Felid hybrids

{{Main|Caraval}}

A caraval is a cross between a male caracal (Caracal caracal) and a female serval (Leptailurus serval), while a male serval's and female caracal's offspring are called servicals. The first servicals were bred accidentally when the two animals were housed together at the Los Angeles Zoo. The offspring were tawny with pale spots. If a female servical is crossed to a male caracal, the result is a car-servical; if she is crossed to a male serval, the result is a ser-servical.{{Cite newsletter|title=Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc.|date=March–April 2000|website=FelineConservation.org|publisher=LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc.|via=Feline Conservation Federation|volume=44|issue=2|url=https://felineconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/44-2.pdf|format=PDF|url-status=live|access-date=2023-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323000605/https://felineconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/44-2.pdf|archive-date=2023-03-23}}{{Cite web|author=BCR Staff|title=B10: Feeding Tour Guide|date=2021-08-22|website=BigCatRescue.org|publisher=Big Cat Rescue|url=https://bigcatrescue.org/b10-feeding-tour-guide/|url-status=live|access-date=2023-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127015522/https://bigcatrescue.org/b10-feeding-tour-guide/|archive-date=2022-11-27}}{{Cite web |title=Zepo – In Memory|date=January 2015|website=WildcatSanctuary.org|publisher=|url=https://www.wildcatsanctuary.org/resident/zepo-in-memory/|url-status=live|access-date=2023-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124065251/https://www.wildcatsanctuary.org/resident/zepo-in-memory/|archive-date=2022-01-24}}{{Cite web |url=http://messybeast.com/genetics/hyb-serval-caracal.htm |title=SERVAL AND CARACAL HYBRIDS|access-date=2019-09-05|website=Messybeast.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207064551/http://messybeast.com/genetics/hyb-serval-caracal.htm|archive-date=2022-12-07}}{{Cite encyclopedia|title=SERVAL|dictionary=Cambridge Dictionary|date=|publisher=Cambridge University Press|url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/serval|url-status=live|access-date=2023-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323004607/https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/serval|archive-date=2023-03-23}}{{Cite web|language=fr|title=Le caracal, un félin aux oreilles musclées !|date=2022-09-08|website=GEO.fr|publisher=GEO|url=https://www.geo.fr/environnement/le-caracal-un-felin-aux-oreilles-musclees-211646|url-status=live|access-date=2023-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131142544/https://www.geo.fr/environnement/le-caracal-un-felin-aux-oreilles-musclees-211646|archive-date=2023-01-31}}{{Cite web|language=fr|title=🔎 Félin hybride - Définition et Explications|date=|website=Techno-Science.net|publisher=|url=https://www.techno-science.net/glossaire-definition/Felin-hybride.html|url-status=live|access-date=2023-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315024914/https://www.techno-science.net/glossaire-definition/Felin-hybride.html|archive-date=2023-03-15}}{{Cite magazine|title=Town&Style 7.29.15 by St. Louis Town & Style - Issuu|date=2015-07-29|magazine=St. Louis Town & Style|via=Issuu.org|url=https://www.isvara.issuu.org/townandstyle/docs/7_29_15|url-status=|access-date=2023-03-23|archive-url=|archive-date=}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite web |url=http://f1savannahkittens.com |title=F1 Savannah Kittens|access-date=2023-02-24|website=savannah-cats.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121233005/https://www.f1savannahkittens.com/|archive-date=2023-01-21}}

{{Main|Blynx}}

{{unreferenced section|date=August 2016}}

The blynx or lynxcat is a hybrid of a bobcat (Lynx rufus) and some other species of genus Lynx. The appearance of the offspring depends on which lynx species is used, as the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is more heavily spotted than the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis). These hybrids have been bred in captivity and also occur naturally where a lynx or bobcat cannot find a member of its own species for mating.

At least seven such hybrids have been reported in the United States, outside of captivity. In August 2003, two wild-occurring hybrids between wild Canadian lynx and bobcats were confirmed by DNA analysis in the Moosehead region of Maine. Three hybrids were identified in northeastern Minnesota. These were the first confirmed hybrids outside of captivity. Mitochondrial DNA studies showed them all to be the result of matings between female Canada lynx and male bobcats. A male Canada lynx × bobcat hybrid was trapped in 1998, radio-collared and released, only to die of starvation. The female hybrid was fertile.{{clarify|date=August 2016|reason=Which female hybrid, and according to what source?}} In November 2003, a spotted lynxcat was observed in Illinois, {{convert|500|mi|km}} from normal lynx territory, but it may have been an escaped hybrid pet.

The hybrids closely resembled bobcats with larger bodies and smaller feet, but had some lynx-like features: long ear tufts and almost completely black-tipped tails. The Canada lynx is a protected species in 14 US states constituting the southern part of its historic range, but the hybrids are not protected and may be shot by hunters. However, some of odd-looking Lynx may be colour morphs of either bobcats or Canada lynx rather than hybrids. This poses the danger that protected Canada lynx are being killed.

