Safari

Given the breed’s rarity, no standard for their fur colour is recognised by the majority of feline associations.

Again, no standard of patterns exists yet. However, they usually have a ‘spotted tabby’ type coat.

Short

Their eyes are yellow or green

No official standard yet exists for this breed. However, we do know that they are short-haired, spotted tabby cats, and they always have the exotic look of a big cat.

Sometimes cats that are the product of crossing with wild species prefer to spend their energy on physical activities rather than being cuddled. However, anecdotal evidence shows that Safaris are particularly affectionate.

These little wildcat usually enjoys dynamic play sessions that entertain and stimulate them. This means it’s essential to offer daily interactive play activities. Some of them are quite the little sportsmen and even enjoy swimming and climbing!

If their needs for physical activity are met, they relax with their humans when they want to. Just make sure to have high places where they can rest.

They are lively, insightful and are great at learning.

Fear of strangers varies from one cat to the next, but since Safaris are typically energetic and curious, they generally adapt well to novelty.

It’s always important to make sure that cats get enough physical activity and stimulation, whatever their breed. So as long as your Safari is growing up in an enriching environment complete with high-up lookout points, games and dietary stimulation, they will be able to cope with being alone.

On the whole, with domestic cats, their tendency to vocalise for communicating with humans varies a lot between individuals and the environment they’re in. Certain hybrid breeds can be slightly more chatty than the average cat, meaning it’s possible that Safaris will be too. Again though, little information is available on this.

They require very high levels of exercise and a diverse range of activities.

Being very adventurous and active, they enjoy exploring the outdoors. If you use a lead with a harness, you’ll find it easier to take them on excursions, knowing there is a lower risk of them escaping!

Given they have so much energy, Safaris usually have a pretty good appetite.

This relationship will depend on several factors, including the way they were each socialised when they were kittens. Nonetheless, it’s not recommended to have domestic cats and wild hybrids in the same household, particularly for the initial generations of hybridisation (F1 to F3).

The compatibility of Safaris with dogs can vary, and depends on them being socialised together at a young age and in the right way. That said, a dog and a Safari can get on very well, but there is little documented information on these types of relationship. It’s important to have lookout points and rest areas that are high up, so that the cat can avoid undesired run-ins with their canine companion.

There is little data that might give an insight on the relationship between these felines and children. They would most likely make good playtime companions, but you would have to be vigilant and closely supervise their interactions together. Additionally, it would be extremely important to teach children of any age to read the cat’s body language closely and respect their limits.

Since cats of this breed usually have a lot of energy, certain calmer people would find them too active.

These cats seem to lose little hair.

Their average life expectancy is probably around 15 years, but keep in mind that this is based on a small sample of individuals given the breed is relatively new.

For lack of comprehensive data, it’s difficult to determine the robustness of this breed, so we have given them 2 stars by way of an ‘average’ score.

The risk of feline obesity is influenced by a number of factors like age, environment, diet and the cat’s activity level. Since these cats are generally very energetic, their risks of becoming overweight are very low, as long as their requirements for physical activity are met.

Since this is a little-known breed, it’s difficult to give concrete advice on the physiological health of individuals. In any case, an annual medical check-up is recommended to ensure their health and wellbeing. What’s more, they can suffer from the same illnesses as non-hybrid domestic cats, particularly oral diseases.

No information is available on possible pairings with other cats. Certain hybrid breeds, like the Safari, sometimes have issues with reproduction, due to some individuals being infertile.

The Geoffroy’s Cat is protected by various regulations concerning the holding and reproduction of wild exotic species (including CITES Appendix 1).

The Safari originates from the United States. The initial pairing of a Geoffroy’s Cat with a domestic cat occurred in a research lab in the seventies - the practice of breeding them came about in the decades that followed. Today, there are around 70 individuals registered by TICA (The International Cat Association).