Safari

Brief history of the breed

The breed was bred in the 70s of the last century by geneticists from the University of California. To obtain the hybrid, they used the South American Geoffroy cat, American shorthairs and Europeans.

The first experiments were unsuccessful due to the fact that the bred males were incapable of procreation.

Then breeders began to breed Geoffroy females with Bengal and Siamese cats. After many attempts, geneticists still managed to get kittens capable of reproducing offspring. In 1980, the new safari breed was registered with TICA as an experimental breed.

Cats

Although the breed of safari cats appeared not so long ago, it arouses keen interest among connoisseurs of such animals. And this is not surprising, because such pets have a very unusual appearance. The fact is that the safari cat breed has a curious origin, since it involved a hybrid of wild and domestic breeds of the cat family.

It should be noted that today there is absolutely no reliable information about which representative of the species of domestic animal such a pet belongs to. However, there is accurate information about a wild cat that donated its genes to breed a new species of an exotic nature. It was a breed of large cats leading a wild lifestyle, which was called Geoffroy. Today they inhabit the territory of South America.

The new safari breed showed its first specimens in the 70s of the last century. They were so amazing that specialists - felinologists - immediately became interested in them. The place where this event occurred was the United States of America. Most of the offspring were adopted into families as pets, and the remaining number were sent to the University of Washington Medical School for the purpose of conducting research to identify leukemia.

At the present time, the safari cat breed, photos of which can be viewed on a specialized web resource, has not received due recognition from leading felinological organizations. However, they have already successfully completed preliminary registration with TISA. Now the breed is only at the stage of its active development and is quite small in number. However, after a few years, it will definitely gain recognition at the world level.

External features

Safari is believed to be the result of a skillful cross between Geoffroy and a domestic cat. As a result of this, she was given a truly unusual appearance, in particular the leopard color. In most cases, the safari cat breed is a medium-sized cat with a robust build. Their body is endowed with elongated and muscular characteristics, having a deep chest, toned abdomen and a strong, flexible back.

The safari head has a wedge shape that is long rather than wide. Its outlines are quite sharp, and the “corners” are rounded. Their bases are very wide and their tips are slightly rounded. The ears of a safari cat, for which you can ask its owner for a photo, are set high and close together. They are surprisingly highly mobile, like locators. This feature was passed on to this animal by Geoffroy's ancestor, because wild cats were endowed with much more mobile ears than domestic ones and could turn them more than 180 degrees. This quality helps wild cats in quickly and efficiently tracking down prey.

The eyes of a safari cat, the price of which is always considered quite high, are not very large in size. They appear almond-shaped or oval-shaped and widely spaced. The eyes of such a pet must have a rich, uniform color without inclusions. Their most common shade is yellow, amber, green or light brown, which should harmonize well with the color of the safari coat.

The limbs are long, strong, the tail is long and mobile. The safari has short fur. The main and only recognized color of the safari is the tabby in four color variants: black spotted tabby (rich black markings on a warm cream or sandy background of the main color), black silver tabby, classic black and black smoky tabby.

Psychological description

With a menacing and fearsome appearance, this breed has a completely domestic character. Therefore, safari cat food must contain products intended for domesticated wild cats. They have a balanced disposition and easily communicate with other pets, new people and children in the house.

Organization of maintenance and care

Anyone who decides to buy a safari cat should know that it needs a lot of space. That’s why she simply needs frequent and long walks outside. An aviary located at the back of a country house, where there is an opportunity to hunt rodents, is considered an ideal place to live. The breed of safari cats, whose photos often adorn many magazines, take care of their fur themselves. Their diet should consist of meat and fish.

Interesting Facts

Although the safari cat appeared relatively recently, a lot of interesting things have already happened to it:

1. Representatives of the hybrid breed are still the subject of heated debate. According to many authoritative experts, there are no fundamental differences between the descendants of Geoffroy’s wild cat and Bengals. This means that they should not be recognized as an independent variety.
2. The name of the breed was selected based on coat color. At first, they planned to call the hybrid cats “Criollo” or “Appaloosa.” But then they changed their minds because these words are associated with horses. Afterwards the choice fell on “safari”, since the spotted colors resemble the African savannahs and the wild cats living there.

