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The ancient Egyptians lived at a time when the relationship between humans and wild animals was much closer out of necessity. Of the jackal to the nile crocodile, the Egyptians used to recognize the important roles each played within an ecosystem and assign them appropriate roles as gods.
But cats had a special place in ancient culture Egypt. You can see it in the sheer numbers of the creatures’ temples and statues, as well as the cats mummified to go on to the next life. And it only makes sense. As Egypt developed into an important cradle of civilization, cats played an important role in regulating the populations of rats and other pests. And since agriculture was regulated by the cycles of the River Nile, their ability to defend granaries could mean the difference between a community starving or surviving.
Today, Egypt is widely recognized as the birthplace of the domestic cat. And while there are only a handful of breeds that can trace their origins to Egypt, these breeds are varied both in appearance and personality. These are the seven great Egyptians cat breeds exists today.
#1. African wild cat: the mother of all domestic cats
With an average height of just over two feet and facial features and body proportions that closely resemble the typical domestic breed, it would be easy to keep the African wildcat as a pet. But these cats are by no means tame, and there’s a reason they’ve managed to develop habitats that cover nearly all of Africa and extend all the way into the China and Mongolia. Their size certainly plays a role in this. taller African cats love lions and cheetahs have evolved in such a way that only big games like gazelles and wildebeest is a reasonable source for their nutritional needs.
The more compact African wildcat can hunt a variety of prey ranging from birds to lizards to insects. But rodents love mice, squirrels, and hares make up 80% of the African wild cat’s diet. Natural selection even prepares these wildcats for the dramatic fluctuations that usually occur in rodent communities. Their litter sizes are relatively large and common enough that many African wild cats can give birth more than twice a year. This ability to scale up their populations to quickly meet the populations of their prey species allowed them to fit elegantly into a niche among human communities.
The African wild cat is actually the ancestor of every domesticated cat on the planet, but don’t confuse them for pets. You can learn about its cousin – the European wildcat – here.
#2. Chausie: a mix of wild and domestic
While the details may be up for debate, the scientific community recognizes that feral cats have essentially domesticated themselves by adapting through natural selection to more appropriate environments created by humans. The Chausie is in a sense a deconstruction of traditional breeding practices, as it was bred as a fully domesticated cat that more closely resembled the earliest ancient Egyptian cat breeds. The result is one of the largest and wildest looking domesticated cats in the world. But instead of taking the direct ancestor of an African wild cat as a template, Chausies were bred from a relative known as the jungle cat.
Jungle cats are similar in size, build and habit to the African wildcat, and their lineage gives the Chausie a sturdy frame and a natural sense of athleticism. This allows these cats to easily reach 15 pounds and still maintain a healthy weight. And while they may have some of the physical traits of their jungle cat ancestors, their spirit is purely domestic. Consecutive breeding under abyssinians and other related domestic breeds has left these big cats with lively and sociable personalities.
#3. Shirazi: Rough diamonds
If the rumors are to be believed, the Shirazi is the result of a breeding between the short-snouted and the long-haired Persian cat up close Iran and the beautiful and athletic Egyptian Mau. The result is a breed not recognized by any cat lover in the west, but you don’t have to search hard to find them on the streets of a modern Egyptian city. Wild and lost communities are persistent in urban areas, and the Shirazi is often treated as a common pest.
That’s a heartbreaking flaw for a breed that deserves better. These skinny but well-built cats have inherited their personalities from the Egyptian Mau, and they really thrive in environments where they receive regular attention from a human caretaker. They are often goofy and lovable, but they have clever minds that can often get them into trouble. Their good looks usually come from their Persian side. Shirazi’s long coat is soft and luscious, but it also comes in a variety of colors and patterns that you won’t find on a traditional Persian. But what really stands out about these cats are their large, round and expressive eyes.
#4. Nile Valley Egyptian Cat: a stray cat with a serious lineage
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adherents of the Egyptian Nile Valley cat claim they are the “missing link” between the African wildcat ancestor and the fully domesticated cat.
The Egyptian Nile Valley cat did not receive recognition from the International Cat Association as an experimental breed until 2010. They are at the heart of a battle over the relationship between modern Egyptians and the modern feline communities that live alongside them. Identified as an indigenous breed of feral and stray cats found in the country’s major urban centers, some supporters of the breed claim they are the “missing link” between the African wildcat ancestor and the fully domesticated cat.
It’s only recently that breeders have been actively bringing these often feral cats in for breeding, and the government typically treats them as a pest. Shooting and poisoning are some of the most common methods of dealing with feral cat colonies, and these actions decimate a breed of cats that may not exist anywhere else in the world. These cats look quite similar to the Egyptian Mau, and some still believe that these Egyptian cat breeds are actually the same. But if nothing else, centering the Egyptian cat in the Nile Valley could help expose the broken system of wildlife rescue and control at work.
#5. Savannah Cat: Siam Meets Egypt
Although the Savannah cat was not first bred in Egypt, it closely resembles some ancient Egyptian cat breeds. Created by co-breeding with a wild African cat known as the serval immediately Siamese. Despite being completely feral cats, they were kept as a sign of prestige among the religious and aristocratic elite. Although they can’t weigh up to 25 pounds like a serval look, Savannah cats are large and muscular cats that can easily reach 15 pounds and be about a foot tall. But what stands out most are the unique spots that make the Savannah cat look like a tiny leopard in muted colors.
Savannah cats have inherited many of the Siamese’s personality traits. And while Siamese are often commented on with personalities like dogs, the Savannah cat applies that sense of personality to a cat practically the size of a dog. Close to their wild side, these cats have a strong prey instinct, although that can be trained without too much effort. These cats need quite a bit of attention and space to play and stretch their long bodies. They also need good socialization as they are known to be a little aloof with strangers.
#6. Abyssinian: an ancient breed
Abyssinians – like most Egyptian cat breeds on this list – have the appearance of feral cats, although they have been fully domesticated for 4,000 years. Whether these cats really came from Egypt is up for debate, as the name suggests they came from Ethiopia, and recent genetic testing makes a compelling case for India or Southeast Asia as the origin of the breed. But their striking resemblance to Egyptian cats as they appear in both contemporary art and mummies from ancient and classical Egypt.
They may be old, but these cats never got over their kittenish curiosity. Instead, they sharpen it with their great intelligence. These cats want to follow their caretakers as they check off every item on their daily to-do list and try to understand why. No other breed on the planet has managed to replicate the unique and beautiful coat of the Abyssinian, which is distinguished by overlapping ticked patterns of different colors. The cost of an Abyssinian can range from about $500 to $1500 for a cat that can compete in shows.
If you want to know more about the Abyssinian, keep going here.
#7. Egyptian Mau: a controversial choice
The Egyptian mau is the only domesticated cat to have spots naturally, but it may not actually be from Egypt. Recent DNA evidence has suggested that this breed could have its origins in: Europe instead, there’s no doubt that this strikingly athletic and tall cat closely resembles those found in relics from Egypt’s past. Their personalities also have a lot in common with other Egyptian cat breeds on this list. Smart, playful and athletic, these cats can be demanding but offer a lot in return.
Egyptian maus in particular is known for building a special relationship with one person. That’s not to say they can’t communicate with other people in the household. Maus are wary of strangers at first, although their hesitation will soon subside if they are properly socialized. Egyptian mau kittens have a steeper price tag than the Abyssinian: somewhere between $1,000 and $2,500.
The Egyptian mau’s ancestry may be in question, but you can learn everything else we know about this regal breed here.
Next one: Maine Coon vs Norwegian Forest Cat: Comparing These Giant Cat Breeds
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