Fun Australian Mist Facts For Kids

Aashita Dhingra
Nov 01, 2022 By Aashita Dhingra
Originally Published on Aug 05, 2021
Edited by Monisha Kochhar
Fact-checked by Dimple Panchal
Australian Mist facts about the happy-to-stay indoors cat.
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 7.0 Min

The Australian Mist cat is a mixed breed of the Burmese, Abyssinian, the Australian Moggy, and other domestic shorthair cats. The Australian Mist can be found in seven colored patterns and is moderate in size.

This breed was first developed in 1975 by Dr. Truda Straede with the intention of developing a short-haired, patterned, easy-going, and happy-to-stay indoor cat. However, it took 10 years for Dr. Truda Straede to finally develop the present-day Australian Mist.

It was originally called the spotted mist, but in 1998 its name was changed to the Australian Mist cat. It also got recognition as an Aussie cat or Australia's national cat.

In 2014, this breed gained the International Cat Association championship status. Read on to discover all there is to know about this adorable cat breed.

If you love the fun facts we have shared about Australian Mist cats, you can also expand your knowledge about saber-toothed cats and lynx and bobcat.

Australian Mist Interesting Facts

What type of animal is an Australian Mist?

The Australian Mist is a mixed breed of Burmese, Abyssinian, and other 30 short-haired domestic cats. They are short-haired, medium-sized cat breed.

Since they are short-haired cats, they shed less fur and require less grooming. Just need to brush them once a week or any time of the day to get rid of dead hair and to avoid any mat formation.

What class of animal does an Australian Mist belong to?

It is a mammal belonging to the family Felidae. Its scientific name is Felis catus.

How many Australian Mists are there in the world?

The exact number is not known as they are a rare breed, so it is hard to give an idea of the quantity that exists. These breeds were first developed in Australia by Dr. Truda Straede and later on a few were sent to the U.S. and U.K.

So, it is bred in Australia and can currently be found in the U.K. and U.S. too.

Where does an Australian Mist live?

The Australian Mist cats are usually found indoors in their owner's house. They love to live in the company of their owners.

What is an Australian Mist's habitat?

The Australian Mist cats are found in Australia and a few in U.K. and U.S. They are domesticated animals, so they usually love to stay at their owner's house, spending all their time indoors.

They can easily adapt to any kind of household.

Since this cat with spotted fur is developed in Australia, you can usually find them in shelters or some rescue centers too. This beautiful Australian domestic shorthair cat is not so acquainted with the outdoor environment, but they have a tolerating nature and are even fine with a house full of noisy kids.

Who do Australian Mists live with?

The Australian Mist cat is the ideal type of family pet. They love to stay in the company of their owners and family members and are ready to interact and play.

How long does an Australian Mist live?

The Australian Mist cats can live up to 20 years if proper care is taken. But its average lifespan is between 16-18 years.

They don't have any health issues, but a few genetic health problems. Since they eat only meat and tend to live indoors all the time, they are liable to be obese. So, do keep a check on their diet.

Although they don't have any health issues, it's better to take them to the cat's vet to be sure that they are in good health. A regular check-up from an expert would help to keep your Australian Mist cat healthy.

How do they reproduce?

All cats reproduce by the process of sexual reproduction, and the Australian Mist is no different. The Australian Mists were first bred in 1975 by Dr. Truda Straede. It is a mixed breed of Burmese and Abyssinian. But since they were first bred in the laboratory, their reproduction is managed by the cat breeders and owners.

What is their conservation status?

Their conservation status is listed as Least Concern. According to IUCN, the Least Concerned species are those species that are not considered as Threatened or Near-Threatened.

Australian Mist Fun Facts

What do Australian Mists look like?

The Australian Mists are medium-sized cat breeds with a spotted coat and the coat is short. The spotted mist, Australian cat breed is found in different colors which include peach, lilac, caramel, gold, brown, blue, and chocolate.

From the Burmese origin, it developed its attractive body structure and large beautiful expressive eyes. From the Abyssinian origin, it developed its intelligent and friendly nature and its beautiful patterned spots from domestic shorthair cats.

*We've been unable to source an image of an Australian Mist and have used an image of an Abyssinian cat, one of the parent breeds, instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of Australian Mist, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at hello@kidadl.com.

A beautiful cross-breed Australian Mist cat makes a gorgeous pet.

How cute are they?

This domestic shorthair, medium-sized and spotted mist, Australian cat breed is super cute with large expressive eyes due to its Burmese origin. They are attractive like the Burmese cat and intelligent like the Abyssinian cat.

How do they communicate?

The Australian Mist cats communicate well with their owners and family members. They have a moderate meowing sound. They easily fit into the family. You will find them sitting cozily on the lap of their owners. They are very interactive and love to play. The best part is they communicate well with small children as well.

