Cats and Fish

No so good idea to let a cat with a fish !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What do you thing ???
Tell me some nice ideas about !!

Η γατες μας θελουν Αγκαλιες

Τα πιο γλυκά και όμορφα πλασματάκια έπανω στη γή ζητούν τις αγκάλιες μας !!!!!

More Hugs

Tell her how much you care. When hugging her, be sure to let her know how much you love her and what she means to you. When we hug, we're usually in a good, or at least, a mellow mood. Cats will pick up on your vibes, so be sure to tell her: "You are the BEST cat in the world!" If you have more than one cat, say "You are the best (type of cat, gender, size, color or age) in the world!" but take the hugs in turn; one cat, one hug at a time! Even when you feel lonely and miserable, a cat can be ready for a hug. Just take care not to overdo it; you can't drain out all your sadness by hugging her all the tighter!

Cherish the moment. Your cat loves you, and you love her. Don't hug too long though; cats, like very independent human beings, are not into prolonged expressions of affection and it's likely that there is something else to be getting on with, like napping, mouse-catching, or eating.

How to Hug a Cat

1)Wash your hands. You're going to have to be clean because cats are clean and they like clean owners too. If your cat is strict, maybe take a shower. If she hates your perfume, don't spray it on when intending to hug her. And wash your hands after the hug; your cat's clean on her terms but that doesn't mean she's clean enough to prevent the transfer of pathogens when you eat or pick your nose.

2)Decide whether you'll hug her on the spot or pick her up and give her a hug. This will depend on her temperament, where she is currently sitting, sprawling, or chasing her tail around. If hugging her on the spot, simply open your arms wide and maneuver yourself so that you can get down close to her on her chair (your chair that she won long ago), on the floor, on her favorite basket, wherever. It's also really special to curl up next to her on the sofa or bed and just hang out together for a bit, nice and cozy. If you're going to pick her up, decide whether you'll hug her standing or whether you'll go and sit down together for a hug (the latter being a little more stable if she decides to struggle).
When picking up a cat, scoop her up with one hand under her chest and the other hand supporting her rear quarters with the tail tucked over. Keep her close to your body as this will ensure that she feels secure.



3)You could also try hugging your cat while you're lying down. This makes it very easy on both of you because she can see you're already harmless and therefore vulnerable and she can simply sit on top of you for the hug, safe in the knowledge that she can get away when it all gets too much.

4)Hug your cat. Remember two very important things: One, your cat is a lot smaller than you and no matter how beefy she seems, she is delicate and fragile while you are not by comparison. Two, she has claws and sharp teeth; should you antagonize her in any way whatsoever, she is unlikely to hold back but will let you know only too well that you've been too brusque, invasive, or downright bossy. So, when hugging her, be gentle, be considerate, and don't crowd her out. Hug her as you would hug a human being but far more gently and with consideration for the fact that she is, after all, a cat.
Give her lots of pats and strokes before and after hugging her. This is a moment of togetherness and she'll enjoy the extra attention. Even if the hug doesn't thrill her, she'll love all the affection and attention.

5)Be sure to snuggle into her fur with your nose and face as you hug. Cats smell wonderful to many people, so snuggling is enjoyable (did you know that the reason they smell so good is because their saliva contains a cleaning agent and a deodorant?)

How Cats Drink

For the last several years, four professors from prestigious institutions have been looking for the answer to a simple question: how does a cat drink? This high-speed footage helped them figure it out.

Dogs use their tongues like ladles, sloppily carrying water up from the bowl to their mouths and often getting their chins and snouts wet in the process. Cats, dainty creatures that they are, have devised a way to beat gravity and drink water without making a mess.

The cat curls the tip of its tongue underneath itself and then lightly touches the liquid with the tongue's surface. It then jerks its tongue up, snapping a column of water up along with it. The cat drinks the stream before gravity has a chance to pull it back down—a process it can perform four times a second. "What we found is that the cat uses fluid dynamics and physics in a way to absolutely optimize tongue lapping and water collection," one of the researchers said. "Cats are just smarter than dogs from the point of view of fluid mechanics," trolled another.