Cat breeds with photos

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Safari (English: Safari cat) is a rare hybrid cat breed, bred in the United States in early 1970 by crossing the wild South American Geoffroy cat and domestic short-haired cats. The rarity of this breed is evidenced, for example, by the fact that there are very few photographs of these cats. It is estimated that there are no more than 70 individuals in the world registered by the International Cat Fanciers' Association (TICA). That's why the Safari is called the "Rolls Royce" of a number of exotic breeds that are hybrids of wild and domestic cats. The most famous hybrid breeds are the Bengal, Chausie and Savannah. A lesser-known hybrid of wild and domestic cats is, for example, the Alpine Lynx.

Safari is a cross between a male Geoffroy's cat and short-haired cats of various breeds (depending on the desired characteristics of the offspring). Sometimes a Geoffroy cat and a domestic Bengal cat are used for crossbreeding.

The Safari breed was developed in early 1970. She was bred in the 1970s to use cats bred as part of Washington State University's feline leukemia research program. Similar studies on this feline cancer have also been conducted on the Asian Leopard Cat, the wild ancestor of the domestic Bengal cat, as this wild cat is supposedly partially immune to feline leukemia.

However, due to difficulties encountered during the breeding program, interest in these cats soon waned. However, the enormous success of the domestic Bengal cat, introduced in 1975, marked a resurgence of public interest in exotic (i.e. hybrid) breeds and prompted a resumption of the safari cat breeding program.

One of their direct ancestors, a small wild South American Geoffroy cat, corresponding in size to a male large domestic cat (depending on gender: body length with head (up to 60 cm) + tail length (up to 30 cm) with a weight of 2 to 7 kg ), is a relative of the ocelot. At the same time, Geoffroy's cats, which are found in the northern part of South America, usually have a yellow-brown coat color, and those living in its southern part are gray.

The problem with crossing a wild cat with a domestic cat was that Geoffroy's cat has 36 chromosomes, while the domestic cat has 38.

One important feature should be noted. Apparently, the first generation hybrids (F1 hybrids) have a “calm” temperament. Thus, breeders working at the American cattery Select Exotics say that they are “charmingly noble creatures.” It is clear that this aspect is important to safari buyers. Therefore, this nursery sells F1 hybrids. According to his employees, in such offspring the features of Geoffroy’s wild cat are manifested by 50%, although the goal of selection (due to the greatest popularity) is hybrids that are as close in characteristics as possible to their wild ancestor (up to 75%). The fact is that some safari buyers want to have at home the wildest possible animal with the temperament of a domestic cat.

At the same time, it seems that the more wild blood is present in the F1 hybrid, the larger the size it reaches (the body weight of a safari, in which 75% of the blood of the wild ancestor is present, is over 16 kg). In short, safaris are significantly larger in size than their ancestor, Geoffroy's wild cat. On average, safari males, born as a result of successful mating, weigh about 11.3 kg, and females - up to 8.2 kg. For comparison, the average domestic cat's body weight is around 3.2-6.4 kg.

The large size of the first generation hybrids is explained by the different number of chromosomes of the crossed cats (36 and 38, respectively). As a result, the first generation hybrid offspring has 37 chromosomes. Moreover, 19 of them are inherited from the domestic cat, and the remaining 18 are inherited from Geoffroy’s wild cat. F1 hybrid males are sterile (as are F1 hybrid males from other breeds such as the Bengal and Savannah). In contrast, F1 hybrid females are fertile. Therefore, the males of the first generation are sold, while the females are used for breeding purposes. If the first generation hybrids tend to reach large sizes (a desirable parameter), then, starting from the second generation (F2), the hybrid offspring approaches the size of a domestic cat. F2 hybrids have either 37 or 38 chromosomes.

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Breed description, standards, appearance

Safaris are muscular, slender cats with the predatory grace of a wild animal and a beautiful leopard coat. The breed standard, which provides a complete description of the animals, was developed in 1980.

Dimensions and weight

Safari is a large cat with pronounced sexual dimorphism. The female weighs 8 kg. The male weighs about 13 kg. Although there are cases when the mass of a hybrid cat reached 17 kg.

Anatomical characteristics

A typical representative of the breed should meet the following description:

1. The head is large, wedge-shaped, with pronounced cheekbones, a strong chin, a developed lower jaw and a wide straight nose.
2. The ears are large, with rounded tips and wide set.
3. The eyes are almond-shaped with raised outer corners and an incredulous, wary gaze. The iris of a hybrid cat can be green or yellow.
4. The body is slender, muscular, with convex shoulder blades, a broad chest, a rounded back and a raised croup.
5. Limbs are strong and of equal length. The paws are wide and rounded. Because the hybrid cat moves with a sneaking gait, its front legs appear shorter than its hind legs.
6. The tail is flexible, long, tapering to the tip.

