Cats are one of the most popular pets in the world, with over 600 million domestic cats living with humans. There are over 70 recognized cat breeds that come in a stunning array of colors, patterns, sizes, and personalities. While some cat breeds like the Persian and Siamese are quite common, others are incredibly rare with only a few hundred existing in the world. But what cat breed is the rarest? Let’s explore some of the least common cat types to find the rarest of them all.
Rarest Natural Breeds
There are a few naturally occurring rare cat breeds that originate from specific regions around the world. These include:
- Kurilian Bobtail – With only around 100 existing in the world, this wild cat breed is native to the Kuril Islands north of Japan. They have a unique bobbed tail and coat that comes in a variety of colors.
- Turkish Van – Originating from southwest Asia, these striking white cats with colored heads and tails have a semi-longhaired coat. They love swimming and only around 150 exist worldwide.
- Peterbald – This hairless or nearly hairless cat comes from Russia and has an elegant slender body. With just 200 registered as pedigreed cats globally, they are exceptionally rare.
Rarest Hybrid Breeds
There are also a number of rare hybrid cat breeds that have been deliberately cross-bred in recent decades. These unique cats include:
- Chausie – A jungle cat hybrid, there are less than 3000 Chausies in the world. They have a tall, slender, yet muscular build and short coat that can be solid, grizzled, ticked or spotted.
- Savannah – Crossing a domestic cat with an African Serval created this exceptionally tall, slim cat breed. They can grow up to 30lbs but only around 1000 exist globally.
- Toyger – Bengal cats were bred with domestic shorthairs to create this small-to-medium, striped tabby that resembles a mini tiger. There are estimated to be only around 400 Toygers worldwide.
The Rarest of Them All
So which cat breed is the rarest in the world? That prestigious title goes to the incredibly uncommon Andean Mountain Cat.
Also known as the Andean Cat, this exotic feline is native to the high Andes Mountains of South America. At up to 26 lbs, they are medium-sized with a silvery grey or brownish-yellow coat and thick bushy tail with black rings. Their fur is dense and soft to help conserve heat in the freezing mountain temperatures.
Sadly, less than 2500 mature Andean Cats are left in the wild making them an endangered species. This is due to threats from habitat loss, hunting and competition from larger predators. There are no Andean Cats kept as pedigreed pets.
Some key facts about the rarest cat breed include:
- Scientific name is Leopardus jacobita
- Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List
- Average lifespan is 8-10 years in the wild
- Weigh between 7-15 lbs fully grown
- Carnivorous and feed on small mammals like viscachas, birds and lizards
- Main threats are habitat destruction, hunting and competition from pumas
Why Are They So Rare?
There are a few key reasons why the Andean Mountain Cat remains extremely rare, including:
- Remote habitat – They live only in the harsh, rugged terrain of the Andes at altitudes between 11,000-17,000 ft
- Low population density – Up to 1 cat per 22 square km needed to find prey
- Low reproduction rates – Small litters of 1-3 kittens born once a year
- High mortality rates – Kittens have 50% mortality before 1 year old
- Hunting and poaching – Illegally hunted for their soft fur
- Habitat loss – Mining, roads, agriculture reducing already small habitat
Their elusive nature high up in the harsh, uninhabited mountains makes them difficult to find and study in the wild. Without concerted conservation efforts, the Andean Mountain Cat may vanish entirely in our lifetime.
Conclusion
The Andean Mountain Cat’s incredibly limited population and remote habitat make it the rarest cat breed in the world today. As an endangered wild feline facing grave threats to its survival, concerted efforts are needed to protect these mystical cats and their fragile ecosystem in the Andean mountains.
While domestic cat breeds like the Kurilian Bobtail and Peterbald are also extremely rare, the Andean Cat takes the title for least populous wild cat on Earth. We can only hope that through awareness and conservation, this rare animal is able to bounce back from the brink of extinction.