Apparently no one knew quite how this whole thing worked until now, which is kinda weird, because it seems kinda obvious? Anyway, It was four years ago that MIT professor Roman Stocker grew curious about how his cat was drinking, and, along with three colleagues and a borrowed high-speed camera, he's been researching the cat-lap ever since. Visits to zoos confirmed that all cats, even the real big ones, drink by snapping up columns of liquid, though with their huge tongues lions only have to lap roughly two times a second. The researchers aren't sure what application this newfound understanding might have, thought they suggest it could eventually be useful in robotics, because, hey, why not.

cat care

General Cat Care

Many people get a cat thinking that they need no care. This is a misconception. Cats do need love and care. They need to be fed, groomed, trained and loved. They need to be protected from disease and hazards. Cats today are different from the wild cats of our ancestors and quite content to have people provide these things. They need care when we go out of town. They may also need to be treated for medical conditions.



If you want to be a better cat-owner, here are some pointers to help you take care of your cat in the best way possible. Hygiene, training, and grooming are all addressed in a logical, easy to understand format. How to use treats is addressed, so that they stay treats, not a general practice.

Cats need food, litter boxes, and flea control. Their people need the correct supplies to take care of them. While there are many good products in the general marketplace, there are specialty items you may not be aware of or may be paying top-dollar for. I can help with the latter. Specialty items can be purchased directly from the suppliers at a price that makes their use more appealing, often with free shipping.

Xerones


Cat care consists of attending to the physical comforts of your cat, emotional and intellectual stimulation, and love. The physical is easy. All the "things" you need are easily accesible. Emotional and intellectual stimulation are in the way you relate to your cat. Talk to your cat. Treat it as a friend and it will be one to you. Allow your cat to express it's unique personality. Stimulate it's natural intellect with toys, games and training.

By simply relating to your cat as you go about your day; talking to it when you enter the room, calling it for food or bed; your cat will become attentive to you. You will find your cat coming around to say "hello," asking for cuddles and play.

Tickler wands and other interactive toys will always help your cat to relate to you. Because these toys are only available for play when you offer them, your cat will ask you for them. Your cat can easily be trained to playing with these toys by offering the toys, and when your cat loses interest, give a treat and a cuddle. The treats and toys will give your cat an added reason to play with you besides the exercise and enjoyment it gets by chasing the toy you offer.

Cat Feeding - Common Mistakes

Plan as you continue to go: If you don't want your cat to scrounge food from your plate then don't ever give him tidbits. It may seem cute to occasionally indulge him in this way, but it encourages begging behaviour, which is highly likely to become ingrained behaviour. So, if you don't want your cat to learn that it is acceptable to expect food from your plate, don't do it.

This also applies to allowing your cat to jump up onto benches or the dining table. Not only is it a bad habit to allow for hygiene reasons, but it is also potentially dangerous. If your cat learns that it is acceptable to jump up & take food, it may eventually eat something which is either poisonous to it (many human foods are poisonous to cats), or injure itself on a cooked bone.

Feeding human food: If you do want to give your cat human food, don't make a habit of doing so as it isn't nutritionally balanced for the cat. The occasional table scrap is fine, if only given very occasionally, and always put the food into the cat's bowl. Also bear in mind that if you feed human food regularly, it may make your cat picky & less likely to want to eat his own food.

Feeding food past it's use by date: Cats are not waste disposal systems. If the food is out of date, or has spoiled & isn't fit for human consumption, then it is not acceptable to expect your cat to eat it. Cats can become sick with food poisoning just like humans can. If in any doubt whatsoever, don't give it to your cat.

Feeding dog food: Cats have different nutritional requirements to dogs & feeding them dog food will result in taurine deficiency. Dogs eat dog food & cats eat cat food.

