![]() The only DNA test available was mitochondrial DNA testing which revealed that Rocky’s mom was 100% pure bobcat.Īs far as his dad…it couldn’t be proven either way. The state thought differently though but it was on them to prove that Rocky was (or was not) a bobcat and domestic cat hybrid. Rocky’s owner claimed that Rocky was a hybrid which meant he was allowed to live with her. One of the most famous cases of a potentially hybrid bobcat is Rocky the (Maybe) Bobcat. However, most states ( with some notable exceptions) don’t allow for a bobcat to be kept as a pet. Whether a cat is really a hybrid has a huge legal impact. While it can vary by state, most local laws allow for a hybrid animal to be kept as a pet and that includes a potential bobcat and domestic cat hybrid. Is It Legal To Own A Bobcat/Domestic Cat Hybrid? That may not seem like a big deal, but the need to identify potential bobcat hybrids comes up more than you’d think! We’ll look at a few example below. However, that’s not the case when it comes to bobcat and domestic cat hybrids, and researchers have noted that “Commercial microsatellite arrays and DNA barcoding have not been developed for identification of bobcat/domestic cat hybrids.” ![]() Wolf and canine hybrids have been studied extensively and as a result, the genetic testing for these animals is well established. Genetic Identification of Bobcat and Domestic Cat Hybrids Hybrid species have genetic markers from both parents and for common hybrids like wolf and dog mixes, there are well-established and widely available tests.īut when it comes to bobcat and house cat hybrids it gets a little tougher to figure out. When it comes to a potential bobcat and housecat hybrid, that means we should expect quite a bit of potential variation if the mating were to successfully produce offspring.īut without a clear visual indicator for hybrids, how can we tell if any species is hybrid? ![]() In other words, there’s a big difference between a liger with a tiger dad and a liger with a tiger mom! That means there’s no standard for what a coydog (coyote and dog) looks like or what a bobcat and domestic cat would look like.Įven more amazing is that even in species that can produce hybrids, the offspring will be different depending on which species is the dad and which is the mom. ![]() The genetics of hybrid species are complicated enough that it’s not just a pure blend of both parent species. I know, that might be a bit disappointing to hear but let’s take a closer look at the world bobcat and domestic cat hybrids.Ĭlosing Thoughts How Can You Identify A Hybrid Species? If such a hybrid were to exist, we could expect a bobcat/housecat hybrid to be larger, have an unusual tail, and potentially have a unique coat pattern. While there are feline hybrids amongst other species, there’s currently no genetically proven hybrid offspring between a cat and a bobcat- so it’s unlikely to be possible. While we aren’t going to see a dog and cat mate anytime soon, you’ve probably heard of hybrids like ligers, wolf-dogs, and even the world famous mule is a hybrid animal.īut what about cats and bobcats? Can these two species mate and if so how can you tell if your cat is mixed with a bobcat? What makes this such an amazing subject is that hybrids really are possible! People around the world love the idea of hybrid animals and even though I think the domestic housecat is amazing all on their own I can’t help be at least a little curious about domestic and wild cat hybrids.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |