narrow muzzle, large eyes and a thick tail. Body length varies between 25-32 inches, and they weigh between 7-15 pounds. There are around ten sub-species all showing different variations in body color and can be found in southern Asia, across India, though China, Koria and the Soviet Far East. It can be also found on islands such a Sumatra, Philippines, Taiwan, Borneo, Bali and Java. Since the Asian Leopard cat dwells in so many regions they have aquired many different names such as the Javan cat, Wagati cat, Chinese cat or "money cat", because of the -so called- spots resembling Chinese coins. The Bengal The Bengal is a cross from the Asian Leopard Cat and the domestic cat. The most commonly used domestic crosses were the Abysinnian, Egyptian Mau and the Ocicat. This was done to preserve the effort of retaining the stunning beauty of the Asian Leopard Cat. The first three generations are called foundation cats. By the time they reach the fourth generation they are considered SBT which is the domestic cat resembling characteristics of the Asian Leopard Cat. The first documented cross between the Asian Leopard Cat and the domestic cat in the United States is recored in 1963 by Jean Mill. The Foundation Cat The first three generations of the breed are considered foundation cats. They require special attention in their care and handling. They have a beautiful feral wild beauty that makes them exotic and striking cats, but serious consideration should be given to their temperament when owning a foundation. The SBT The SBT are domesticated versions of the foundation cat. They make loving and intelligent housecats with normal litterbox habits. They are inquisitive, curious, cxplorative and entertaining. Some even enjoy playing in water. They enjoy both adults and children and adapt well to other household pets. They have the same nutritional and immunization requirements as regular domestic cats. Structure and Color Bengals are relatively large cats with a short haired coat. Males can range from 10-18 pounds and females 7-12 pounds. The face has a feral look with small rounded ears and exotic facial features. They come in a variety of colors and patterns. There are Spotteds and Marbleds and Rosetted patterns with colors ranging from Snow which are varying shade of white cream background with light brown pattern, to the Brown Tabby which is various degrees of ruffus, golden, light brown to black-brown colors, and the new accepted color the Silver which is a white back ground with a black pattern. There are various other degrees of colors not recognized by TICA and ACFA which are Blues, Chocolates and Reds. In Summation The Bengal Cat is a wonderful cat to own and love. They have wonderful temperments while retaing beautiful exotics feral patterns and characteristic that are unique to only the Bengal. Being owned by one of these beautiful cats can be an enjoyable experience.
Felis Chaus
Other Names in English:
Swamp Cat, Reed Cat
Discription: The Jungle Cats coat in general is a twany red, yellowish-grey to various shades of sandy brown. The underbelly is usually a lighter shade than the body and many times white. Males are bigger than females ranging between 16-35 pounds. The body can be clear of markings or have faints shades of ghost spotting. The legs and neck are marked with a darker color of leg banning and necklacing. The ears are tall and rounded with small lynx-like tufts. The back of the ears will be a darker shade with a lighter oceli or "thumb print". The tail will be a dark grey or black with some rings and ends at the back of the hocks making it a 3/4 length tail in comparison to domestic cats.
Average Dimensions: Head and Body (cm) 60-70 Height at Shoulder (cm) 35-38 Tail Length (cm) 22-30 Weight (lbs) 16-35
Habitats and Locations: The Jungle Cat has a wide range of habitat. It ranges from lower Egypt, Isreal, Jordon, Iraq, Iran and Asian Minor to Transcaucasia and north along the west coast of the Caspian Sea to the lower reaches of the Volga and east through Turkmenistan, Tadzhikistan and Kazakhstan to Chinese Turkestan, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Nepal and south through the Indian sub-continent. It can live in a diverse environment from swampy reed type grounds to arid mountains, woodlands, open plains, grassland and agricultural areas.
Diet: The Jungle Cats primary diet is small mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Reproduction: Jungle Cats normally have their litters in May with about 3-4 kittens in a nest of dry reeds and fur. The kittens are well camouflaged with a striped and spotted coat. Kittens are weened about 3 months of age and follow their mother around learning her hunting habits. By 6 months they are able to hunt and stalk their own prey. At 18 months they are fully matured into full grown Jungle Cat.
The Chausie
The Chausie is a new domestic cat breed with its foundation beginning with the first generation cross of a domestic cat and a wild feline species known as the Jungle Cat (Felis Chaus). From the first generation cross and progressing with several generations of domestic out crosses we bring the Chausie cat into being - a beautiful exotic domestic natured cat, with a remarkable resemblance to it wild ancestor. The Jungle Cat at first glance is a plain coated cat compared to many dramatic spotted species of wild cats in the world. Nevertheless, the Jungle Cat is especially unique in its looks. Most commonly the Jungle Cat is found to have a sandy to a golden brown wild ticked coat with dramatic black bands on the tops of the front legs and black eartufting adorning large mobile ears. The Jungle Cat also comes in black to black with silver-tip coloration which is different then the silvering found in domestic cat breeds. These unique features give this cat a very exotic appearance. The Jungle has a wide range of habitation varying from North Africa across the Middle East into Southeat Asia making them one of the more common smaller wild cats we have today. Chausies in the past have been nick named 'Nile Cats' because of their ancient Epyptian heritage and yet we know now that the Jungle Cat ancestor is found in several regions. Most of the Jungle Cats live in desert-like and arid mountain terrain, and are one of the largest amoung the smaller wild cats weighing 16-30 pounds. The Jungle Cat was also found in Egypt and held sacred amount the Pharoahs. The accompanies the pharoahs by hunting fowl and most likely help keep the rat population down as well. They grace the Egyptian statues which honor the goddess Bast. They have also been found mummified and entombed in Egypt. Chausie cats are TICA registered, and are a hybrid cross of at least one Jungle Cat ancestor and domestic cat. The TICA approved permissable domestic outcrosses are the Abbysinian and a Domestic Shorthair. When a domestic cat is bred to a Jungle Cat , this becomes the first generation hybrid, and this first generation is called an F-1 (foundation) cat. F mean 'Filial' and 1 means the first generation cross. The second generation is called and F-2 and the third generation F-3 and so forth. Male chausies born in the early generation are often sterile due to the mismatch in chromosone relationship, however the females remain fertile. Most F-1 Chausies should be owned and raised only by experienced breeders, or people who have considered the commitment involved with a pet having a higher percentage of wild blood. In the correct care and upbringing these cats can make a wonderful companions. I don't however recomend the F-1's for families with small children. Like all exotic cats, foundation cats mature at a different rate, and it has been noted that they become extremely bonded to a family or a person in the family that raises them. If a pet owner decides on an earlier generation cat, the must make the commitment to keep this cats for it's lifetime as rehoming a Chausie cat is particularly hard on the cat for an early generation hybrid. Chausies structurely retain the tall, leggy, long-bodied look of the Jungle Cat, mimicking its lean and agile physique. The Chausies head is of medium size and has a modified wedge shape, with a long square muzzle and strong chin. Their medium to large ears are set upright and are wide at the base, tapering slightly into rounded tips which are ideally tipped with Lynx like tufts. Chausies have long legs built for running, and thier large powerful hind quarters attest to their tremendous leaping ability. The Chausie tail can range from the desired 3/4 length, which falls right behind the hocks like the Jungle Cat, or full length. Chausies in general are medium to large cats. Sometimes the earlier generation cats will have more size. but generations in proportion should give the appearance of being tall and athletic. The Chausie has great intellegence, feral grace and agility. They are highly affectionate and have dog-like devotion. They are actively inquisitive and like to interact with their owners and surroundings. They have a non-stop enthusiasm for play which make a delightful companion. Most have good litter box habits and can eat high quality cat foods. There is something special and unique about being owned by a Chausie. |
