The Cat That Looks Like A Cheetah: Learn About This Cool Breed

Cats are domestic animals that make great pets.

While some cat species are called lazy and prefer to rest, other species of cats like to play around and appear quite energetic. Also, there are some that show both types of behavior.

The variations among the different cat breeds extend to their external appearances too. Some cats have a wild and exotic look, while some appear more tamed and calm. The markings on the cat's body, as well as the color of their fur coat, can further vary if the cat is a hybrid.

Interestingly, there are cats that look like wild cats that are generally found in a jungle. They may look like a cheetah, leopard, or lion, just smaller versions of them. While they may look unruly, they can actually be adopted as a pet. Read on to discover more interesting facts about such cats.

Cat Breeds That Look Like A Cheetah

Wild animals such as tigers, cheetahs, and leopards belong to the cat family. They are known as wild cats or big cats. Wild cats can be both big and small and they are different from domestic cats that are raised as pets. Interestingly, there are cats that are domestic but still look like wild cats.

A Toyger is a designer breed of cat whose first creation was in 1980 by Judy Sugden. As the name of this cat breed suggests, a Toyger resembles a real-life tiger. However, it does not have any wild blood as it is a descendant of domestic cats.

Bengal cats are also a developed breed that has the appearance of a wild cat. Jean S. Mill developed the Bengal cat in 1963.

Savannah cat was first created by Judy Frank during the '80s. Further development of the Savannah breed was carried out by Joyce Sroufe and Patrick Kelley in the '90s.

Another breed that looks wild is the Abyssinian cat. Abyssinian cats require a lot of attention as well as playful interaction.

A cat breed that looks like it truly belongs in the wild is the Egyptian Mau. This breed of cat has a personality that is often likened to that of an Egyptian god or goddess.

Another designer breed of cats is the Serengeti which was first created by Karen Sausman in 1994.

The cat that resembles cheetahs is known as a Cheetoh.

Other cat breeds that have a wild appearance include Ocicat, pixie-bob, Bombay cat, and American bobtail.

Cat Fur Patterns And How They Get Them

Domestic breeds, as well as wild breeds of cats, have distinctive fur colors and patterns. But how do they acquire these patterns and colors? Is it a natural phenomenon, or is it part of the evolution of the cat breeds? It is mostly genetics responsible for the patterns and colors of the cat's fur coat.

The determination of the length, coloration, texture, and pattern of the cat's fur depends on cat coat genetics. There are various genes involved in this process of determining the fur coat of cats.

However, the physical appearance of the fur coat does not necessarily determine the breed of the cat. For instance, a Bengal cat can have the coat coloration and pattern of a Siberian or Savannah without being one.

There are processes such as pigmentation involved in the development of any particular fur pattern. For cat breeds with a solid-colored fur coat, the browning gene codes are used to produce eumelanin pigment.

Meanwhile, for tabbies, the stripe fur pattern is achieved through the agouti gene. So if you are looking for an exotic pet cat that is of the domestic type, then you can try to get one with a unique fur pattern.

How are hybrid cats formed?

The domestic cat kept as a pet can be a purebred or a hybrid breed. Hybrid cats (or any other animal) are created by breeding two different animal sub-species or related species together. In the case of hybrid cat breeds, two different breeds are bred together to create a new hybrid.

The process involved in the creation of a hybrid can be complicated as the compatibility of the different breeds has to be properly evaluated. Then there are further scientific processes involved too. House cats that look like wild ones can be obtained through the hybridization process.

Toyger is a cat that was created by mixing a Bengal cat and a Mackerel tabby. This is the reason Toyger has markings and fur coat colors that resemble a tiger. Bengal cats are developed by combining domestic shorthaired cats of the regular kind and small wild Asian leopard cats. Thus, Bengal cats appear quite wild-looking and intimidating, but they actually have very gentle personalities.

Savannah cats are also a hybrid variety that was created by breeding a domestic cat with an African serval. The amount of African serval blood in a Savannah depends on the region from where it is obtained. The pixie-bob was created through unintentional breeding between a barn cat and a bobcat. This cat gets its wild and exotic look from the bobcat and the barn cat.

The hybrid breed of Serengeti was obtained through the breeding of a Bengal with an Oriental shorthair. The wild markings on the fur coat of Serengeti are a result of the genes of the parent breeds. Cheetohs are cats that look like real-life cheetahs because it is a hybrid of an Ocicat and a Bengal. The Cheetoh also shares a resemblance with the Asian leopard cat, who is an ancestor of the other three cat breeds.

Characteristics Of The Breeds

Each animal has distinct characteristics, physical and behavioral, that distinguish it from other animal species. These characteristics might be evident through certain markings on the animal's body or through the way it interacts with its environment, family, and strangers. In a similar sense, each cat breed also possesses such characteristics.

While a Toyger looks like a tiger, it does not behave like one. A Toyger has markings on its body that resembles the stripes on a tiger. It has a laid-back personality and affectionate behavior. The Toyger is also a very social cat that is highly active and intelligent.

Bengal cats also have a wild appearance like that of an African wild cat, but they are very friendly with people as well as with dogs. Bengals have a curious nature which also shows their intelligent personality.

The Savannah looks like a wild cat because of its Serval ancestry. Savannahs are considered to be a highly intelligent cat breed. They are quite active and friendly with people they know. However, they act wary around strangers.

Abyssinian is a house cat that looks like a lion and is very affectionate, active, playful, and curious by nature. It has a tendency to act out when it feels bored and has a habit of constantly moving around.

While a pixie-bob looks like it belongs in the jungle, it is actually mild-mannered. Pixie-bobs are also known for being loyal and friendly with people. They also behave well with dogs due to their social and playful nature.

The Bombay cat looks like a miniature-sized black panther with a completely black fur coat. However, it is a house cat with an easy-going and playful personality. While it is friendly to people, it is also tolerant in the company of a dog.

The Egyptian Mau has slender and long legs, which it uses to climb and perch over a height. These cats have a strong will and an active nature. They are also known to be fast runners.

Ocicats and Cheetohs look like cheetahs but are in no way wild. Both breeds have a spotted coat. This spotted coat slightly varies for an Ocicat and a Cheetoh. Ocicats have active and social personalities. They are also quite confident and loyal. The Cheetoh is a big cat with a sweet and intelligent personality.