The Euro-chaus is a human-induced hybrid between the European wildcat (Felis silvestris) and the jungle cat species (Felis chaus). It should not be confused with the Euro-chausie, which is a cross between the domestic Chausie breed and a European wildcat {{crossreference|(see below)}}.

The marlot is a hybrid between a male margay (Leopardus wiedii) and female ocelot (L. pardalis). In May 1977, the Long Island Ocelot Club (LIOC) announced the birth of a marlot bred by Barbara Brocks using captive-bred parents. There was no description of the marlot, but the parent species both have rosetted or marbled patterns on a sandy background.Newsletter, Long Island Ocelot Club, May 1977{{better source needed|date=August 2016|reason=This is essentially unverifiable, has no page number, and isn't from a reputable publisher anyway.}}

There were attempts to breed the margay with the oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus) by Dutch breeder Mme Falken-Rohrle in the 1950s. These appear to have been unsuccessful.Fernand Mery "The life, history and magic of the cat" 1967{{page needed|date=August 2016}}

In the 19th and 20th centuries, various cougar hybrids with differing big cats were attempted in captivity and reportedly successful, including cougar × leopard (called a pumapard), and cougar × jaguar.{{Cite web|url=http://messybeast.com/genetics/hyb-pumaxleop.htm|title=Pumapard & Puma/Jaguar Hybrids}}

Additionally, at least one instance of hybridization between a cougar and an ocelot has occurred in captivity.{{Cite journal |last1=Dubost |first1=G. |last2=Royère |first2=J. Y. |title=Hybridization between ocelot (Felis pardalis) and puma (Felis concolor) |date=1993 |journal=Zoo Biology |volume=12 |issue=3 |pages=277–283 |doi=10.1002/zoo.1430120305 |url= https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/zoo.1430120305|url-access=subscription }}

{{unreferenced section|date=August 2016}}

The domestic cat, known variously as Felis catus, F. silvestris catus, or F. lybica catus, a descendant of the African wildcat (F. lybica), has been hybridized with several wild felid species. These wild-domestic hybrids have sometimes been called "feral-domestic hybrids". However, this is a misnomer, because feral refers to a domesticated population species which has reverted to living without human caretakers. Most of these are artificial hybrids (i.e., bred intentionally by humans), though natural hybridization has occurred {{crossreference|(see below)}}.

Some pairings have given rise to more than one variety, bred for distinctive appearances and different percentages of wild felid genes. They may thus form distinct breeds with separate breed standards, though many of these hybrids are not recognized by any major breed registry. At least two are the result of incidental interbreeding without human intervention, but the majority are the result of experimental selective-breeding hybridization (as with wolfdogs) for the exotic pet market.

