This document provides information on various feline species. It discusses 20 different cat species, including the domestic cat, margay, jaguarundi, caracal, kodkod, black-footed cat, bobcat, oncilla, cougar, cheetah, jaguar, lion, tiger, snow leopard, ocelot, marbled cat, serval, African golden cat, jungle cat, and leopard. For each species, it provides details on their physical characteristics, habitat, conservation status, and taxonomy.

1. Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation
ON AUTONOMOUS STATUS
Basic Education Department
Secondary School Level
Lucena City, Philippines

3. Felidae is the biological family of the cats; a member of this
family is called a felid. The most familiar felid is the domestic cat, which
first became associated with humans about 10,000 years ago; but the
family includes all other wild cats, including the big cats.
Extant felids belong to one of two subfamilies: Pantherinae (which
includes the tiger, the lion, the jaguar, and the leopard), and Felinae which
includes the cougar, the cheetah, the lynxes, the ocelot, and the domestic
cat.

6. The domestic cat (Felis catus or
Felis silvestris catus) is a small, usually
furry, domesticated, and carnivorous
mammal. It is often called the housecat
when kept as an indoor pet. Cats are
often
valued
by
humans
for
companionship and their ability to hunt
vermin and household pests.
Cats are similar in anatomy to
the other felids, with strong, flexible
bodies, quick reflexes, sharp retractable
claws, and teeth adapted to killing small
prey. Cat senses fit a crepuscular and
predatory ecological niche. They can see
in near darkness. Like most other
mammals, cats have poorer color vision
and a better sense of smell than
humans.

7. The Margay (Leopardus wiedii)
is a spotted cat native to the Americas.
Named after Prince Maximilian of WiedNeuwied, it is a solitary and nocturnal
animal that prefers remote sections of
the rainforest. Although it was once
believed to be vulnerable to extinction,
the IUCN now lists it as "Near
Threatened". It roams the rainforests
from Mexico to Argentina. They are
hunted mainly for their fur and this has
resulted in a large population decrease,
they average at around 14,000 killed a
year. The loss of habitat they suffer
from is also a significant part of this
decline.

8. The jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi syn. Herpailurus yagouaroundi), also
called eyra cat, is a small-sized wild cat native to Central and South America. In
2002, the IUCN classified the jaguarundi as 'Least Concern', although they
considered it likely that no conservation units beyond the mega reserves of the
Amazon basin could sustain long-term viable populations. It is probably extinct in
Texas. Its presence in Uruguay is uncertain.
In some Spanish-speaking countries, the jaguarundi is also called gato
colorado, gato moro, león brenero, onza, tigrillo, and leoncillo. It is also called
gato-mourisco, eirá, gato-preto, and maracajá-preto in Portuguese. Jaguarundi
comes from Old Tupi yawaum'di.

9. The caracal, also known as the desert lynx, is a wild cat that is widely
distributed across Africa, central Asia and southwest Asia into India. In 2002 the
IUCN listed the caracal as Least Concern as it is widespread and relatively
common. The felid is considered threatened in north Africa, and rare in the central
Asian republics and India. The German naturalist Johann Christian Daniel von
Schreber first described Felis caracal in 1776 from a specimen collected from Table
Mountain, South Africa, which is considered the type locality of the species. The
generic name Caracal was first used by the British naturalist John Edward Gray in
1843 on the basis of a type specimen collected near the Cape of Good Hope

10. The kodkod (Leopardus guigna), also called guiña, is the
smallest cat in the Americas and also has the smallest distribution,
being found primarily in central and southern Chile and marginally
in adjoining areas of Argentina. In 2002, the IUCN classified the
kodkod as Vulnerable as the total effective population size may be
fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, with a declining trend due to
habitat and prey base loss and persecution, and no subpopulation
having an effective population size larger than 1,000 mature
breeding individuals.

11. The black-footed cat (Felis nigripes) is the smallest African
cat, and is endemic in the south west arid zone of the southern African
subregion. It is one of the lesser studied African carnivores, and is
listed as Vulnerable by IUCN since 2002. Only the pads and underparts
of its feet are black, which gives the black-footed cat its name. The
fur varies in color from cinnamon-buff to tawny, and is patterned with
black or brown spots that merge to form rings on the legs, neck, and
tail. The skin, however, is unpigmented pink, unlike that of other
spotted cats. The backs of the rounded ears are the same color as the
background coat color. The eyes are very large.