Too much of one type: This mainly refers to people feeding a home made diet. Unless you are well versed in feline nutrition then it is best to feed a commercial cat food which has all the necessary nutrients in it.

Two foods which can cause problems are tuna & liver. Tuna can cause steatitis (yellow fat disease) if given too often & liver can cause vitamin A toxicosis (cod liver oil can also cause vitamin A toxicosis & therefore should be avoided). So, while it is fine tuna & liver to give them to your cat, make sure you do so in moderation.

Feeding a diet with lots of raw fish. Raw fish contains the enzyme thiaminase which destroys thiamine (Vitamin B1), resulting in thiamine deficiency. Cooking destroys thiaminase, thus protecting thiamine.

Dieting: Dieting in cats, especially obese cats should be done under the supervision of your veterinarian. Weight loss needs to be done very slowly in order to prevent your cat from getting Feline Hepatic Lipidosis (fatty liver disease).

Toxic foods: Many pet owners make the assumption that because a food is safe for human consumption it must be safe for our cats to eat. This isn't the case, and there are foods which are toxic or dangerous for our cats to eat. Chocolate for example contains a substance called theobromine which is extremely toxic to cats, grapes & raisins contain an unknown toxin which causes kidney damage. Onions cause a type of anaemia.

This is another reason why it is always inadvisable to feed your cat table scraps & tidbits off your plate. For a more extensive list of foods which are dangerous for your cat to eat, please read here...

Vegetarian food: Cats are obligate carnivores, they must eat meat to survive. If you are against eating meat for moral or ethical reasons then that is a choice you are able to make. As humans, we can get along just fine without consuming meat. Cats cannot, so please don't try to make your cat eat a vegetarian diet.

Snacks: It's tempting to share food with our favourite feline companions but it is not a good idea to make a habit of offering them snacks as this can lead to obesity. Also, if you are offering them a bite or two of your turkey sandwich this may decrease their appetite when it comes to meal time, making them eat less of their nutritionally balanced cat food.

Jaguar

The jaguar (Panthera onca) is a big cat, a feline in the Panthera genus, and is the only Panthera species found in the Americas. The jaguar is the third-largest feline after the tiger and the lion, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. The jaguar's present range extends from Southern United States and Mexico across much of Central America and south to Paraguay and northern Argentina. Apart from a known and possibly breeding population in Arizona (southeast of Tucson), the cat has largely been extirpated from the United States since the early 20th century.

This spotted cat most closely resembles the leopard physically, although it is usually larger and of sturdier build and its behavioral and habitat characteristics are closer to those of the tiger. While dense rainforest is its preferred habitat, the jaguar will range across a variety of forested and open terrain. It is strongly associated with the presence of water and is notable, along with the tiger, as a feline that enjoys swimming. The jaguar is largely a solitary, opportunistic, stalk-and-ambush predator at the top of the food chain (an apex predator). It is a keystone species, playing an important role in stabilizing ecosystems and regulating the populations of the animals it hunts. The jaguar has an exceptionally powerful bite, even relative to the other big cats. This allows it to pierce the shells of armoured reptiles and to employ an unusual killing method: it bites directly through the skull of prey between the ears to deliver a fatal bite to the brain.

The jaguar is a near threatened species and its numbers are declining. Threats include habitat loss and fragmentation. While international trade in jaguars or their parts is prohibited, the cat is still frequently killed by humans, particularly in conflicts with ranchers and farmers in South America. Although reduced, its range remains large; given its historical distribution, the jaguar has featured prominently in the mythology of numerous indigenous American cultures, including that of the Maya and Aztec.

