We all know about the wild cats such as lions, tigers, cougars, leopards and even jaguars, but there's a whole world of small and big cats out there, especially a bunch of rare cat breeds that you've probably never heard of!
Cat species evolved into a distinct family (Felidae) roughly 25 million years ago. Since then, they've expanded all over the world and have evolved to match their environments. They still retain some things in common, however – just like your fluffball at home, very few of the wild cat breeds can taste sweetness. They are all obligate carnivores – they do not simply favor meat, they can't subsist on anything else. Besides lions, very few cats display any sort of strong social behavior, though some do hunt together or form loose colonies. It's no wonder our domesticated kitties are such arrogant, individualistic souls!
Scroll down for our pics of the most unusual rare cats below. From Asian to African cats, this list will surely broaden your perspective on felines!
(h/t: fnordsensei)
#21 Andean Cat (Leopardus Jacobita)
The Andean Mountain cat, a native to the high Andes, is traditionally considered a sacred animal by indigenous Aymara and Quechua people. Though little, this cat is very hardy and well-adapted to live in arid terrains of high-altitude Andes.
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