Safari Cats
The Safari cat is a very rare hybrid cat breed produced by crossing a domestic cat with a Geoffroy’s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi). The Geoffroy’s cat is the most common wild cat in South America.
The Safari cat is unusual in that it combines the exotic look of a wild cat with a level of affection rarely found even in completely domestic cats. It is considered to the the most affectionate of all F1 hybrid cats.
The first Safaris were produced in the early 1970s. Some were taken as pets, and some were used for leukemia research at Washington State University.
Safari cats are difficult to produce – domestic cats have 38 chromosomes, while the Geoffroy’s cat has 36. The result is a hybrid with 37 chromosomes, which seems to dramatically increase the cat’s size. Geoffroy’s cats are about the same size as an average housecat, but an F1 50% Safari hybrid can be around 25 pounds. F1 75% Safaris can weigh up to 35 pounds! F2 Safaris have been produced, but this has proved to be very difficult.
