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Snow Leopard

Cat of the Month ~ February 2014

With the heavy winter snows still affecting the United States, the cat of the month for February is the Snow Leopard. This beautiful cat was the mascot for the recent XXII Winter Olympics in Sochi and it was a fitting emblem for all the marvellous outdoor activities in Snow! Just like those athletes this feline surely is a master of its environment.

This special Leopard is currently found in ever dwindling numbers in Asia, Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Tibet and possibly also in Myanmar. To be more precise its geographic distribution runs from the Hindu Kush in eastern Afghanistan and the Syr Darya through to the Russian Altai mountains an on to the west of Lake Baikal.

It is a sad and daunting estimatation that there are now only approximately 4,000 (yes four thousand!) snow leopards left in the wild, although this number is not a fixed certainty. We are stunned by this finding and can only hope that there are undiscovered snow leopards lurking in even more remote regions throught the world (lets live in hope). The recent footage from the Snow Leopard Trust shows a fine and rare photograph of one of these magnificent cats caught on film by an automatic research camera.

A wild Snow Leopard triggers an automatic camera.
Photograph: Snow Leopard Trust.

Snow leopards show several adaptations for living in a cold, mountainous environment. Their bodies are stocky, their fur is thick, and their ears are small and rounded, all of which help to minimize heat loss.

Their paws are wide, which distributes their weight better for walking on snow, and have fur on their undersides to increase their grip on steep and unstable surfaces; it too also helps to minimize heat loss.

Snow leopards’ tails are long and flexible, helping them to maintain their balance, which is very important in the rocky terrain they inhabit. Their tails are also very thick due to storage of fat and are very thickly covered with fur which allows them to be used like a blanket to protect their faces when asleep. The snow leopard also has a short muzzle and domed forehead, containing unusually large nasal cavities that help the animal breathe the thin, cold air of their mountainous environment.

Both the WWF and the Snow Leopard Trust are working to protect this incredible cat. The Snow Leopard trust have been studying these felines for many years in Mongolia’s South Gobi. You can read about the cats Agnus, Arian (Pure), Ariumbeleg (Pure Spirit), Dagina (Beautiful Princess) and Dvekh (phoenix rising) on this meet the cats page.

In the future lets hope we see a lot more cubs like this sturdy soul…

snow leopard cub

A wild Snow Leopard Cub, prowls for food (no doubt)
Photograph: Snow Leopard Trust.

Article Sources: Snow Leopard Trust, Wikipedia

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Siberian

The Siberian is a long haired breed of cat. Known to be an exceptionally high jumper, the Siberian is a strong and powerfully built cat, with well proportioned characteristics that include strong hindquarters and large stomachs. They typically weigh between 15-20 (6.8 – 9.1 kg) pounds for the males, or 10-15 pounds (4.5 – 6.8 Kg) for females. They are shorter and stockier than Maine Coon cats and Norwegian Forest Cats even though they can attain approximately the same weight.

Siberian

Siberian Long Haired Cat ~ A high jumper!
Photo: unknown source

Siberians typically attain their full growth more slowly, over their first 5 years. The females weigh less than the males. They are extremely agile and athletic. Their muscles are mighty, outstanding and powerful. The back is medium and slightly lower
in front than in the hind, but appears horizontal when in motion. A barrel shaped, muscular torso, develops with age. The hind legs, when straightened, are slightly longer than the forelegs. The paws are round, big and quite powerful. The overall appearance should be one of great strength and power; the facial expression is quite sweet. The general impression is one of roundness and circles.

Personality Siberians are generally intelligent, playful, affectionate and loyal,leading many to describe their character as dog-like. Their fur is plush, can have a wide range of coloration (including points), and does not have a tendency to mat. Siberian fur is also textured, medium-long and usually tabby patterned. Siberians have a triple coat. There should be an abundant ruff setting off the large, impressive head. There is a tight undercoat, thicker in cold weather. Allow for warm weather coats. The hair may thicken to curls on the belly and britches, but a wavy coat is not characteristic. The skin may have a bluish cast. Clear strong colors and patterns are desirable, but are secondary to type.
When breeding on average, a Siberian cat’s litter consists of five kittens.

Ancestry While Siberians are a fairly recent introduction to the US(1990) and thus relatively rare, though popular, the breed can be seen in Russian paintings and writings hundreds of years old. This sets them apart from breeds that are the result of fairly recent selective breeding.

There is an increasing interest in Siberians worldwide. The Siberian breed is now recognized by most cat organizations, which accept Siberians of any color (including color points) for competition. This includes recognition in the major cat registries such as TICA and Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), as well as acceptance in the CFA Championship class beginning on February 6th, 2006.

Distinguishing FeaturesThe large, almost round eyes are at least one eye width apart with the outer corner slightly angled toward the lower base of the ear. There is no relationship between eye colour and coat colour/pattern, however, as with all pointed cats the eye color is blue with pointed colors

The ears are medium-large, wide and set as much on the sides of the head as on the top; ideal position is 1 to 1-1/2 ear widths apart. The tips are rounded and the ear tilts forward. Ear furnishings are desirable. Hair over the back of the ears is short and thin; from the middle of the ear, the furnishings become longer and cover the base completely.