• Bengal: domestic cat × Asian leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis, usually the P. b. bengalensis subspecies) {{cite web|url=https://www.bengalcatsprice.com/|title=Bengal Cat Breed|author=James|publisher=Bengal Cat aprice|date=25 February 2018|access-date=5 July 2022|archive-date=7 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407102412/https://www.bengalcatsprice.com/|url-status=dead}}{{unreliable source?|date=August 2023|certain=y|reason=Random blog about selling cats}}
• {{Section link|Bengal cat#Derived breeds}}: There are several more domestic cat breeds derived in part from Bengal stock.
• Bristol: domestic cat × margay (Leopardus wiedii); died out in the 1990s due to fertility problems. The few remaining fertile members would be bred into the Bengal breed to improve its genetic diversity.{{Cite web |url=http://messybeast.com/small-hybrids/bengalensis-margay-hybrids.htm |title=Domestic × Asian leopard cat and margay hybrids |access-date=2023-04-08|website=Messybeast.com}}
• Caracat: domestic cat × caracal; first case was accidental in the Moscow Zoo in 1998.
• Chausie: domestic cat × jungle cat species (Felis chaus)
• Kanaani: domestic cat × African wildcat (Felis lybica); commonly known to interbreed where their ranges overlap.{{cite journal |first1=Johannes |last1=Le Roux |first2=Llewellyn |last2=Foxcroft |first3=Marna |last3=Herbst |first4= Sandra |last4=MacFadyen |date=23 Dec 2014 |title=Genetic analysis shows low levels of hybridization between African wildcats (Felis silvestris lybica) and domestic cats (F. s. catus) in South Africa |journal=Ecology and Evolution |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=288–299 |publisher=National Library of Medicine |doi=10.1002/ece3.1275 |pmid=25691958 |pmc=4314262 }}{{cite book |last=Kingdon |first=J. |title=East African Mammals: An Atlas of Evolution in Africa, Volume 3, Part A: Carnivores |publisher=University of Chicago Press |year=1988 |isbn=978-0-226-43721-7 |pages=312−317 |chapter=Wild Cat (Felis sylvestris) |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bQjh35ER6ggC&pg=PA312}}
• Kellas cat: Naturally occurring landrace, domestic cat × Scottish wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris)
• Machbagral, viverral, and jambi: domestic cat × fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)
• Marguerite: domestic cat × sand cat (Felis margarita); kittens were born to a domestic female, in 2013 and another 20 hybrids in the United Kingdom in 2017{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/new-breed-among-highlights-of-cat-exhibition-in-surrey-a3434151.html|title=New breed among highlights of LondonCats show in Surrey|date=6 January 2017|last=Ackerman|first=Naomi|work=Evening Standard}}
• Safari cat: domestic cat × Geoffroy's cat (Leopardus geoffroyi){{Cite web |url=http://messybeast.com/small-hybrids/geoffroy-jaguarundi-hybrids.htm |title=Domestic × Geoffroy's cat, jaguarundi, fishing cat hybrids |access-date=2023-04-08|website=Messybeast.com}}{{cite journal |first=William |last=Murphy |date=2015 |title=Genetic Analysis of Feline Interspecies Hybrids |website=Vin.com |publisher=Veterinary Information Network |url=https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=12513&catId=51026&id=6976361&ind=24&objTypeID=17 |access-date=2 October 2023}}
• Savannah: domestic cat (including Bengal) × serval (Leptailurus serval){{cite web |url= https://www.tica.org/breeds/browse-all-breeds?view=article&id=870:savannah-breed&catid=79 |title=Savannah Breed |date=13 August 2018 |work=TICA.org |publisher=The International Cat Association |access-date=4 February 2024}}
• Unnamed: domestic cat × Chinese Mountain Cat; hybridization found around the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in a manner similar to the Kellas cat.{{cite journal |first1=Yue-Ting |last1=Xing |first2=Hao |last2=Meng |first3=Bing |last3=He |first4=Wen-Jing |last4=Li |first5=Xin-Zhang |last5=Qi |first6=Jian-You |last6=Xhao |first7=He |last7=Yu |first8=Yan |last8=Zhuang |first10=Xiao |last10=Xu |first11=Nobuyuki |last11=Yamaguchi |first12=Carlos |last12=Driscoll |first13=Stephen |last13=O’Brien |first9=Shu-Jin |last9=Luo |date=23 Jun 2021 |title=Genomic evidence for the Chinese mountain cat as a wildcat conspecific (Felis silvestris bieti) and its introgression to domestic cats |journal=Science Advances |volume=7 |issue=26 |doi=10.1126/sciadv.abg0221 |pmid=34162544 |pmc=8221621 |bibcode=2021SciA....7..221Y }}
• Unnamed: domestic cat × oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus): All known examples are infertile.{{Cite web |url=http://messybeast.com/small-hybrids/nigripes-oncilla-hybrids.htm |title=Domestic × oncilla and black footed cat hybrids |access-date=2023-04-08|website=Messybeast.com}}

• Domestic cat × bobcat (Lynx rufus): There are reports of bobcats breeding with domestic cats, but evidence of offspring remains circumstantial and anecdotal. Their interfertility is yet to be proven scientifically.{{cite web|url=http://www.messybeast.com/small-hybrids/rufus-lynx-hybrids.htm |title=Domestic × Bobcat/Lynx Hybrids |website=Messybeast.com |date=1975-06-27 |access-date=2016-08-17}}

• Panthera hybrid

{{Reflist}}

• I Kusminych & A Pawlowa ("Ein Bastard von Karakal Hauskatze im Moskauer Zoo" in Der Zoologische Garten Vol. 68, No. 4 (1998)) (A Hybrid of Caracal and House Cat in Moscow Zoo).
• Paul Leyhausen (Oncilla × domestic cat hybrids)
• Mike Tomkies, "Wildcats" (and various other works regarding Scottish Wildcats)
• Frances Pitt, "Wild Animals in Britain" (1939) (Scottish Wildcat hybrids)
• Edward Hamilton, 1896 (Scottish Wildcat hybrids)
• [http://messybeast.com/genetics/hyb-lynx-bobcat.htm LYNX AND BOBCAT HYBRIDS]

• {{Commons category-inline}}
• [http://www.messybeast.com/small-hybrids/hybrids.htm Hybrids between Wild and Domestic Cats]
• [http://www.messybeast.com/genetics/hybrid-cats.htm Hybrid Felids (non-domestic)]
• [https://www.savannahcat.de/hybridkatzen-wissenswertes-ueber-die-seltenen-exoten/ Interesting facts about the hybrid cats] (German version)

{{Mammal hybrids}}

Hybrids

Category:Intergeneric hybrids