Safari vs Calico - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Safari vs Calico - Breed ComparisonCalico is originated from Egypt but Safari is originated from United States. Both Calico and Safari are having almost same weight. Calico may live 4 years less than Safari. Both Calico and Safari has same litter size. Both Calico and Safari requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

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Egypt
United States
Weight Male:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
9 - 11 kg
19 - 25 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
9 - 11 kg
19 - 25 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 16 Years
17 - 20 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
None
None
Colors Available:
White, black and orange
black, cream, Silvery gray
Coat:
Long or short
Short with black markings
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

calicoNobody can say with certainty where Calico cats originate from, but it is thought they they hail from Egypt, and that they later came to port cities in Spain, Italy and France.

Today these cats are found all over the world. Wherever these cats come from, they are 99.9% female and this is because of the cat’s unique chromosomal makeup. Most of the calico or tortoiseshell male cats are because of the chromosome abnormality.

The weird aspect with these amazing cats is because of their unique genetic makeup, and also because of the fact that the males are born sterile, these cats can’t be bred and they can emerge in different litters.

Since 2001 this cat has been Maryland's state cat. An interesting fact is that the Calico became the official cat of the state of Maryland because of its amazing colors of its fur which happen to be fairly similar to that of the Baltimore Oriole, the state bird.

safariThe Safari Cat, hailing from the USA, is one of the rarest breeds of cats. There are only about 70 of these cats registered at the International Cat Association.

The Safari cat is a mix of a moggy and Geoffroy's cat. At first, the cat was used for research purposes by Washington State University but then cat breeders took over the development of the breed.

The name ‘Safari’ was chosen because of its wild look.

Description

calico kitten - descriptionCalico cats are known for their jaunty tri-colored coats with color such as white, black and orange. In fact, to be known as a Calico cat, these 3 colors need to be present, Calico isn’t a breed of cat as such, but is actually referring to the cat’s color variations.

Some of the most distinctive breeds of cars such a the Cornish Rex and Persians have these calico coats. One odd spec with these cats is that nearly all calico cats are female and this is because of the chromosomal makeup.

Size, coat texture, shade of coat, coat length and ear shapes can all vary with the type of calico cats you get so their weight can be anything from 3 to 7kg.

Temperament:

As mentioned, Calico cats aren’t a specific breed, and that is why it is actually difficult to describe the personality of a calico cat.

You’ll find certain calico cat owners describing their cat’s behavior but you won’t find any particular scientific studies of the cat’s personality. You could have a calm cat, one that is laid-back, a very vocal cat or a very active cat. In other words, these cats can be quiet, calm, excitable, friendly, shy, or mellow – their personality is formed from the way they are brought up and socialized.

safari kitten - descriptionThe hybrid Safari cat is a medium to large-sized cat that at first weighed in the region of 15kg, but the cat now weighs roughly 11kg.

Its body is much like that of the wild parent, the Geoffroy – muscular and compact. The ears aren’t particularly large and are smallish, rounded ears with a fairly broad head.

It has a typical wild cat look and is a spotted or rosetted cat breed. Below the spots, the coat is a silvery grey shade.

The coat which is short actually comes in a variety of colors that come from both cat breeds. The eyes of this cat are either yellow or green. The Safari cat certainly has a wild cat appearance, because of the cross-breeding. This is a rare cat and because of this, there is no breed standard for it.

They can live to be between 17 and 20 years of age.

Temperament:

Even though one of the parent breeds is a wild cat, the Safari cat is described as an easy-going cat that can make a good pet.

The cat is very intelligent and playful and will enjoy swimming and climbing. It is for this purpose that he needs to have quite a large outside enclosure with a pool of sorts so that he can paddle.

There isn’t much information on their interaction with children and other pets in the home. While they are quite likely to make good pets where there are children, there would have to be supervision where there are small children. During play, these cats can bit. It would be extremely important to teach children to respect any animal and to be gentle and kind to them.

Characteristics

calico cat - characteristicsThe Calico is such an amazing type of cat and because it comes from so many cat breeds, the personality will vary, although having said that, there are a few characteristics that seem to be specifically attributed to the Calico cat.