Color and coat type

The body of the safari is covered with short, dense, water-repellent fur with a thick undercoat.

The color of the cat is called spotted tabby. It is similar to the color of a leopard, only with a more complex pattern. The body of the safari has a pattern of spots and dots. And on the tail and limbs of the cat there are rings and rosettes.

On a note. The fur coat of a safari, in whose veins there is an admixture of Siamese blood, is cast in gold or silver. And in individuals whose ancestors included Bengals, the fur has a dark brown or reddish tint. Occasionally there are safaris with smoky wool.

Possible breed defects

This cat breed has not received official recognition from leading felinological organizations and its representatives do not have the right to take part in exhibitions. Therefore, the safari standard does not yet contain data on shortcomings and disqualifying defects.

Appearance of cats

The unusual beauty of the safari immediately attracts the attention of any cat lover. It must be said that in terms of external characteristics, this breed is often compared with representatives of wild cats (serval or ocelot), however, there are significant differences between them.

Safari is considered one of the largest domestic cats in the world. The height at the withers can be up to 60 centimeters, and the body length can be 90–120 centimeters. The following characteristics can be considered characteristic features of the breed:

• slender and very muscular body, rounded back, chest slightly expanded;
• long strong paws of equal length;
• thick and very flexible tail of medium length;
• large head with a long nose, strongly pronounced cheekbones;
• the eyes are almond-shaped, with the outer tips of the eyes slightly raised;
• the average weight of females is from 8 kg, males - from 12 kg, cases have been recorded when the weight of a safari reached 17 kg;
• dense thick wool with a water-repellent effect;
• The color of the breed is silver or golden, less often reddish or brown, the rarest specimens have a black smoky coat color; however, all representatives of the breed are characterized by the presence of dark spots on the skin (leopard color).

Cats have a strong large body, powerful long legs and strong jaws - they are real hunters!

That is, the safari cat is actually close to wild cats - the serval and the ocelot, but its specific external characteristics distinguish the animal as a separate species. Disqualifying characteristics for safari as such have not yet been formed - let’s not forget that the breed is still practically not recognized by felinogols. Therefore, safaris do not yet take part in official exhibitions (even from TICA).

Video: safari of different colors

Character and temperament

Despite their predatory appearance, safaris have a friendly and sociable disposition. They quickly become attached to people and love spending time in the company of their owners. Safaris are happy to bask on their master's lap, but at the same time they do not require constant attention and are not intrusive.

Representatives of the breed love to play and run with children. Their sociable and friendly nature helps them easily find a common language with other cats and dogs. But due to the fact that the blood of real predators flows in the veins of safari, they are not able to get along with rodents and birds.

Despite any precautions, these hybrid cats will sooner or later find a way to get to the owner's hamster or parrot.

Safari story: how a Moscow cat survived for a month in the swamps near Nizhny Novgorod

Messages on local television, advertisements asking for help in searching on poles and trees, sleepless nights and wandering through the forest - this is how Muscovite Anna Intereykina searched for her... cat. A pet of the Bengal breed escaped on May 21 - he got off his leash in the area of ​​​​an abandoned military base in Dzerzhinsk. The owner announced a significant reward for the cat Safari - 50 thousand rubles. For comparison, kittens of this breed cost the same.

The search for the animal lasted more than a month. The owner's hope weakened, but did not fade away, and this seemed to attract good luck to her - the cat was found! Anna told the correspondent of the news agency “In the City of N” about how these intense weeks went.

Anna conducted searches every day. The process was complicated by the fact that they were looking for the animal in the forest. The girl was afraid that the cat could have died from poisonous snakes or predators. Despite its semi-wild nature, the pet was still a domestic animal. In parallel with the search, the girl and her husband paid for advertising on local television and took care of posting advertisements. It turned out to be impossible to travel into the forest all the time; the money was running out. Three weeks later the couple returned to Moscow.

My husband and I cried several times a day, losing hope that he was alive. I had a dream that my cat was walking along the road and looking with his turquoise eyes in confusion, and then he appeared in the form of a ram. And someone says to me: “I’m lost like a sheep.” I woke up from sleep and decided it was some kind of stupid dream. I told my husband about it only in the evening,” says Anna.

