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Felis silvestris cafra x catus
the mother is a regular domestic short-haired cat but her 4 cross bred kittens were sired by an African Wild Cat and show a number of the Wild Cat characteristics i.e. tabby colour, two of them (not pictured) were very pale, red ears, ringed tail, black paws. Their legs are a little shorter than the fathers.
farm in relatively remote farming area,
It is interesting that the mother is one of the most friendly cats I've ever come across while the kittens were almost unapproachable and certainly did not like to be handled. Their birth was an unfortunate mistake and I had the mother spayed to prevent any more. I also neutered all 4 young cats, which involved actually having to trap the little blighters, they all grew up and left home although one of them occasionally returns to raid the chicken house. African Wild Cat populations are threatened due to interbreeding with domestic cats
Spotted on May 22, 2008
Submitted on Jan 6, 2013
4 Comments
Nice story & great info. Well done on taking responsibility & catching the kittens & getting them "fixed".
Really interesting spotting!
Interesting information, thanks.
Great notes! Thank you for sharing and for this adorable photo.