ιαγουάρος

ή τζάγκουαρ. Σαρκοφάγο ζώο, της οικογένειας των αιλουροειδών. Είναι ιθαγενές είδος της Αμερικής, όπου και απαντάται. Πολλοί τον ονομάζουν "αμερικανική τίγρη". Το μήκος του μπορεί να φτάσει το ενάμισι μέτρο, ενώ το ύψος του δεν ξεπερνά τα 80 εκατοστά. Έχει μαλακό και πυκνό τρίχωμα, ανοιχτόχρωμο, με μαύρες κηλίδες. Ζει κοντά σε ποτάμια και τρέφεται μ`άλλα ζώα, τα οποία σκοτώνει πηδώντας ταχύτατα πάνω τους. Το θηλυκό τζάγκουαρ γεννά 2-3 μικρά, τα οποία προστατεύει και εκπαιδεύει μέχρι να μεγαλώσουν και να είναι ικανά να ζήσουν μόνα τους. Γενικά τα τζάγκουαρ φοβούνται και δεν επιτίθενται στον άνθρωπο, ο οποίος τα κυνηγά (με κίνδυνο να τα εξαφανίσει) για την πολύτιμη γούνα τους.

Leopard

The leopard (play /ˈlɛpərd/), Panthera pardus, is a member of the Felidae family and the smallest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera, the other three being the tiger, lion, and jaguar. The leopard was once distributed across eastern and southern Asia and Africa, from Siberia to South Africa, but its range of distribution has decreased radically because of hunting and loss of habitat. It is now chiefly found in sub-Saharan Africa; there are also fragmented populations in Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Indochina, Malaysia, and China. Because of its declining range and population, it is listed as a "Near Threatened" species by the IUCN.

Compared to other members of the Felidae family, the leopard has relatively short legs and a long body with a large skull. It is similar in appearance to the jaguar, but is smaller and more slightly built. Its fur is marked with rosettes similar to those of the jaguar, but the leopard's rosettes are smaller and more densely packed, and do not usually have central spots as the jaguars do. Both leopards and jaguars that are melanistic (completely black or very dark) are known as black panthers.

The species' success in the wild is in part due to its opportunistic hunting behavior, its adaptability to habitats, its ability to run at speeds approaching 58 kilometres per hour (36 mph), its unequaled ability to climb trees even when carrying a heavy carcass, and its notorious ability for stealth. The leopard consumes virtually any animal that it can hunt down and catch. Its habitat ranges from rainforest to desert terrains.

Λεοπάρδαλη

Η λεοπάρδαλη (Panthera pardus, συχνά αποκαλείται και πάνθηρας) είναι σαρκοφάγο θηλαστικό ζώο που ανήκει στις αιλουρίδες.

Το ζώο έχει μήκος κοντά στα 2,4 μέτρα, με την ουρά να καταλαμβάνει τα 90 εκ. Ζυγίζει γύρω στα 68 κιλά ( τα θηλυκά λίγο λιγότερο ) . Έχει σχετικά μικρό κεφάλι, τα δόντια του όμως είναι κοφτερά, για να σκίζουν την σάρκα του θύματος. Τρέχει γρήγορα, κάνοντας άλματα μήκους 5 μέτρων.

Το τρίχωμα των πανθήρων μπορεί να έχει δύο χρώματα: να είναι μαύρο (τα άτομα αυτού του είδους είναι γνωστοί και ως μαύροι πάνθηρες, ή πάνθηρες σκέτο), ή σκούρο κίτρινο, με μαύρες κηλίδες που στο κέντρο τους έχουν κίτρινο.

Η λεοπάρδαλη ζευγαρώνει όλη την διάρκεια του χρόνου. Η εγκυμοσύνη διαρκεί γύρω στις 100 μέρες, και στο τέλος το θηλυκό γεννάει 3

μικρά, τα οποία αρχικά είναι τυφλά. Τα μικρά μένουν με τους γονείς τους μέχρι να ενηλικιωθούν. Η λεοπάρδαλη είχε κυνηγηθεί πολύ από το άνθρωπο για την όμορφή του γούνα, αλλά τώρα προστατεύεται με ειδικούς νόμους. Ζει στην Αφρική και στην Ν. Ασία. Η λεοπάρδαλη ανήκει στο γένος Panthera, στο ίδιο γένος ανήκουν το λιοντάρι (Panthera leo), η τίγρη (Panthera tigris) και το τζάγκουαρ (Panthera onca).

