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With somewhere between 40 and 70 recognized cat breeds (depending on the registrar you ask) in the market, the domestic cat now has more diversity within its species than ever before. From different coat patterns, colors, lengths and textures to different head and eye shapes, let’s take a look at some of the most incredible types of exotic cats you can own!
While many of the breeds on this list are hybrid breeds, not all of them have feral cat genes per se. Some, like the Ocicat and Toyger, are domesticated breeds bred just to look exotic, while others are more closely related to jungle cats, servals, Asian leopard cats, and more.
1. Ocicat
Named for how much it resembles an ocelot, the Ocicat actually has no wild cat DNA in its gene pool! In reality, Ocicats are a mixture of the Siamese, American Shorthair and Abyssinian breeds. However, that doesn’t stop this unique breed from being highly coveted and valued by cat lovers everywhere.
The first thing you notice about the Ocicat is its beautifully patterned coat. A total of 12 different coat color variants are recognized by most big cat registries, but the large, distinctly round and uniform spots are always present. The first Ocicat, called Tonga, was accidentally produced in 1964 by breeders hoping to get an Abypoint Siamese cat.
Despite their considerable size and athletic, muscular appearance, the Ocicat is actually very gentle, loyal and curious. These traits, along with the cat’s beautiful coat and large, pronounced facial features, have cemented her presence not only at cat shows around the world, but also in the hearts of cat hobbyists.
2. Chausie
As you might have guessed from his large size and wild-looking characteristics, the Chausie is a hybrid breed through and through. Researchers believe that the basis of this breed, the result of breeding domestic cats with wild jungle cats, has been around for thousands of years! Despite this, the Chausie was not really refined by breeders or recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA) until 1995.
In appearance, Chausies are large but slender, with long legs and striking, angular features. The coat is short, wiry and dense and TICA currently recognizes three different coat colors. These variations are brown ticked tabby, black grizzled tabby and solid black. The Chausie’s eyes are large and round, usually gold, yellow, or light green in color.
The cheerful temperament of this type of exotic cat also makes it a popular choice among cat owners. Highly intelligent, energetic and curious, Chausies are a playful group, but they are also very loyal and affectionate towards their owners.
3. Savannah Kat
The Savannah Cat is one of the more expensive hybrid breeds, and for many good reasons! Like a unique blend of African serval and house cat DNA, these cats are slender, graceful and absolutely stunning in appearance. While best known for their spotted coats and long, wide ears, these cats are also popular for their intelligent and confident personalities.
Surprisingly, the Savannah Cat’s roots are quite recent. The breed was originally created in 1986 when a female domestic cat was bred with a male serval. The resulting kitten had a stunning mix of serval and domestic cat traits, and other breeders quickly noticed! Finally, after years of selective breeding and refinement, TICA finally officially recognized the breed for registration in 2001.
As you might imagine, the Savannah Cat’s temperament matches its exotic appearance perfectly. Extremely smart and active, yet loyal and affectionate, these “dog-like” cats have become very popular and in high demand since the breed’s inception.
4. Egyptian Mau
While the Egyptian Mau’s spotted coat might lead you to believe it has wild genes like some of the other exotic cat species on our list, this cat is actually more closely related to the Maine Coon, Turkish Angora, and Korat domestic varieties. There is quite a bit of mystery surrounding the true origin of this breed. However, historians believe that the ancestors of the breed were worshiped by ancient Egyptian royalty!
As their appearance suggests, Egyptian Maus are extremely athletic, with lots of lean muscles and long, flexible legs. They are by far the fastest domestic cat breed, capable of reaching speeds of over 30 mph when breaking into a sprint! Active, intelligent and vocal, Egyptian Maus make excellent family pets – if you can keep up with their boundless energetic demeanor.
Most major cat registries recognized the breed and granted it championship status in 1968, although even today they are extremely rare and hard to find if you want to adopt one of your own. With his naturally spotted coat and excitable yet loyal temperament, expect to spend quite a bit of time and money acquiring one of these beautiful cats.
5. Toyger
With its distinctive striped, tiger-like coat pattern, you’d be forgiven for mistakenly thinking that the Toyger has big cat DNA. In reality, however, the roots are much more mundane. The Toyger came about as the result of breeder Judy Sugden crossing several domesticated cats with striped “mackerel” fur in the early 1980s! Sugden created the breed primarily in hopes of encouraging cat lovers to care more about the conservation of tigers in the wild.
After several years of careful breeding, TICA accepted the Toyger breed for registration in 1993. The organization later fully recognized them as champion cats in 2007. Since then, cat enthusiasts have admired the breed for both its wild, tiger-like appearance and its outgoing, active and intelligent personality.
As with any unique fairly recently established breed, Toygers are rare. There are currently only seven known Toyger breeders in the US. Toyger kittens typical cost over $1,500 to over $3,500 each, but if you can get your hands on one, they make great pets!
6. Bengal
As a hybrid breed, the Bengal has Egyptian Mau, abyssinian, and Asian Leopard Cat ancestry. Breeder Jean Mill officially established the breed in the 1970s. However, historians have found evidence of people crossing Asian leopard cats with domestic cats as far back as 1889! TICA finally recognized this type of exotic cat in 1983 and granted it championship status in 1991. Most other big cat registries followed in the next decade.
The most notable feature of the Bengal is, of course, its leopard-spotted coat. However, cat lovers also admire the breed for its large, slender and muscular body and intelligent, energetic personality. Interestingly, like their Asian leopard cat ancestors, Bengal cats love water and are strong swimmers.
Bengal cats are now available in different coat colors. Most registration organizations currently recognize four distinct patterns: mackerel, ticked, blotched and spotted. Eye colors also vary, from shades of gold and green to more shades of orange and yellow.
7. Serengeti
The Serengeti is a cross between the aforementioned Bengal cat and the Oriental Shorthair breeds. Breeder Karen Sausman created this breed in the 1990s with the hope of developing a cat that resembled a serval, but without any (recent) wild cat DNA. These unique cats are tall and muscular, with equally sized, alert ears and a short, spotted coat.
While cat lovers certainly admire the Serengeti’s striking appearance, they also love the breed for its confident, friendly, and active personality. Serengeti cats are playful and talkative, and they use a range of sounds to communicate with their owners. They are also fast and athletic and will often use their strong, muscular legs to run and jump incredible distances.
Although they are a fairly new type of exotic cat, Serengeti cats are quite popular. While they are not quite a hybrid breed, they are just as in demand! It is common for Serengeti kittens to cost anywhere from $600 to over $2,000 each.
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