12. The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is a North American mammal of the
cat family Felidae, appearing during the Irvingtonian stage of around
1.8 million years ago (AEO). With 12 recognized subspecies, it ranges
from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the
continental United States. The bobcat is an adaptable predator that
inhabits wooded areas, as well as semidesert, urban edge, forest
edges, and swampland environments. It persists in much of its original
range, and populations are healthy.

13. The oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus), also known as the little spotted cat,
tigrillo, or tiger cat, is a small spotted felid found in the tropical rainforests
of Central and South America. It is a close relative of the ocelot and the
margay, and has a rich ochre coat, spotted with black rosettes. The oncilla is
a nocturnal animal that hunts rodents and birds.
The oncilla resembles the margay and the ocelot, but is smaller, with
a slender build and narrower muzzle. It grows to 38 to 59 centimetres (15 to
23 in) long, plus a 20 to 42 centimetres (7.9 to 17 in) tail. While this is
somewhat longer than the average domestic cat, Leopardus tigrinus is
generally lighter, weighing 1.5 to 3 kilograms (3.3 to 6.6 lb).

14. The cougar (Puma concolor), also known as the mountain lion, puma,
panther, mountain cat, or catamount, is a large cat of the family Felidae
native to the Americas. Its range, from the Canadian Yukon to the southern
Andes of South America, is the greatest of any large wild terrestrial mammal
in the Western Hemisphere. An adaptable, generalist species, the cougar is
found in most American habitat types. It is the second heaviest cat in the
Western Hemisphere, after the jaguar. Solitary by nature and nocturnal, the
cougar is most closely related to smaller felines and is nearer genetically to
the domestic cat than true lions.

15. The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large feline (family Felidae,
subfamily Felinae) inhabiting most of Africa and parts of the Middle East. It is
the only extant member of the genus Acinonyx. The cheetah can run faster
than any other land animal— as fast as 112 to 120 km/h (70 to 75 mph) in
short bursts covering distances up to 500 m (1,600 ft), and has the ability to
accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in three seconds. This cat is also
notable for modifications in the species' paws. It is one of the few felids with
semi-retractable claws. The word "cheetah" is derived from the Sanskrit word
citrakāyaḥ, meaning "variegated", via the Hindi (cītā).

16. The jaguar (Panthera onca) is a big cat, a feline in the Panthera
genus, and is the only Panthera species found in the Americas. The jaguar is
the third-largest feline after the tiger and the lion, and the largest in the
Western Hemisphere. The jaguar's present range extends from
Southwestern United States and Mexico across much of Central America and
south to Paraguay and northern Argentina. Apart from a known and possibly
breeding population in Arizona (southeast of Tucson), the cat has largely
been extirpated from the United States since the early 20th century.

17. The lion (Panthera leo) is one of the four big cats in the genus
Panthera and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding
250 kg (550 lb) in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger.
Wild lions currently exist in sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia (where an
endangered remnant population resides in Gir Forest National Park in India)
while other types of lions have disappeared from North Africa and Southwest
Asia in historic times. Until the late Pleistocene, about 10,000 years ago, the
lion was the most widespread large land mammal after humans.

18. The tiger (Panthera tigris) is the largest cat species, reaching a total
body length of up to 3.3 m (11 ft) and weighing up to 306 kg (675 lb). Its most
recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange
fur with a lighter underside. It has exceptionally stout teeth, and the canines
are the longest among living felids with a crown height of as much as 74.5
mm (2.93 in) or even 90 mm (3.5 in). In zoos, tigers have lived for 20 to 26
years, which also seems to be their longevity in the wild.

19. The snow leopard (Panthera uncia or Uncia uncia) is a moderately
large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central Asia. The classification
of this species has been subject to change, and as of 2000, it is still
classified as Uncia uncia by MSW3. However, with more recent genetic
studies,the snow leopard is now generally considered as Panthera uncia and
classified as such by IUCN. Classically, two subspecies have been
attributed, but genetic differences between the two have not been settled.
The snow leopard is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as
globally Endangered (EN).