Black Panther (comics)

The Black Panther (T'Challa) is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and penciller-co-plotter Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966). He is the first black superhero in mainstream American comics, debuting several years before such early African-American superheroes as Marvel's the Falcon and Luke Cage, and DC Comics' Tyroc, Black Lightning and John Stewart.

White Siberian Tigers

The existence of white Siberian tigers has not been scientifically proven, despite occasional reports of sightings of white tigers in the regions where wild Siberian tigers live. It is quite possible that the gene for white coating does not exist in the Siberian tiger population, since no white Siberian tigers have been born in captivity even though the Siberian tiger has been extensively bred during the last few decades. The wild Siberian tiger population nearly went extinct during the middle of the 20th century, so it is also possible that the Siberian tigers carrying the gene for white coating died out during this period. More research is necessary before scientists can fully understand the genetic makeup of the Siberian tiger.

The famous white Siberian tigers found in captivity are actually not pure Siberian tigers. They are instead the result of Siberian tigers breeding with Bengal tigers. The gene for white coating is quite common among Bengal tigers, but the natural birth of a white Bengal tiger is still a very rare occasion in the wild, where white tigers are not bred selectively. A white tiger is caused by the occurrence of a double recessive allele in the genome. Estimations show that around one in 10,000 wild tiger births will result in a white tiger.

The white tiger is not considered a tiger subspecies, but rather a mutant variant of the existing tiger subspecies. If a pure white Siberian tiger were to be born, it would therefore not be selectively bred within the tiger conservation programs. It would, however, probably still be selectively bred outside the program in an effort to create more white Siberian tigers. Due to the popularity of white tigers, they are used to attract visitors to zoos.

Tiger

The tiger (Panthera tigris), a member of the Felidae family, is the largest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera.The tiger is native to much of eastern and southern Asia, and is an apex predator and an obligate carnivore. The larger tiger subspecies are comparable in size to the biggest extinct felids,reaching up to 3.3 metres (11 ft) in total length, weighing up to 300 kilograms (660 pounds), and having canines up to 4 inches (100 mm) long. Aside from their great bulk and power, their most recognisable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes that overlays near-white to reddish-orange fur, with lighter underparts. The most numerous tiger subspecies is the Bengal tiger, while the largest is the Siberian tiger.

Tigers have a lifespan of 10–15 years in the wild, but can live longer than 20 years in captivity. They are highly adaptable and range from the Siberian taiga to open grasslands and tropical mangrove swamps.

They are territorial and generally solitary animals, often requiring large contiguous areas of habitat that support their prey demands. This, coupled with the fact that they are indigenous to some of the more densely populated places on earth, has caused significant conflicts with humans. Three of the nine subspecies of modern tiger have gone extinct, and the remaining six are classified as endangered, some critically so. The primary direct causes are habitat destruction, fragmentation, and hunting.

Historically, tigers have existed from Mesopotamia and the Caucasus throughout most of South and East Asia. Today, the range of the species is radically reduced. All surviving species are under formal protection, yet poaching, habitat destruction, and inbreeding depression continue to threaten the tigers.

Tigers are among the most recognisable and popular of the world's charismatic megafauna. They have featured prominently in ancient mythology and folklore, and continue to be depicted in modern films and literature. Tigers appear on many flags and coats of arms, as mascots for sporting teams, and as the national animal of several Asian nations, including India.

The black panther

The black panther is a commonly used name for a black (melanistic) color variant of several species of wild cats. The term "panther" often refers to a "large cat" as the genus name Panthera is a taxonomic category that includes several species of felids including the lion, tiger, leopard and jaguar. In North America, however, the term "panther" refers to the cougar (genus Puma) while in Latin America it usually refers to a jaguar. Everywhere else, a "panther" refers to the leopard.

