Detailed information on hybridisation in big cats. Includes tigons, ligers, leopons and others.

Servicals:

The mixing of different species in zoos can sometimes result in hybrid offspring. The first recorded litter of four servicals (serval/caracal hybrids) occurred in the early 1990s after a Los Angeles facility kept the two species in the same quarters.

Like all hybrids the kittens shared the characteristics of both parents, having the big serval tufted ears and typical caracal pelage.

Two of the kittens died and the remaining offspring were donated to an animal shelter at the age of 8-months. After this time no more is known of them.

[Photograph Group #1.]

Caravals:

Caravals (caracal/serval hybrids) are usually a little larger than their parents and have serval-like ears, though with short tufts. The pelage base colour is similar to the caracal and covered with serval spots.

'Maradi', is 50% serval and 50% caracal.

'Nairobi' (below) is 75% serval and 25% caracal.

These cat species (caracals, servals, and hybrids of the two) are frequently bred for the home market, but with their territorial tendencies and ability to leap 12 feet straight up in the air, they should only be considered by people with training and experience in wildcat management.

[Photographs #2 & 3.]

Others:

There exist rumours of hybridisations between various other cats, however this site has (as yet) no data on these that would help substantiate the claims. The hybridised species include:

Lions with leopards (liards). These would be the captive equivalent of the marozi which is covered elsewhere in this section of the site.

Black-footed cats (now very rare) with domestic cats. This sounds a more than plausible claim.

Other Hybrid Cats - Page 1&2: Other Rare & Common Hybrids | 3: Natural Hybridisation |
4: Breeding For New Domestic Species

Hybrids Index | Home