How big is an Australian Mist?

The Australian Mist cats are 2 ft (60 cm) in height and length. As mentioned before, the Australian Mists are medium-sized. However, these mixed breed cats of Burmese and Abyssinian origin can sometimes be smaller or larger than the average size.

How fast can an Australian Mist run?

The Australian Mist cats are active as kittens, but as they grow they become soft and calm. As they grow up they tend to remain indoors, so they are average runners. Also, due to its non-ferocious nature, it rarely runs after birds or rats.

How much does an Australian Mist weigh?

The Australian Mist cats weigh around 15 lb (7 kg). However, their size may vary. The female Australian Mists weigh slightly less than the male Australian Mists.

What are the male and female names of the species?

The male is known as 'tom' and the female is known as 'queen'.

What would you call a baby Australian Mist?

The baby Australian Mist cat is known as the Australian Mist kitten.

What do they eat?

The Australian Mist cat breeds are meat lovers. They only love to eat meat like cooked beef, turkey, chicken, and fish.

Are they hypoallergenic?

The Australian Mist cats are not hypoallergenic. Since it is a shorthair cat, if you have allergy issues this might not be a good option for you.

Would they make a good pet?

The Australian Mist cats are the most friendly domestic cat breed. They are tolerant of any kind of household and get along with kids. They are very active and playful and do not scratch when picked up. The perfect domestic pet to bring home without having to worry about your child being around.

The Australian Mist can adapt easily to any kind of environment. Even if you already have a domestic pet, it interacts well early on. The best tolerant and ideal family pet you can bring home.

Did you know...

It took 10 years to finally develop the spotted coat Australian Mists. Apart from the Burmese and Abyssinian cats, the Australian Moggies also contributed the best in providing genes to improve reproduction, healthy kidneys, and improved teeth.

The Australian Mist's personality

The Australian Mists are very friendly and tolerant in nature. They are undoubtedly the best pets to socialize easily and can adapt to any kind of household, even with a family of noisy small children.

They are affectionate and love to share their love with all the family members. Since, they are obedient in nature, even if you are not playing with them, they will just cuddle up to sit next to you.

Getting your own Australian Mist

The Australian Mist is hard to be found since it is bred only in Australia. So, you will find them in Australia and New Zealand. Also, if you live in U.K. or U.S. you can purchase one. If you want one, you can talk to the cat breeders or pet shops, or animal rescue centers.

The cost of Australian Mists ranges from $700 to $1000. It is one of the most expensive cat breeds since it is only bred in Australia.

But it is worth the purchase if you are hoping to show off your cat with fine body spots. So, if you are hoping to bring one home at an affordable price your best option is to visit the animal rescue centers.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including Canis panther, or cat.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our cat with kitten coloring pages.

Australian Mist Facts

What Did They Prey On?

They do not prey on another animal

What Type of Animal were they?

Beef, chicken, turkey, fish, cat food

Average Litter Size?

4-7

How Much Did They Weigh?

15 lbs (7 kg)

What habitat Do they Live In?

shelters and rescues

Where Do They Live?

australia, u.s, u.k

How Long Were They?

2 ft (60 cm)

How Tall Were They?

We're not sure how tall Australian Mist is. If you know, please let us know at hello@kidadl.com.

Class

Mammalia

Genus

Felis

Family

Felidae

Scientific Name

Felis catus

What Do They Look Like?

They are marbled with a fine spotted coat

Skin Type

Australian Mist has short hair and lacks an undercoat

What Are Their Main Threats?

human, birds, and snakes

What is their Conservation Status?

Least Concern
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Written by Aashita Dhingra

Bachelors in Business Administration

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Aashita DhingraBachelors in Business Administration

Based in Lucknow, India, Aashita is a skilled content creator with experience crafting study guides for high school-aged kids. Her education includes a degree in Business Administration from St. Mary's Convent Inter College, which she leverages to bring a unique perspective to her work. Aashita's passion for writing and education is evident in her ability to craft engaging content.

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Fact-checked by Dimple Panchal

Bachelor specializing in Economics, Master of Arts specializing in Economics

Dimple Panchal picture

Dimple PanchalBachelor specializing in Economics, Master of Arts specializing in Economics

With a background in economics and a passion for creative writing, Dimple pursued higher education and gained a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Gargi College and a Master's degree in the same from Indira Gandhi National Open University. Along the way, she tutored kids and discovered her passion for art as a means of self-expression. An introvert by nature, she finds solace in watching anime films and documentaries, reading books, and taking walks with her dog. She admires the work of Hayao Miyazaki and Haruki Murakami.

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