On June 18 the call rang. There was a young man in touch who said: he and his company saw a cat on the road near Lake Glubokoe. This is 15 kilometers from where Safari escaped. The guys were unable to catch the animal: it ran into the forest.

Another call came on June 22. The man said that he saw the animal on the road near the lakes, not far from Glubokoye. It turns out that Safari wandered among the trees for a month, skirting swamps and ponds.

On the evening of June 22, we left Moscow for Pyra. We arrived in the morning at dawn. In the place where the cat was seen, there was a family who had been camping all weekend. There were notices everywhere with a photo of our pet. We asked people if they had seen Safari. They said that from evening until three in the morning he screamed and walked near their tents. It was very cold and raining. But from the conversation it became clear that they did not even think about feeding him or letting him into the tent, Anna recalls.

The couple rushed to the search with renewed vigor. For three days they were in place, exploring the surrounding area, walking around the forest all day long. After living there for three days, on the 25th they returned home exhausted. But the very next day - a new call...

Picking up the phone, Anna heard a woman and a young man - workers at a water intake station, which is located not far from the last place Safari was searching. They said that a cat who was constantly meowing came to their enterprise. The workers gave him food - pasta and a piece of chicken. Not letting anyone near him, the Bengal cat took the bowl of food outside and ate alone. In confirmation, the woman sent Anna a photo. It was him.

The family immediately rushed to Pyra again. The guy who had spoken with Anna a few hours earlier came out to the entrance so that the couple could be allowed into the territory. However, his colleagues, according to Anna, began to put on a show: we won’t let him in. The girl thinks that they wanted to earn extra money this way. However, the sympathetic guy decided to call his superiors directly, and all obstacles disappeared.

Anna and her husband rushed to catch the cat on the station territory. At first he did not recognize the owners, but after a few minutes he came to his senses. He was emaciated, his bones were palpable, his paws moved weakly. As a result, the happy owners finally took their beloved animal home.

We also have a cat and a female cat. They are running around in the morning with joy that Safari has been found. We still don't believe he's alive. Last night I dreamed about the cat again. And someone tells me that Safari is almost home and we’ll pick him up soon...” Anna finished her story.

Anna also didn’t forget about the reward. She said that she would pay all the people who helped the pet find a home again - those who called with messages about the location - 500 rubles, and the workers and security guards of the water intake station - 2,000 rubles.

By the way, June 28 is Anna’s birthday and the miraculous rescue of her beloved animal was a gift of fate for her.

How to choose the right kitten

Safari is a small and quite expensive breed, which is bred mainly in the USA. Therefore, it is better to look for a hybrid kitten in specialized American nurseries.

When purchasing a safari, it is recommended to pay attention to the following criteria:

• availability of documents;
• breed characteristics;
• behavioral characteristics;
• condition of fur, eyes and ears.

Kitten care

Until the age of three months, safari kittens need the care of their mother. The cat teaches her babies to eat “adult” food and go to the litter box. Therefore, owners do not have to waste time instilling basic self-care skills in their pet.

All that new safari owners need is to surround the kitten with care and show him where his bowls, litter box and place to sleep are located.

For safety reasons, wires, detergents, indoor plants and breakable objects are removed from the baby. Also, to avoid accidents, the kitten is denied access to large household appliances, open windows and balconies.

Domestic leopard: characteristics of the safari breed

Fans of the cat family are ready to have a real wild predator, such as a leopard, at home. But, besides the fact that it is dangerous, the animal is not adapted to life in the city and among people. Fans of wild cats that are friendly and harmless should pay attention to the Safari breed.

Origin story

The safari breed was developed by crossing Geoffroy's wild cat and an ordinary domestic pet. There is a very significant difference between wild and domestic ones: chromosome set. Therefore, the resulting hybrid has the best qualities of both ancestors.

The initial goal of breeding was to find a cure for feline leukemia, since wild animals do not suffer from this terrible disease. Attempts to develop a full-fledged breed did not work out immediately. The failure was that a wild animal killed a domestic representative. Or the male offspring were born infertile.

As a result, after numerous failures, a stable breed capable of reproduction was obtained. The result of crossing female Geoffroy cats and male Siamese or Bengal breeds served as the breeding of the safari cat.