20. The ocelot (/ˈ
ɒsəlɒt/; Leopardus pardalis), also known as the dwarf
leopard, is a wild cat distributed extensively over South America including the
islands of Trinidad and Margarita, Central America, and Mexico. It has been
reported as far north as Texas. North of Mexico, it is found regularly only in
the extreme southern part of Texas, although there are rare sightings in
southern Arizona.

21. The marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata) is a small wild cat of South
and Southeast Asia. Since 2002 it has been listed as vulnerable by IUCN as it
occurs at low densities, and its total effective population size is suspected to
be fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, with no single population
numbering more than 1,000. The species was once considered to belong to
the pantherine lineage of "big cats". Genetic analysis has shown that it is
closely related with the Asian golden cat and the bay cat, all of which
diverged from the other felids about 9.4 million years ago.

22. The
Abyssinian
has
alert,
relatively large pointed ears. The head is
broad and moderately wedge shaped. Its
eyes are almond shaped and colors
include gold, green, hazel or copper. The
paws are small and oval. The legs are
slender in proportion to the body, with a
fine bone structure. The Abyssinian has a
fairly long tail, broad at the base and
tapering to a point. The Abyssinian's nose
and chin usually form a straight vertical
line when viewed in profile. A m-shaped
marking is often found in the fur on the
forehead. The m-shaped marking, also
called "frown lines," appears above the
Abyssinian's eyes. They can be colored
ruddy,
(usual),
chocolate,
sorrel
(cinnamon), blue,fawn, lilac or sexlinked; red, cream and tortoiseshell.
Abyssinians are medium sized cats. They
have strong, lithe bodies with long legs.

23. The African golden cat (Profelis aurata) is a medium-sized wild cat
distributed over the rainforests of West and Central Africa. It is about 80
centimetres (31 in) long, and has a tail of about 30 centimetres (12 in) in
length. It is a close relative of both the caracal and the serval, but current
classification places it as the only member of the genus Profelis.

24. The jungle cat (Felis chaus) is a medium-sized cat native to Asia
from southern China in the east through Southeast and Central Asia to the
Nile Valley in the west. It is listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species as it is widespread and common particularly in India.
Population declines and range contraction are of concern, particularly in
Egypt, in the Caucasus, and in southwestern, Central and Southeast Asia.

25. A lynx (/ˈ
lɪŋks/; plural lynx or
lynxes) is any of the four species within the
Lynx genus of medium-sized wildcats. The
name "lynx" originated in Middle English via
Latin from the Greek word "λύγξ", derived
from the Indo-European root "leuk-", meaning
"light, brightness", in reference to the
luminescence of its reflective eyes. There is
considerable confusion about the best way to
classify felids at present, and some
authorities classify them as part of the genus
Felis.
Neither the caracal, sometimes
called the Persian lynx or African lynx, nor
the jungle cat, called the swamp lynx, is a
member of the Lynx genus
The lynx has a short tail and
characteristic tufts of black hair on the tips
of its ears; large, padded paws for walking on
snow; and long whiskers on its face. Under its
neck, It has a ruff which has black bars, is not
very visible, and resembles a bow tie.

26. The leopard (Panthera pardus) is a member of the Felidae family
with a wide range in some parts of Africa and tropical Asia, from Siberia,
South and West Asia to across most of sub-Saharan Africa. It is listed as Near
Threatened on the IUCN Red List because it is declining in large parts of its
range due to habitat loss and fragmentation, and hunting for trade and pest
control. It is regionally extinct in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuwait, Syrian Arab
Republic, Libya and Tunisia.

27. The
sand
cat
(Felis
margarita), also known as the sand
dune cat, is the only felid found
primarily in true desert, and has a
wide
but
apparently
disjunct
distribution through the deserts of
northern Africa and southwest and
central Asia. Since 2002 this small
cat has been listed as Near
Threatened by IUCN due to concern
over potential low population size
and decline.
Sand cats are found in both
sandy and stony desert, living in
areas far from water. Having thickly
furred feet they are well adapted to
the
extremes
of
a
desert
environment,
and
tolerant
of
extremes
of
hot
and
cold
temperatures.

