Playing Dr. Moreau: Karaketov - the most expensive and rarest breed of cats

• Playing Doctor Moreau: Karaketov - the most expensive and rarest breed of cats

Novel about the experiments of Dr. Moreau was published back in 1896, and it is difficult to imagine a more bizarre and monstrous manipulation of the genes of living beings. However, it is the story itself comes to mind when looking at Karaketov - cats that have never existed in nature, if not for human intervention.

Karaketov were removed only recently - in 2007. It caracals hybrid - large wild cats and quite aggressive, almost not be tamed - and Abyssinian cats, one of the varieties of conventional pets. Their fur is uniformly red, without stripes or spots, though in some individuals, there are markings on the legs, tail and belly, and dark stripes over the eyes, inherited from the Abyssinian genetics.

The first generation Karaketov - F1 - also has distinctive features caracals: big ears with black tassels at the end. Such hybrid looks like a wild animal, although in fact already is not. The voice of the animal is also not like the voice of domestic cats. These cats do not meow, they growl, grumble, trying to communicate in any way, except, indeed, very meow. The first generation usually Karaketov weighs about 13 kg, while the second-generation Karaketov noticeably "shallow" and weigh about 9 kg already. These cats have a much more flexible "home" in nature and are able to meow.

In the external parameters Abyssinian cats and caracals very suited to each other. There is only one very significant problem for crossing these rocks - the size. Caracals males weigh 15-19 kg, while a normal domestic cat weighs 4-5 kg. The issue is not always just the problem of crossing these breeds, but also the survival of the offspring. For cats are kittens too much - and it often does if it is not serious health problems, then at least stress. All this makes Karaketov the rarest - and most expensive - cat breed. Now there are about 30 such individuals, and the value of one of them can cost a half million rubles ($ 23,400) and more.

Home Abyssinian cat.

And of course, as so often with exotic species, Karaketov owners are faced with another problem: the genetic mutation. Such animals may have digestive problems, they are susceptible to rabies, they are more aggressive and male urine has a very strong smell, which is inherent in a wild animal. What features will be the next generation, if they are not yet known. But for those who want to have such an unusual pet is a minor problem - Karaketov look like a wild cat, but their character is already pacified. But do they have the right to exist? This question is difficult to answer. Not everyone approves of playing Dr. Moreau, but the results of this work already exists, and it is a very beautiful result, not like one of the monsters of the famous novel.