It's even more confusing due to the similarities between the genus Panthera and the genus Leopardus. Originally, these wild cats with the longer tails were all called panthers (genus Panthera, which DOES include the leopard) and others were called leopards (genus Leopardus, which does NOT include the leopard.)

Panthers may be spotted, (such as the spotted jaguar or spotted leopard,) tawny, (such as the puma or cougar,) white, or black. "Melanism" (the genetic term for full color black) is most commonly found in the jaguar (Panthera onca) and the leopard (Panthera pardus). Interestingly, in the jaguar, melanism is dominant, and in the leopard, this color trait is recessive (which means both parents must exhibit or carry the melanism allele). Some scientists believe that melanism may provide a selective advantage for survival since it is more commonly found in regions of dense forest, where light levels are lower. There are also some studies currently in the preliminary stages which may suggest that cats exhibiting melanism may also carry beneficial mutations in their immune systems.

Lion The king of the Animals

The lion (Panthera leo) is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg (550 lb) in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger. Wild lions currently exist in Sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia with an endangered remnant population in Gir Forest National Park in India, having disappeared from North Africa and Southwest Asia in historic times. Until the late Pleistocene, about 10,000 years ago, the lion was the most widespread large land mammal after humans. They were found in most of Africa, across Eurasia from western Europe to India, and in the Americas from the Yukon to Peru.The lion is a vulnerable species, having seen a possibly irreversible population decline of thirty to fifty percent over the past two decades in its African range.Lion populations are untenable outside designated reserves and national parks. Although the cause of the decline is not fully understood, habitat loss and conflicts with humans are currently the greatest causes of concern.

Lions live for ten to fourteen years in the wild, while in captivity they can live longer than twenty years. In the wild, males seldom live longer than ten years, as injuries sustained from continual fighting with rival males greatly reduce their longevity. They typically inhabit savanna and grassland, although they may take to bush and forest. Lions are unusually social compared to other cats. A pride of lions consists of related females and offspring and a small number of adult males. Groups of female lions typically hunt together, preying mostly on large ungulates. Lions are apex and keystone predators, although they scavenge as opportunity allows. While lions do not typically hunt humans, some have been known to do so.

Highly distinctive, the male lion is easily recognised by its mane, and its face is one of the most widely recognised animal symbols in human culture. Depictions have existed from the Upper Paleolithic period, with carvings and paintings from the Lascaux and Chauvet Caves, through virtually all ancient and medieval cultures where they once occurred. It has been extensively depicted in sculptures, in paintings, on national flags, and in contemporary films and literature. Lions have been kept in menageries since the time of the Roman Empire and have been a key species sought for exhibition in zoos the world over since the late eighteenth century. Zoos are cooperating worldwide in breeding programs for the endangered Asiatic

Cheetah The faster cat in earth

Fastest mammal on land, the cheetah can reach speeds of 60 or perhaps even 70 miles (97 or 113 kilometers) an hour over short distances. It usually chases its prey at only about half that speed, however. The cheetah's excellent eyesight helps it find prey during the day. Sometimes it perches on high places and watches for prey.

When it sights prey, the cheetah often begins to stalk. It creeps as close as possible before the attack. It may lift its head high to keep the prey in sight. But it keeps its body hidden. The cheetah is hard to see because its spotted coat blends with the tall, dry grass of the plains. Suddenly, the cheetah makes a lightning dash.It knocks its prey to the ground and then bites its throat. Once found throughout Asia and Africa, cheetahs today are racing toward extinction. Loss of habitat and declining numbers of their prey combine to threaten the future of these cats.