The tail is medium length, wide at the base, blunt at the tip without thickening or kinks, evenly and thickly furnished.

The head is a modified wedge of medium size with rounded contours, broader at the skull and narrowing slightly to a full rounded muzzle with well-rounded chin. There may be a slight muzzle curvature, but the transition between the side of the head and the muzzle is gentle and inconspicuous. The cheek bones are neither high set nor prominent. There should be a good distance between the ears and eyes. The top of the head is flat, with a gentle nose curvature of a gentle slope from the forehead to the nose and a slight concave curvature before the tip. The neck is medium, rounded, substantial, and very well-muscled, siberians have the appearance of no neck.

There exists controversy concerning color point Siberians. Some consider them to be a separate breed called ‘Neva Masquerade’, but so far no major cat registry has accepted them as a separate breed. They are considered to be a color division of the Siberian breed.

References:

The Rolandus Cat Fanciers …& others

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Bastet the Egyptian Cat Goddess

Cat of the Month ~ December 2013

Among the animals that the ancient Egyptians respected and venerated was the cat, and they named their Cat Godess ‘Bastet’.

In legend the godess Bastet was said to be a sacred and gentle animal, with a long tail (often curled around one leg) and with rather long erect ears.

The cult center for Bastet was at Bubastis (modern Zagazig) in the eastern part of the Nile Delta. The cat was also the patron deity of other sites in Egypt including Saqqara and Alexandria. Great temples and underground mausoleums for cats have been excavated at each of these sites.


Bastet

The Godess Bastet
This fourteen centimetre high statue of Bastet shows the goddess in characteristic Egyptian style.
She sits with her forelegs upright, and her hind legs neatly folded under her. The ears are
erect, and the eyes are big. The muzzle has some detail and the body appears to be strong.
Photograph: The Supreme Council of Antiquities, Egypt

Over 2000 years ago the cat-goddess was worshipped to such an extent that the bodies of dead cats were Mummified just like those of their human keepers.
The Cats were placed in coffins and pious worshippers had bronze and stone figures made so that these could be offered in dedication to the God.

Bastet was also the goddess of feasts, wine drinking, dancing, and music (so, Merry Christmas Folks!). She was assimilated with the goddesses Tefnut (now Norman is a tough Nut for sure, Ed.) and Sekhmet, and was considered to be the daughter of the sun god Re (or Ra). In this aspect, she was depicted with the head of a lioness.

When the Romans came to Egypt, they too became cat lovers, and took both live cats and cat statues to Europe. This surely means that the moggies sitting next to us today are related to these majestic and worshipped cats of the Ancients….certainly in legend and very likely in the flesh too.

Bastet Cat Goddess

A stone carving of Bastet found in Alexandria in 2010
This stone sculpture was one of many found among the temple’s ruins in the Kom el-Dekkah
area of the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria in 2010. Archaeologists say the
Ptolemaic temple dating back more than 2,000 years may have been dedicated
to the ancient Cat Goddess.
Photograph: The Supreme Council of Antiquities, Egypt
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Napoleon

Cat of the Month ~ October 2013

Napoleon Cat
Napoleon
Photograph: Tica.org

The International Cat Association (TICA) classifies the Napoleon Cat as a domestic hybrid breed, “A breed developed from a deliberate cross between two existing domestic breeds, incorporating characteristics of both parental breeds into the new breed.”

The two breeds (or Groups) from which the Napoleon is derived are the Munchkin breed and the Persian breed type. Napoleons can be both long-haired or short-haired.

The breed was created by Joseph B. Smith, a Basset Hound breeder (a stubby breed of dog)and AKC judge, inspired by the Wall Street Journal’s front page feature of the Munchkin on June 12, 1995. In 1996, Joe (of the Blueline cattery) started breeding Persians with Munchkins. He wanted to create a breed that would have wide appeal, whether the cat had the signature short legs or the longer legs of the non-standard version.

Joe decided to call his breed the Napoleon after the short-statured Napoleon Bonaparte. The Persians used were the so-called doll faced Persians which had a longer nose than the modern Persian and a very open sweet expression. He chose the Persian breed group as an outcross to the Munchkin for reasons of both beauty and bone structure.

From the Munchkin group, the Napoleon has inherited its distinctively short legs. The short legs of the Munchkin occurred as a spontaneous mutation in the general cat population and have been in common existence for many years. The short legs do not hinder the cat in any way; they run, jump, and play just like any cat. From its Persian group (including Persians, Exotic Shorthairs and Himalayans) the Napoleon has inherited its lovely round face, eyes, and dense coat. Also from the Persian group, the Napoleon has also acquired its substantial boning. This boning is necessary to provide a good support system for its uniquely short legs. It must be emphasised however that the Napoleon is not merely a short-legged Persian nor a hairy Munchkin. It is a unique combination of these two groups, making it easily distinguishable from any other breed of cat.