28. It is a strong yet slender animal, with long legs and a fairly short tail.
Due to its leg length, it is relatively one of the tallest cats. The head is small
in relation to the body, and the tall, oval ears are set close together. The
pattern of the fur is variable. Usually, the serval is boldly spotted black on
tawny, with two or four stripes from the top of the head down the neck and
back, transitioning into spots. The "servaline" form has much smaller, freckled
spots, and was once thought to be a separate species. The backs of the ears
are black with a distinctive white bar. In addition, melanistic servals are quite
common in some parts of the range, giving a similar appearance to the "black
panther" (melanistic leopard).

29. Puma (Puma concolor), also
called mountain lion, cougar, panther
(eastern U.S.), or catamount (archaic) ,
puma puma large brownish New World
cat comparable in size to the jaguar—the
only other large cat of the Western
Hemisphere. The puma, a member of
the family Felidae, has the widest
distribution of any New World mammal,
with
a
range
extending
from
southeastern
Alaska
to
southern
Argentina and Chile. Pumas live in a
variety of habitats, including desert
scrub, chaparral, swamps, and forests,
but they avoid agricultural areas,
flatlands, and other habitats lacking
cover (vegetative or topographic). Six
subspecies of Puma concolor are
recognized by most classifications.

30. The Burmese (Thai: RTGS: Suphalak meaning fortunate, beautiful,
and splendid appearance) is a breed of domesticated cats split into two
subgroups: the American Burmese and the British Burmese (and are not to be
confused with "Sacred Cat of Burma," in respect of which, see Birman). Most
modern Burmese are descendants of one female cat called Wong Mau, which
was brought from Burma to America in 1930. Most cat registries do not
recognize a split between the two groups, but those that do formally refer to
the type developed by British cat breeders as the European Burmese.

31. The flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps) is a small wild cat
patchily distributed in the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Borneo and Sumatra. Since
2008, it has been listed as endangered by the IUCN due to destruction of
wetlands in their habitat. It is suspected that the effective population size
could be fewer than 2,500 mature individuals, with no subpopulation having
an effective population size larger than 250 adult individuals.

32. The Manx cat, in earlier times often spelled Manks, is a breed of
domestic cat (Felis catus) originating on the Isle of Man, with a naturally
occurring mutation that shortens the tail. Many Manx have a small stub of a
tail, but Manx cats are best known as being entirely tailless; this is the most
distinguishing characteristic of the breed, along with elongated hind legs and
a rounded head. Manx cats come in all coat colors and patterns, though allwhite specimens are rare, and the coat range of the original stock was more
limited. Long-haired variants are sometimes considered a separate breed, the
Cymric.

33. The Persian is a long-haired breed of cat characterized by its round
face and shortened muzzle. Its name refers to Persia, the former name of
Iran, where similar cats are found.[dubious – discuss] Recognized by the cat
fancy since the late 19th century, it was developed first by the English, and
then mainly by American breeders after the Second World War. In Britain, it is
called the Longhair or Persian Longhair. The selective breeding carried out by
breeders has allowed the development of a wide variety of coat colors, but
has also led to the creation of increasingly flat-faced Persians.

34. Birmans have semi-long, silky hair, a semi-cobby body and relatively
small ears compared to other cat breeds and a Roman nose. In order to
comply with breed standards, the Birman's body should be of an eggshell
color or golden, depending on the intensity of the markings color. The
markings can be pure seal, chocolate, blue, red, lilac or cream. Tabby
variations are also allowed. Tortie cats can be seal, chocolate, blue or lilac.
Birmans have sapphire colored eyes.

35. The Highlander cat will steal your
heart with their fun loving nature and
crazy antics. This breed is extremely
affectionate, gentle and also very playful.
The Highlander cat loves to be the centre
of attention. They are a high energy cat
with an inquisitive nature. They love to
chase and play. This playful behaviour
helps build a powerful muscular body,
which is so characteristic of the
breed. Highlander Cats have a dog-like
disposition and are easily trained. They
are very intelligent and can be trained to
sit, fetch and to walk on a leash plus
much more.