Cheetah The faster cat in earth

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large-sized feline (family Felidae) inhabiting most of Africa and parts of the Middle East. The cheetah is the only extant member of the genus Acinonyx, most notable for modifications in the species' paws. As such, it is the only felid with non-retractable claws and pads that, by their scope, disallow gripping (therefore cheetahs cannot climb vertical trees, although they are generally capable of reaching easily accessible branches). The cheetah, however, achieves by far the fastest land speed of any living animal—between 112 and 120 km/h (70 and 75 mph

in short bursts covering distances up to 500 m (1,600 ft), and has the ability to accelerate from 0 to over 100 km/h (62 mph) in three seconds.

Cheetah The faster cat in earth

Ο γατόπαρδος (Acinonyx jubatus), ή αλλιώς τσίτα, ή τσιτάχ, είναι το γρηγορότερο χερσαίο ζώο στον πλανήτη μας. Μπορεί να αναπτύξει ταχύτητα ως και 110 χλμ. την ώρα. Αυτό του επιτρέπει να κυνηγά πολύ γρήγορα θηράματα, όπως οι γαζέλες. Αντίθετα από τα άλλα αιλουροειδή, ο γατόπαρδος κυνηγά την ημέρα. Τα νύχια του δεν συστέλλονται και αυτό του επιτρέπει να γαντζώνεται στο έδαφος καθώς τρέχει και να επιταχύνει αστραπιαία. Αξιοσημείωτο είναι επίσης ότι μπορεί να στρίβει δίχως να μειώνουν την ταχύτητά του. Η ουρά του τον βοηθά να διατηρεί την ισορροπία του όταν τρέχει. Όταν δεν κυνηγά θηράματα, το τσίτα ξαπλώνει κάτω από τις σκιές των δέντρων και ξεκουράζεται. Η θηλυκή γεννά 3-6 μικρά τα οποία φροντίζει μόνη της μέχρι να φτάσουν την ηλικία των 18 μηνών και εγκαταλείψουν την μητέρα τους. Τα αδέλφια όμως παραμένουν και κυνηγούν μαζί, σαν ομάδα, μέχρι να γίνουν καλοί κυνηγοί. Ο γατόπαρδος μπορεί να εξημερωθεί εύκολα. Οι αρχαίοι Αιγύπτιοι τους χρησιμοποιούσαν για να κυνηγούν λαγούς και γαζέλες. Σήμερα το κυνήγι αυτό έχει εγκαταλειφθεί.

Puma cat

The Puma or Mountain Lion is a rather large cat, though it is classified as a smaller cat by scientists. Like smaller cats, pumas cannot roar though they can muster a very startling snarl or a piercing cry. In some places, these cats are also called cougars, catamounts, painted cats, panthers or painters. Scientists call them Puma concolor.

According to an old Mayan legend, all the animals of the jungle once looked the same until the gods offered to make them look different. The jaguar asked, "Let me be spangled with stars," and it was so. He was pleased with his gift and showed it to the puma. Not to be outdone, the puma asked the gods that he be as splendid as the jaguar, and it was so. Pleased with himself the puma went out to hunt. Unfortunately, he fell and rolled in the dust which clung to his still-wet design. For this foolishness he and all pumas thereafter went through life the color of the earth.

Minskin cat

Minskin. Another dwarf cat, the Minskin – a Boston native – is the result of crossbreeding the Sphinx with the Munchkin. This cat has short legs and very little hair. Because of its sweet disposition, the Minskin makes a perfect "lap cat". Breeders started developing this breed in 1998.

The cat from marvel Tigra

Singapura cat

The Singapura cat takes it's name from the Malaysian name for Singapore. The Singapura was brought to America in the 1970's. Also known as 'drain cats' because they were reputed to inhabit the city drains, they are also known as the Singapore River Cat.