Safari: breed characteristics

Some associations do not recognize this breed, or consider it experimental. Some fanciers do not see the difference between Bengal cats. While the dispute between ordinary people continues, breeders identify many distinct features characteristic of these particular animals.

The most distinctive feature is the color, which resembles the spots of a leopard. Black circles and stripes are evenly distributed throughout the body. The coat can be silver, golden, reddish or dark brown. Very rare and valuable - black smoky color. The spots should contrast with the main tone.

Safari cats have a muscular and slender body. The shoulder blades and croup are rounded. The width of the chest is normal. Rounded back.

The head is large, has pronounced cheekbones and a strong chin. The eyes are almond-shaped. The ears are round in shape. The paws of these pets are muscular and have the same length. The tail is medium in size, flexible, gradually tapering from base to tip.

The wool is thick, there is an undercoat with a unique water-repellent ability. The eye color of these tailed animals varies from yellow to green.

Character

The presence of wild relatives in the ancestors left an imprint on the behavior and character of the safari pet. These animals love to spend time with people, they are sociable, love affection and are ready to give their kindness and affection in return.

These pets are very playful and love children. Staying on their own for a long time is not difficult for them, they can entertain themselves. The predatory nature must be taken into account.

Animals have a very pronounced hunting instinct, so apart from them, there should be no animals in the house that could become prey. Cats can make friends with dogs. Pets are not afraid of water, but love to swim, which, in principle, is not typical for these tailed animals. The animal needs a lot of space and fresh air; it should not be placed in an apartment, but choose a private house. There you can spend more time outside.

Health

The breed of these cats did not inherit genetic diseases from their ancestors. Therefore, it has good immunity and good health. Veterinarians note that with the right diet and care, pets in most cases suffer little from anything. However, regular routine checkups should not be ignored. And also prevention of worms. An animal that is often outdoors must be protected. Therefore, there are medications whose regular use will protect you from unnecessary problems.

Size and weight

Among domestic cats, safari cats are one of the largest breeds. In animals, the sizes of males and females differ significantly. So, the average weight of an adult pet is from 8 to 13 kg. But some males reach 17 kg. The height is about 60 cm, and the length is 90-120 centimeters.

Nutrition and care

The diet of safari cats should include natural foods. First of all, fresh meat and fish. Milk is contraindicated, but sometimes it is recommended to give cottage cheese or yogurt. Dry food for animals is not provided. However, various stews from leading manufacturers are presented industrially. It is required to comply with the drinking regime; water must always be in the public domain.

Hygiene procedures should be carried out regularly. Ears and eyes should be cleaned. Use a soft glove to comb out hair several times a week. Especially during the molting period, which happens in the spring.

Price

The cost of a small kitten varies from 4 to 8 thousand dollars. Adult animals cost even more, from 10 to 12 thousand dollars.

There are very few nurseries for breeding safari cats, even in their homeland in America. This is due to a very difficult breeding process.

This rare and unique cat is one of the most expensive in the world.

Care and maintenance

Large and energetic, hybrid cats need space and are not meant to live in cramped apartments. It is advisable to keep the safari in a private house with access to a fenced yard.

Caring for a cat of this breed comes down to basic hygiene procedures:

1. The safari's eyes are regularly wiped with a cotton swab dipped in a decoction of herbs or in a natural-based lotion.
2. The ears of a hybrid cat are cleaned weekly to remove accumulated dirt and dust. Each of them is instilled with a special solution without alcohol, and after a couple of minutes they are wiped with a cotton pad.
3. Safari claws are worn down using a scratching post, but if necessary they can be shortened with a nail clipper.
4. The short hair of a hybrid cat does not require special care. During the molting period, it is combed out with a special comb, and washed 3-4 times a year using gentle shampoos.

Safari

Safari. — description of the breed, character, price of kittens, Video.

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Lovers of exotics will like the Safari breed. This is a little leopard with a kind soul. Breeding such a breed was not easy, but judging by the reviews of the safari owners, it was worth it.

Story.