36. The fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a medium-sized wild cat of
South and Southeast Asia. In 2008, the IUCN classified the fishing cat as
Endangered since they are concentrated primarily in wetland habitats, which
are increasingly being settled, degraded and converted. Over the last
decade, the fishing cat population throughout much of its Asian range
declined severely.

37. The Pampas cat (Leopardus pajeros) is a small feline from Argentina,
Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and possibly far southwestern Colombia. It is
named after the Pampas, but occurs in grassland, shrubland, and dry forest at
elevations up to 5,000 metres (16,000 ft). Pampas cats have not been studied
much in the wild and little is known about their hunting habits. There have
been reports of the cat hunting rodents and birds at night, and also hunting
domestic poultry near farms.

38. The Russian Blue is a cat breed that has a silver-blue coat. They are
very intelligent and playful, but tend to be shy around strangers. They
develop close bonds with their human companions and are sought out as pets
due to their personalities and coat. The Russian Blue has bright green eyes,
two layers of short thick fur, and a blue-gray coat. The color is a bluish-gray
that is the dilute expression of the black gene. The coat is known as a "double
coat," with the undercoat being soft, downy, and equal in length to the guard
hairs, which are an even blue with silver tips.

39. Pallas's cat is about the size of a domestic cat, its body is 46 to 65
cm (18 to 26 in) long and its tail is 21 to 31 cm (8.3 to 12 in) long. It weighs
2.5 to 4.5 kg (5.5 to 9.9 lb). The combination of its stocky posture and long,
dense fur makes it appear stout and plush. Its fur is ochre with dark vertical
bars on the torso and forelegs. The winter coat is greyer and less patterned
than the summer coat. There are clear black rings on the tail and dark spots
on the forehead. The cheeks are white with narrow black stripes running
from the corners of the eyes.

40. The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a cat found from the
Himalayan foothills through mainland Southeast Asia into China, and has been
classified as Vulnerable in 2008 by IUCN. Its total population size is suspected
to be fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, with a decreasing population
trend, and no single population numbering more than 1,000 adults.

41. A Savannah cat is a cross between a domestic cat and the serval, a
medium-sized, large-eared wild African cat. The unusual cross became
popular among breeders at the end of the 1990s, and in 2001 the
International Cat Association accepted it as a new registered breed. In May
2012, TICA accepted it as a championship breed. Savannahs are much more
social than typical domestic cats, and they are often compared to dogs in
their loyalty. They can be trained to walk on a leash and to play fetch.

42. Bengal breeder Judee Frank crossbred a male serval, belonging to
Suzi Woods, with a Siamese (domestic cat) to produce the first Savannah cat
(named Savannah) on April 7, 1986. Frank’s Savannah attracted the interest
of Patrick Kelley, who purchased one of Savannah's kittens in 1989. Kelley was
one of the first enthusiasts who worked towards establishing a new domestic
breed based on a serval/domestic cat cross. He approached many serval
breeders to help in the development of this new breed, and finally garnered
the help of breeder Joyce Sroufe to work with him in taking the steps needed
to have the new breed recognized.

43. The Ragdoll is a cat breed with blue eyes and a distinct colorpoint
coat. It is a large and muscular semi-longhair cat with a soft and silky
coat.[1]Developed by American breeder Ann Baker, it is best known for its
docile and placid temperament and affectionate nature. The name "Ragdoll"
is derived from the tendency of individuals from the original breeding stock
to go limp and relaxed when picked up.

44. The Maine Coon, also known as
American Longhair, is a breed of domestic
cat with a distinctive physical appearance
and valuable hunting skills. It is one of the
oldest natural breeds in North America,
specifically native to the state of Maine,
where it is the official state cat.
Although the Maine Coon's exact
origins and date of introduction to the United
States are unknown, many theories have
been proposed. The breed was popular in cat
shows in the late 19th century, but its
existence became threatened when longhaired breeds from overseas were introduced
in the early 20th century.