One thing is for sure, these are intelligent, sweet, appealing, warm-hearted, loving cats that are good with children too. Perhaps in keeping with the quirky, jaunty coat, there is some quirkiness in the personality too, but that is precisely what makes these amazing cats the interesting characters they are.

To add to that, when you do research, you find that some have acted in bravey and saved their humans from harm in one way or the other.

safari cat - characteristicsAs a hybrid cat, your Safari is interesting alright, but unfortunately, you can’t ever be 100% sure of a hybrid cat. It needs careful consideration before you bring one into your home.

Apart from coming into the home from time to time, hybrid cats need an outside enclosure too that is securely fenced and gated and with a roof.

You made a decision to buy a cat with a wild side. It may live up to all your expectations but it may not either.

When you do research you find that the biggest number of behavioral complaints from owners of hybrid cats are about aggression issues and the refusal to use a litter box when indoors.

There is still a raging debate going on as to whether hybrids make suitable pets, but when you bring any animal into your home, as a responsible adult it is your job to provide well for it to ensure its happiness.

Health Problems

calico kittens - health problemsThe lifespan of the Calico cat be anything really and if you provide your calico with a wonderful home it will be able to reach 15 years of age.

Sometimes Klinefelteris Syndrome is a threat with this cat as a result of the XXY chromosomes. Their health is impacted because the disease can cause problems such as increased body fat and reduced bone mineral content.

safari kittens - health problemsThe Safari cat isn’t a particularly well-known breed so there isn’t much information on their health. They can suffer from the same illnesses as non-hybrid domestic cats.

Certain hybrid breeds, such as the Safari, can sometimes have issues with reproduction as some cats are infertile. Domestic cats and wild cats have a different number of chromosomes and this results in reproductive problems, and stillbirths are quite common.

Caring The Pet

calico cats - caringGently brush the Calico’s fur from time to time to ensure the jaunty colored coat is always shiny and healthy. It helps with the removal of dead hair as well and the cat enjoys the attention.

Every cat requires vaccines to prevent him from getting the deadly cat viruses there are, and to keep the cat free from parasites.

If there are any warning signs that there’s something wrong with your Calico, get him to the vet immediately.

Your Calico kitten will need to receive 3 meals a day. As your cat matures, two smaller meals a day will be good for your cat. You’ll find both canned- and dry packaged foods and your cat will let you know which one he prefers.

Your adorable Calico may beg for treats in between but as a responsible pet owner, make sure you don’t allow your Calico to overeat as obesity brings its own set of health issues.

safari cats - caringIt is recommended that you brush this cat each week. He isn’t a big shedder but the brushing once a week keeps the fur in good condition, removing loose hairs and dust.

A high protein diet is imperative. Cats are carnivores and a meat diet is imperative. You can speak to your vet or a cat expert about feeding your Safari cat. Certainly, they need to be fed high-quality cat food. These foods are available in wet and dry form.

He will definitely need some raw meat. Make sure you understand the ingredients in some low- quality cat foods as corn for cats can be a problem for them, hard to digest and it could cause intestinal problems.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Calico vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. Calico vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. Calico vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. Calico vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. Calico vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. Calico vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. Calico vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. Calico vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. Calico vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. Calico vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Calico vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Calico vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  13. Calico vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  14. Calico vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  15. Calico vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  16. Calico vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  17. Calico vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  18. Calico vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  19. Calico vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  20. Calico vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  21. Calico vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  22. Calico vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  23. Calico vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  24. Calico vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. Calico vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison
  26. Safari vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. Safari vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. Safari vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. Safari vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. Safari vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. Safari vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. Safari vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. Safari vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. Safari vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. Safari vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  36. Safari vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. Safari vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  38. Safari vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  39. Safari vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  40. Safari vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. Safari vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  42. Safari vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  43. Safari vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  44. Safari vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  45. Safari vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  46. Safari vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  47. Safari vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  48. Safari vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  49. Safari vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  50. Safari vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison