California Spangled facts for kids

Quick facts for kids California Spangled Cat
Other names	Spangle
Origin	California
Breed standards
TICA	standard
Domestic cat (Felis catus)

The California Spangled is a special breed of domestic cat. These cats were bred to look like spotted wild cats, such as the ocelot or leopard. They were first bred in the 1980s. This breed has always been quite rare. Only 58 California Spangled cats were ever officially registered. They were also very expensive, costing between US$800 and $2,500. Other spotted cat breeds, like the Ocicat and the Bengal, became more popular, which meant the California Spangled did not become as well known.

A famous scientist named Louis Leakey was very sad when a leopard was killed illegally. This made him want to help protect leopards. He inspired Paul Arnold Casey, Jr. from California to create a domestic cat that looked like a small leopard. The idea was to show people how important it is to protect wild leopards.

California Spangled cats are a mix of many different cat breeds. These include the Abyssinian, American Shorthair, and British Shorthair. Even though they look wild, they are completely tame and friendly pets.

How the California Spangled Cat Began

Paul Arnold Casey, Jr. was a writer from Hollywood. He started breeding these cats after he came back from Tanzania in the 1970s. He had been working there with Louis Leakey. Casey wrote a book called "Open The Coffin." This book tells the story of his time in Africa and how he later created the California Spangled cat.

The main goal was to breed a cat that looked exactly like a leopard. People even called them "House-Leopards." One reason for this was a hope that if people had a pet that looked like a leopard, they would not want to wear clothes made from real leopard fur.

The California Spangled cat was first shown to the public in 1986. It appeared on the cover of the famous Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog.

What Do California Spangled Cats Look Like?

When you first see a California Spangled cat, it looks like a tiny leopard. They have long, lean, and strong bodies. They also walk in a low, slinky way. The most special thing about them is their spots! The best spots are round, but also a bit square-shaped. Spots that are triangular, oval, or just square are also fine.

Their fur can come in many different colors. These include bronze, gold, blue, brown, charcoal, red, black, silver, or white. They have clear cheekbones and big, light-colored whisker pads. Even though they might look wild, California Spangled cats are very much domestic pets. They love to play and spend time with their human families.

What is Their Personality Like?

California Spangled Cats are known for being very loving and friendly. They are also curious about everything around them. They become very devoted to their owners. These cats love to make eye contact and be part of whatever is happening. They often like to sit on high places, like your shoulder or a shelf. This way, they can see everything that is going on.

They are very smart and good at sports. They have a lot of energy and can sometimes do amazing acrobatic moves by accident! California Spangled Cats love to pounce and have excellent hunting skills. They also really enjoy playing games where their owners join in the fun.

See also

In Spanish: California Spangled para niños