45. The Sphynx is a breed of cat known for its lack of a coat. The
contemporary breed of Sphynx is known also as the Canadian Sphynx, which is
distinct from the Russian Sphynx breeds like Peterbald andDon Sphynx.
Lack of coat makes the cat quite warm to the touch. Whiskers and
eyebrows may be present, either whole or broken, or may be totally absent.
The skin is the color their fur would be, and all the usual cat marking
patterns (solid, point, van, tabby, tortie, etc.) may be found on Sphynx skin.

46. The Munchkin is a relatively new
breed of cat characterized by its very
short legs, which are caused by a
naturally occurring genetic mutation. It
has been named after the "munchkin"
doughnut. Much controversy erupted over
the breed when it was recognized by The
International Cat Association in 1995 with
critics voicing concern over potential
health and mobility issues.

47. The Turkish Angora (Turkish: Ankara kedisi, 'Ankara cat') is a breed of
domestic cat. Turkish Angoras are one of the ancient, natural breeds of cat,
having originated in central Turkey, in the Ankara region (historically known
as Angora). The breed has been documented as early as the 1600s and is
believed to be the origin of the mutations for both the coloration white (the
dominant white gene is in truth the absence of color) and long hair. The
breed is also sometimes referred to as simply the Angora or Ankara cat.

48. The Scottish Fold is a breed of cat with a natural dominant-gene
mutation that makes its ear cartilage contain a fold, causing the ears to bend
forward and down towards the front of their head, which gives the cat what
is often described as an "owl-like" appearance.
Originally called lop-eared or just lops after the lop-eared rabbit, Scottish
Fold became the breed's name in 1966. Depending on registries, longhaired
Scottish Folds are varyingly known as Highland Fold, Scottish Fold Longhair,
Longhair Fold and Coupari.

49. The British Shorthair is a domesticated cat whose features make it a
popular breed in cat shows. It has been the most popular breed of cat
registered by the UK's Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) since 2001,
when it overtook the Persian breed.
British Shorthairs have dense, plush coats that are often described as
crisp or cracking, referring to the way the coat breaks over the contours of
the cat's body. Their eyes are large, round and widely set and can be a variety
of colours, though the copper or gold eyes of the British blue are the best
known.

50. The Siberian is a domestic cat breed that has been present in Russia
for centuries. A longer name of the breed is Siberian Forest Cat, but it is
usually referred to as the Siberian or the Siberian cat. Another name for it is
the Moscow Semi-longhair. The cat is an ancient breed that is now believed to
be ancestral to all modern long-haired cats. The cat has similarities with the
Norwegian Forest Cat, to which it is likely closely related. It is a natural breed
of Siberia and the national cat of Russia. While it began as a landrace, it is
selectively bred andpedigreed today in at least seven major cat fancier and
breeder organisations.

51. The Exotic Shorthair is a breed of cat developed to be a shorthaired
version of the Persian. The Exotic Shorthair is similar to the Persian in many
ways, including temperament and conformation, with the exception of the
short dense coat. It has even inherited much of the Persian's health problems.
The Persian was used as an outcross secretly by some American Shorthair
(ASH) breeders in the late 1950s to "improve" their breed.

52. The Himalayan (a.k.a. Himalayan Persian, or Colourpoint Persian as
it is commonly referred to in Europe), is a breed or sub-breed of longhairedcat identical in type to the Persian, with the exception of its blue eyes
and its point colouration, which were derived from crossing the Persian with
the Siamese. Like Persians more generally, the Himalayan tends to have a
round (cobby) body with short legs, which makes it harder for them to jump
as high as other cats do. Since the 1960s, however, some have more of a
Siamese-like body

53. The Chartreux is a rare breed of domestic cat from France and is
recognized by a number of registries around the world. It is not recognized by
the GCCF in the UK, ostensibly for being too similar to the British Shorthair,
one of whose colors is a similar blue-grey. The Chartreux is large and
muscular, with relatively short, fine-boned limbs, and very fast reflexes. They
are known for their blue (grey) water-resistant short hair double coats which
are often slightly nappy in texture (often showing "breaks" like a sheepskin)
and orange- or copper-colored eyes. Chartreux cats are also known for their
"smile": due to the structure of their heads and their tapered muzzles, they
often appear to be smiling. Chartreux are exceptional hunters and are highly
prized by farmers.

54. The toyger is a breed of domestic cat, the result of breeding
domestic shorthaired tabbies (beginning in the 1980s) to make them resemble
a "toy tiger", as its striped coat is reminiscent of the tiger's. The breed's
creator, Judy Sugden, has stated that the breed was developed in order to
inspire people to care about the conservation of tigers in the wild. It was
recognized for "Registration only" by The International Cat Association in the
early 1990s, and advanced through all requirements to be accepted as a full
Championship breed in 2007. There are now about twenty breeders in the
United States and another 15 or so in the rest of the world

55. The Norwegian Forest Cat is a breed of domestic cat native to
Northern Europe. This natural breed is adapted to a very cold climate, with
top coat of glossy, long, water-shedding hairs, and a woolly undercoat for
insulation. Although this is uncertain, the breed's ancestors may have been a
landrace of short-haired cats brought to Norway by the Vikings around 1000
AD, who may also have brought with them long-haired cats, like those
ancestral to the modern Siberian and Turkish Angora breeds.

56. The American Shorthair (ASH) is a breed of domestic cat believed to
be descended from European cats brought to North America by early settlers
to protect valuable cargo from mice and rats, not a great variety of mixed
breeds with short hair. According to the Cat Fancier's Association, in 2012, it
was the 7th most popular breed of cat in the United States

57. Bombay are a type of domestic shorthaired cats developed by
breeding sable Burmese and black American Shorthair cats to produce a cat of
mostly Burmese type, but with a sleek, tight black coat. The American cat
breed, named Bombay, was bred in 1958 in Louisville, Kentucky, when Nikki
Horner of Shawnee Cattery deliberately bred an American Shorthair with a
Burmese for the purpose of creating a domesticated cat that resembled a
"miniature black panther". This earned the Bombay the nickname "parlor
panther." American Bombays have copper or golden eyes, and a jet-black
coat. Occasionally, a Bombay kitten may be born sable colored or have a few
white hairs on the chest, ears, or, tail, because of its relation to the
Burmese.

58. Egyptian Maus are a small- to medium-sized short-haired cat breed.
Along with the Bahraini Dilmun Cat, they are one of the few naturally spotted
breeds of domesticated cat. The spots of the Mau occur on only the tips of
the hairs of their coat. The spotted Mau is an ancient breed from natural
stock; its look has not changed significantly as is evidenced by artwork more
than 3,000 years old.

59. Korats are a slate blue-grey short-haired breed of domestic cat with
a small to medium build and a low percentage of body fat. Their bodies are
semi-cobby, and surprisingly heavy for their size. They are intelligent,
playful, active cats and form strong bonds with people. Among Korats'
distinguishing characteristics are their heart-shaped heads and large green
eyes. They are one of a few breeds where individuals have only one color.

60. The Singapura is one of the smallest breeds of cats, noted for its
large eyes and ears, brown ticked coat and blunt tail. Reportedly established
from three "drain cats" imported from Singapore in the 1970s, it was later
revealed that the cats were originally sent to Singapore from the US before
they were exported back to the US. Investigations by the Cat Fanciers'
Association (CFA) concluded no wrongdoing and the Singapura kept its status
as a natural breed.

61. The Turkish Van is a longhaired breed of domestic cat with genetic
origins in modern Turkey. The breed is commonly believed[weasel words] to
be descended from the landrace of Van cats, mostly found near Lake Van,
though one of the two original breeders has stated that none of the original
cats used to found the formal breed came from the Van area. The breed is
thought[weasel words] to be rare, and is distinguished by the Vancolour
pattern, where the colour is restricted to the head and the tail, and the rest
of the cat is white; this is due to the expression of the piebaldwhite spotting
gene, a type of partial leucism

62. The Balinese is breed of domestic cat with long hair and Siamesestyle point coloration. It is also known as a Longhaired Siamese, since it is
essentially a mutation of the Siamese with a medium-length silky coat and a
plumed tail. The Balinese is extremely similar to the Javanese; all nonpointed Balinese cats are considered Javanese. They are known for their
gregarious natures.
Like the Siamese, the Balinese has a long, slim body, wedge-shaped
head, and vivid blue eyes. Its soft, ermine-like coat is short in comparison to
those of other long-haired cats, and doesn't form a ruff.