In 1971, Hal Meadow, a geophysicist working in Singapore, noticed three unusual looking brown-ticked cats. Some boat crew. He sent these cats back to his friend Tommy (they weren't married at this time) in America aboard a company ship. Later, a fourth brown ticked cat was also shipped back to America. These cats were sent without export or import papers. Tommy who had an interest in genetics bred with these ticked cats. Apparently at the time she had no interest in starting a new breed, and therefore kept no paperwork. Then in 1974 the now married Hal & Tommy were transferred to Singapore & they brought along five of their cats, two Burmese & three grandchildren of the original cats shipped over from Singapore in 1971. These grandchildren were named Ticle, Tes & Pusse. They declared the Burmese as such to quarantine, not knowing what to declare the other three cats as, Tommy declared them to be Abyssinians as they looked like Brown Abyssinians to her.

The Meadows continued to breed with these cats. Ticle & Pusse had two kittens named George & Gladys. These cats were recognised by the Singapura Cat Club provisionally as Singapuras. Following the fall of Saigon in July 1975 the Meadows returned to America, bringing back Ticle, Tes, Pusse, George & Gladys. They then set about obtaining official recognition for the breed & in 1981 presented the Singapuras to the American CFA as a natural breed, in 1988 they were were accepted for championship status with the American CFA.

In 1980, another American cat breeder, visiting a SPCA shelter in Singapore, discovered a cat named Chico, with the same colouring and ticked coat of the Singapura. She was sent to a breeder by the name of Barbara Gilbertson in Washington, where she was a great asset to the limited gene pool.

There has been some controversy surrounding the breed's origins. An American Singapura breeder by the name of Gerry Mayes visited Singapore in 1987 to look for street cats fitting this description. He spoke to locals who didn't know anything about local cats fitting the description of the Singapura. Mr Mayes returned to America with several cats from Singapore but he also had some interesting information in regards to the original cats imported by the Meadows in 1974. The original story told by the Meadows was that they discovered Ticle, Tes & Pus in Singapore in 1974, however papers indicated that Ticle, Tes & Pus had in fact been brought into Singapore by the Meadows in 1974. As import records showed that the Meadows imported two Burmese & three Abyssinians it was suggested that there was no such 'local' cat in Singapore but the Singapura was in fact a Burmese x Abyssinian hybrid.

Another version is that the discrepancy was discovered when the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB) decided to adopt the Singapura as a mascot. While performing background checks on the breed, the discrepancies with the paperwork were discovered. In fact the Singapura was locally given the name 'Kucinta', meaning 'love cat' as a result of this campaign.

Tommy Meadows was asked to explain the discrepancy to the CFA on 9th & 10th February, 1990. Tommy explained the reason for the discrepancy was because Hal had been in Singapore in 1971 on a sensitive trip. Records proved that Hal had in fact been in Singapore in 1971. The CFA accepted Tommy's explanation & the breed is still recognised as a 'natural' breed.

The purpose of this article isn't to speculate how the breed came about, if it originated from the streets of Singapore or was a 'man-made' breed originating from America, it is just to tell the story of the breed, as has been told by others.
Appearance of the

:

Dainty and elegant, the Singapura has changed very little over the years.
People are usually drawn to the Singapuras angelic face, large expressive eyes, big ears and their ‘butter wouldn’t melt in the mouth’ demeanor.
Singapuras are a small to medium sized cat. Their size gives them a delicate appearance, though they are muscular and feel heavier than they look.
The Singapura is affectionate, good natured, gentle & extremely playful.
They have no inherent health problems & are generally a very robust cat.
The only other markings the Singapura have on their body is barring on the inner front legs and back knees and the remnants of the tabby m on their forehead.
The Singapura has a moderately stocky and muscular build. The head is rounded. The ears are large and the eyes are huge, almond shaped and can be green, hazel or yellow. Their nose, which is salmon toned and eyes are accentuated by dark eyeliner like outlines. The tail is slightly shorter than the body, slender with a black blunt tip. They have a close lying, satiny, ticked coat of sepia brown. This is the only accepted colour. This means that the individual hairs on the cat have alternating bands of sepia brown and the warm ivory ground colour. This gives the appearance of fine sand. Their muzzle, chin, chest and underside are all a warm ivory colour.
They have no inherent health problems and are generally a very robust cat.