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That Grumpy Cat

Grumpy Cat (aka. Tardar Sauce) was born on April 4, 2012 in Phoenix Arizona. She is a domestic shorthair breed of feline. According to her owner Tabatha Bundesen, her mother was a regular Domestic Shorthair Calico and her dad was a grey-striped housecat.

grumpy cat

Tardar Sauce aka. Grumpy Cat
Photograph: GrumpyCats.com

Tardar is undersized and has hind legs that “are a bit different”. She has endearing panda patches around her sky blue eyes, offset by a permanently down at the mouth expression on her jowls. It is said by Mrs Bundesen that this grumpy-looking face is due to feline dwarfism and an under bite. Undoubtedly these unique features have been the reason for Tardars popularity…

…and what a rise to fame it has been, Tardar has a bestselling book, several movies and has already made it on to the cover of The Wall Street Journal and the New York magazine. Grumpy Cat merchandising is big business …. Today the “Grumpy Cat Inc. Corporation of Ohio has an estimated value of well over a Million Dollars…

Tardar has a brother called Pokey who keeps her company around the house. Ironically, Tardar Sauce is calm and “actually really nice” whereas Pokey is the one with a grumpy personality.

Pokey “the grumpy one” with Grumpy Cat
Photograph: GrumpyCats.com

According to the Bundesens, Tardar Sauce is a normal cat “Ninety-nine percent of the time”… “Photo sessions are only once a week, and handling by strangers is limited”….” She’s very well taken care of, and we love her.”

Thats nice to know!

~~~~ a few facts about grumpy cat are listed below ~~~~

Grumpy Cat merchandising is now in full flow with: Movies, Calendars, T-Shirts, Plush and Fluffy toys, A coffee beverage ‘Grumppuccino’, Mugs, Mats, T-shirts, the endorsement of Friskies Cat food, 1.3 million Likes on facebook and Photo and Weather Apps for the iPhone…. Grumpy says … “all this success ain’t changed me at all… it’s others that treat me differently, thats all :(”

  • Grumpy Cat’s popularity originated from a picture posted to the social news website Reddit by Bundesen’s brother Bryan on September 22, 2012.
  • The Official Grumpy Cat” on Facebook has over 1.3 million Likes.
  • [May 30, 2013]
    Grumpy Cat was featured on the front page of The Wall Street Journal.
  • [October 7, 2013]
    Grumpy Cat was featured on the cover of New York Magazine.
  • MSNBC named Grumpy Cat 2012’s most influential cat.
  • Grumpy Cat won first prize at the second annual Internet Cat Video Film Festival.
  • [July 23, 2013] The official Grumpy Cat book was published by Chronicle Books..and made 7th place on the New York Times Best Seller List
  • Grumpy Cat has appeared on Today, Good Morning America,CBS Evening News, Anderson Live,
    VH1’s Big Morning Buzz Live and The Soup.
  • Grumpy Cat appeared on the world famous “Garage Logic” radio broadcast the day of the MN State Fair live Internet Cat Film Festival.
  • Grumpy Cat promoted Grumpy Cat ~ A Grumpy Book at BookExpo America. She attended her book’s launch at Kitson and The Grove’s Barnes & Noble in Los Angeles.
  • [March 2013] Grumpy Cat attended SXSW Interactive, hosted at the Mashable House.Friskies paid travel expenses to Austin in order to film You-Tube show “Will Kitty Play With It?”
  • [April 18, 2013] Grumpy Cat appears in Lil Bub & Friendz, a documentary premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on and won the Tribeca Online Festival Best Feature Film.
  • [May 2013] Grumpy Cat is all set to be cast into a “Garfield-like feature film” adaptation. The prospective producer Todd Garner said “We think we can build a big family comedy around this character.
  • [August 2013] Grumpy Cat met Lil Bub at the second annual Internet Cat Video Film Festival at the Minnesota State Fair.
  • … to be continued …

    • Link to a news report about Tardar Sause

Information from Wikipedia, The Times(UK) and other sources

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Kohana Cat

Cat of the Month ~ September 2013


an adult kohana called maggot

Kohana Cat, so very rare.
Photograph: extracted from Youtube Channel video (by valmara1971). [The photo has been digitally enhanced.]

The history of the Kohana Cat is vague to say the least (or at least I’ve not found much information so far … ). Rumour has it that this intriguing creature is the result of a genetic mutation of cat breeds originating on the island of Hawaii. There are only somewhere in the region of 20 of these felines alive in the world today.

Kohana’s have absolutely no hair on their body apparently. Not having seen one in the flesh I’m just going to have to take that as true. This cat it seems has no hair follicles so hair cannot grow, and what is more this renders the skin texture somewhere between old human skin and damp rubber.

Other distinguishing features are quite a lively temperament, very large ears and long sinuous rat like tail. This cat is still a beauty in my book.
Note: the cat pictured (from a short video)is called maggot and apparently he has a brother called Beetlejuice, the story continues …