63. The European shorthair (or Celtic shorthair) is a breed of shorthaired cat originating in Sweden. It is a recently recognised breed,
established to preserve the naturally occurring cats that have lived in
European villages and cities for ages. Many people incorrectly refer to any
stray cat as a European Shorthair.
In terms of personality and appearance the European Shorthair is
comparable to ordinary domestic European short-haired cats. The European
Shorthair is a muscular, medium-sized to large cat, with a broad, wellmuscled chest. The strong legs are average length and the paws are round.
The tail is fairly thick at the base, tapering to a rounded point.

64. The first Somali cats appeared in the litters of Abyssinians as longhaired kittens. In the 1940s a British breeder named Janet Robertson
exported some Abyssinian kittens to Australia, New Zealand and North
America. Descendants of these cats occasionally produced kittens with long
or fuzzy coats. In 1963, Mary Mailing, a breeder from Canada, entered one
into a local pet show. Ken McGill, the show's judge, asked for one for
breedingpurposes.

65. The Ocicat is an all-domestic breed of cat which resembles a wild
cat but has no wild DNA in its gene pool. The breed is unusual in that it is
spotted like a wild cat but has the temperament of a domestic animal. It is
named for its resemblance to the ocelot. The breed was established from
Siameseand Abyssinian stock; later, American Shorthairs (silver tabbies) were
added to the mix and gave the breed their silver color, bone structure and
distinct markings.

66. The Devon Rex is a breed of
intelligent, short-haired cat that emerged in
England during the 1960s. They are known for
their slender bodies, wavy coat, and large
ears. These cats are capable of learning
difficult tricks. They are even known to
recognize their owner's name, just as they do
their own.
The curl in Devon Rex fur is caused by
a different mutation and gene than that of the
Cornish Rex and German Rex, and breeding of
a Devon with either of those cats results in
cats without rexed (curled) fur. Devons, which
are medium sized cats, are often called "pixie
cats" or "alien cats" because of their unique
appearance.

67. Ragamuffins are a muscular, heavy breed of cat needing
approximately four to five years to fully mature. The physical traits of the
breed include a rectangular, broad-chested body with shoulders supporting a
short neck. The head is a broad, modified wedge with a rounded forehead
and a nose dip. Ragamuffins come in all coat colors and patterns with a
medium-length coat that increases in length toward the stomach. Although
the coat is thick and plush, it does not readily mat or clump and is easy to
care for. Ragamuffins are bred to be sociable, affectionate, cuddly
companions that are playful throughout their lives.

68. The Oriental Shorthair is a breed of domestic cat, combining the
Siamese body type with a diversity of coat colors and patterns. The breed is
recognized as such (since 1977) by the United States-based but
internationally open Cat Fanciers' Association and (since 1997) the United
Kingdom-based Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), and various other
cat breeding organizations. While the breed's genetic roots are ultimately
inThailand, the breed was formally developed principally in the US. The
breed is among the most popular among CFA members

69. A Cornish Rex is a breed of domestic cat. The Cornish Rex has no hair
except for down. Most breeds of cat have three different types of hair in
their coats: the outer fur or "guard hairs", which is about 5 cm long in
shorthairs and 10 cm+ long in longhairs; a middle layer called the "awn hair";
and thedown hair or undercoat, which is very fine and about 1 cm long.
Cornish Rexes only have the undercoat. The curl in Cornish Rex fur is caused
by a different mutation and gene than that of the Devon Rex. It originates
from Cornwall, England.

70. The Japanese Bobtail is a breed of domestic cat with an unusual
"bobbed" tail more closely resembling the tail of a rabbit than that of other
cats. The variety is native to Japan and Southeast Asia, though it is now found
throughout the world. The breed has been known in Japan for centuries, and
it frequently appears in traditional folklore and art.