In the 70s of the last century, American felinologists from Washington State conducted research with the goal of breeding a hybrid of wild and domestic cats. They wanted to get a breed with good health and a “wild” color. And after several years they succeeded. They found that the wild Geoffroy cat has 38 chromosomes, and the domestic Siamese or American shorthair has 36. Their litter in the first generation (F1) turned out to have 37 chromosomes. The subsequent generation gave either 37 or 38 chromosomes, and the males were completely sterile. Therefore, for subsequent work, the breeders decided to use a Bengal cat. Breeding the breed was not easy, since very often wild cats tried to kill domestic cats. Even living under the same roof since childhood did not guarantee anything. But, nevertheless, despite the difficulties, a new breed was presented to the world. Outwardly, these cats resemble Bengals, but felinologists see a separate breed in the new felines. Which was called Safari, as the spotted leopard color was reminiscent of the wild savannahs of Africa. True, this breed has not yet been included in the official list of cat breeds. Today, Safaris, according to TICA, are considered an experimental breed.

Appearance.

Safari is a very large cat. The weight of females reaches 8 kilograms, and males can reach up to 15 kilograms! The body is muscular, strong and graceful with a wide chest. Triangular head with a narrow jaw and small chin. The large ears are set high and set close together. The whisker pads are clearly visible, making the safari's face look like a leopard. The paws are long with wide pads. The length of the hind and front legs is the same. The tail is long. Wide at the base and tapering towards the tip. The coat is dense, with a short, dense undercoat. It has water-repellent properties. The coat color is spotted tabi, that is, leopard print, consisting of rings and rosettes. The coat color is golden, silver, reddish and dark brown. Sometimes there is a smoky color. Large, almond-shaped eyes are widely spaced. Eye color can be green, yellow, amber and light brown.

Character.

The influence of wild blood affects the character of this cat in that you should not keep rodents at home on safari. She will stubbornly hunt rats, hamsters, guinea pigs and even chinchillas. But with a dog, oddly enough, your pet can easily establish friendly contact. Despite the genes of wild ancestors, Safari is a very kind and gentle cat who enjoys spending time communicating with her owners. Well, if the owner has no time, then the pet will find something to do without him. After all, there are so many shelves and secret places in the house. It should be noted that these cats love space, so it is better to accustom the kitten to a harness and leash from childhood. And, they get accustomed to such attributes easily.

Care and health.

In general, this breed is unpretentious. The coat can be combed only during the molting period, but you can bathe it at least every day. The fact is that safari cats love water. So you won’t have any problems with washing your pet. It is still difficult to judge the health of these cats, but in general, no genetic diseases have been observed yet. Quite a healthy breed. Life expectancy is about 15 years.

Price for a Safari kitten:

Safari, dear pussy. The cost of a kitten varies from $3,500 to $8,000.

Safari.

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Feeding the cat

To stay healthy and active on safari, a balanced diet is required. Most breeders recommend abandoning dry cat food in favor of natural products or ready-made stews and pates from Royal Canin, Belcando or Hills.

The safari diet should consist of at least 70% lean fresh meat, offal and ocean fish. Hybrid cats are also given porridge, eggs, vegetables and sour milk.

It is forbidden to treat safari with sweets, pastries, sausages, smoked meats, river fish, exotic fruits and any food from the host’s table.

Education and physical activity

Safaris are temperamental and agile animals. They easily jump onto cabinets and high shelves, and use any objects as toys, from a candy wrapper to an expensive piece of jewelry left unattended. Therefore, it is recommended that hybrid cats buy more toys and set up a sports corner.

Savvy safaris easily remember the rules of etiquette and get used to the tray and scratching post without any problems. If desired, a hybrid cat can be trained to walk on a harness.

Vaccinations and antiparasitic treatment

To prevent viral and infectious diseases, safaris are systematically vaccinated against the main feline ailments:

• rhinotracheitis;
• calcivirosis;
• rabies.

The first vaccination for a representative of a hybrid breed is given at the age of 7-8 weeks. After 28 days, the kitten is re-vaccinated with the same drug. Subsequently, cats of this breed are vaccinated annually.

On a note. Due to their relationship with Geoffroy's wild cats, safaris are not predisposed to feline leukemia. Therefore, they do not need to be vaccinated against this disease.

Twice a year, hybrid cats are given anthelmintic medications. The dosage of the medicine is calculated taking into account the weight of the safari. To kill fleas, hybrid cats are regularly treated with special drops or shampoos.

Maintenance and care of the safari breed

Due to the fact that safaris are heavy and have significant muscle mass, their diet should include a lot of meat. Moreover, it is better to give preference to natural meat rather than feed.

The disadvantage of representatives of this breed is mainly the price. The cost of a first generation safari can reach ten thousand US dollars. And since breeding these cats is associated with a lot of difficulties, it is very difficult to acquire them, and representatives of this breed are quite small in number. Because of this, many people do not know where to buy a safari cat.

A safari cat is very expensive, rare and will not be easy to buy.

Pros and cons of the breed

Before deciding to buy a hybrid cat, you need to weigh the pros and cons:

Safaris are spectacular large-sized hybrid cats with a luxurious leopard skin and a soft, friendly disposition. They love active games and walks in the fresh air and will become excellent companions for those who are ready to provide them with decent living conditions.

Description of safari

Of course, there is no question of any breed standard. However, felinologists have described in detail the appearance of the safari cat.

Spotted cats are among the largest domestic cats in the world. They owe their impressive dimensions to their wild South American ancestors. In size, safaris are not inferior to domestic giants - Maine Coons.

Adult cats weigh on average 8-9 kg. The weight of sexually mature males is about 13 kg. The largest representatives of the breed reach a weight of 16 kg and look like a real small lynx.

The safari has a predatory figure: developed muscles along with smooth and streamlined body lines. The back is like a wheel, the chest is wide.

The head is in the shape of a soft triangle of medium size. The profile is long and elongated. The jaws are narrow, the chin is small. The ears are large and mobile, located high on the head and close to each other. The ends are softly rounded. The whisker pads are dense and rounded. The nose is long and straight, and its lobe is dark and wide. The large eyes of safari cats are almond-shaped. They are slightly slanted due to the raised outer corners of the eyes. The iris is colored green, brown, amber or yellow. The shade must be pure and rich, without inclusions. The eye color matches the coat color. The paws are long and strong. The paw pads are fleshy and round in shape. The fore and hind limbs are the same length. But when you look at the creeping gait, it seems that the hind legs are longer. The animal raises its croup, thereby standing as if on tiptoes. The tail is long, wide at the base, and narrow and dark at the tip.

Safari color

The coat lies close to the body, short but thick. There is a dense undercoat. Despite the short hairs, the fur is waterproof.

Safari cats have a unique amber color. At first glance, it seems that cats have a leopard print pattern, but the graphics on the coat are somewhat more complex than those of their wild ancestors. The color is called spotted tabby, that is, a spotted pattern with dots, rosettes and spots. The entire body of the animal, from the top of the head to the tip of the tail, is covered with dots and spots of different diameters. Even the paws are decorated with rings and rosettes. From the tandem of Geoffroy and the Siamese cat, representatives of the breed with a silver or golden color appeared. If Bengal cats were involved in the mating, safari kittens are red or brown in color. A rare color for the breed is smoky.

Safari character

The safari cat has strong hunting instincts. Semi-wild and agile pussy can easily reach a rodent or bird. You should not place your safari next to a guinea pig, rat, hamster or even a parrot. Peace is possible with other cats, but safari will take the lead. But spotted cats usually get along with dogs. You might think that this is an aggressive and dangerous animal, but this is not so. She is affectionate and kind with the safari owner. But it is not as dependent on humans as some other breeds. Forced loneliness will not bring these cats to their graves. This does not mean that the pet can be abandoned. Safari is suitable for people who work a lot and are not often at home.

From a young age, these pets are interested in water. They don’t really want to drink water from a bowl, because it’s much more fun to drink from the tap or the toilet! Breeders recommend installing a drinking fountain for these animals.

These are very playful animals. For this reason, they have a mutual love with children of all ages. They don’t need special cat toys; their rich imagination allows cats to play with both a candy wrapper and a hair elastic.

Living in a small apartment will not suit the safari crowd. Given the impressive size of the cat, this is difficult to achieve in practice. A large apartment with spacious rooms, a private house with adjacent territory, or even a real aviary would be better suited. Wherever you keep your safari cat, be sure to give him the opportunity to frolic outside.

Health safari

Since cats have not yet been identified as a separate breed and have been poorly studied by geneticists, it is still difficult to talk about the health of safari cats. To date, cats have not been shown to be prone to hereditary diseases. However, this is not a guarantee that as the gene pool increases, any genetic disease will not manifest itself.

Regular walks in the fresh air, physical activity and a balanced diet are very important for good health on safari.

The wild cat Geoffroy awarded his descendants with good genetics. The lifespan of safari cats is 15 years or more.