| Feline Euptilura |
In the late 18th century, Russians started to colonize into the Far East, moving more and more
eastward. Most of the colonists came from West and East Siberia, probably bringing their cats
with them. These cats in Siberia already had a few centuries behind them. They had already
adjusted to the harsh Siberian climate. In the Far East, these cats crossed with the Far Eastern
Forest Cat.
The Far Eastern Forest Cat, or Feline Euptilura, is found in the Amur river valley of the Russian
Far East. Amur River is a huge river in eastern Siberia. The Amur flows east along China's
northern border and then turns north into the Khabarovsk Region of Russia. It empties into the
northern Tatar Strait, a narrow band of water separating Sakhalin Island from the east coast of
Siberia. The valleys of the Amur and its branches cover about 715,000 square miles. The cities of
Khabarovsk and Komsomolsk stand on the banks of the Amur.
Click to see the map
The Far Eastern Forest Cat (see pictures below) is a beautiful spotted cat much bigger in size than
most domestic cats. The body length is 75-90 cm. The tail is 35-37 cm. Their coats are soft,
generally pale brown/tawny yellow, but this coloring is extremely variable, and may be bright
reddish or grey. Under-parts are white and they are usually marked with dark spots, bands, and
blotches. There are usually four longitudinal black bands running from the forehead to behind the
neck. The ears are rounded. Two whitish stripes run up from the internal corners of their eyes
and there are one or two white streaks across the cheeks. The tail is relatively short, thick and
fluffy, spotted at the base and ringed indistinctly toward the tip. The soles of the feet are dark
brown. Their legs are medium to long. Characteristically, the Far Eastern Forest Cat has a
medium head. The skull is short and rounded and the orbits of the eye sockets are open at the
back.
eastward. Most of the colonists came from West and East Siberia, probably bringing their cats
with them. These cats in Siberia already had a few centuries behind them. They had already
adjusted to the harsh Siberian climate. In the Far East, these cats crossed with the Far Eastern
Forest Cat.
The Far Eastern Forest Cat, or Feline Euptilura, is found in the Amur river valley of the Russian
Far East. Amur River is a huge river in eastern Siberia. The Amur flows east along China's
northern border and then turns north into the Khabarovsk Region of Russia. It empties into the
northern Tatar Strait, a narrow band of water separating Sakhalin Island from the east coast of
Siberia. The valleys of the Amur and its branches cover about 715,000 square miles. The cities of
Khabarovsk and Komsomolsk stand on the banks of the Amur.
Click to see the map
The Far Eastern Forest Cat (see pictures below) is a beautiful spotted cat much bigger in size than
most domestic cats. The body length is 75-90 cm. The tail is 35-37 cm. Their coats are soft,
generally pale brown/tawny yellow, but this coloring is extremely variable, and may be bright
reddish or grey. Under-parts are white and they are usually marked with dark spots, bands, and
blotches. There are usually four longitudinal black bands running from the forehead to behind the
neck. The ears are rounded. Two whitish stripes run up from the internal corners of their eyes
and there are one or two white streaks across the cheeks. The tail is relatively short, thick and
fluffy, spotted at the base and ringed indistinctly toward the tip. The soles of the feet are dark
brown. Their legs are medium to long. Characteristically, the Far Eastern Forest Cat has a
medium head. The skull is short and rounded and the orbits of the eye sockets are open at the
back.
Our Astera (Asthera) lines came from this crossing of the West Siberian cats and Feline
Euptilura, the Far Eastern Forest Cat. This crossing with Euptilura gave Siberian cats of Russian
Far East some features that distinguish them from Siberians of West Siberia, such as worm
brown colors, comparatively soft heir, medium length tail. This makes Asthera Siberian cats
unique from other geographical lines.
Compare the pictures below. Feline Euptilura on the left and Astera cats on the right:
Euptilura, the Far Eastern Forest Cat. This crossing with Euptilura gave Siberian cats of Russian
Far East some features that distinguish them from Siberians of West Siberia, such as worm
brown colors, comparatively soft heir, medium length tail. This makes Asthera Siberian cats
unique from other geographical lines.
Compare the pictures below. Feline Euptilura on the left and Astera cats on the right:
| History of Astera Siberian Cats Where do they come from? |
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Many believe that migraters from West Russia (Moscow, etc) brought longhair cats into Siberia.
These longhair cats then bred with the native steppe and forest cats of Siberia. These
combinations produced the Sibeian line that we know and love today.
The first Russian colonizers came to Siberia a few centuries ago. Tomsk, my hometown, was
founded 400 years ago. Therefore, Siberian cats were forming and developing for 400 years in
West Siberia.
In the ancient Russian country-side, cats lived pretty much on their own. They lived a
half-domestic, half-wild life. Their owners paid little attention to them or to their needs. To
survive, the cats had to develop certain characteristics. Some of these characteristics were such
things as a thick shiny coat, strong muscular body, massive paws and legs, the ability to learn fast,
and a strong, tough character. Nothing expresses this toughness better then the look of a Siberian
cat. Their eyes tell a story of survival in Siberia. These cats had to be the strongest and the fastest
to survive the frigid and harsh Siberian winters. All their ancestors were survivors, everyone of
them. Take a look at these pictures. This is the look!
These longhair cats then bred with the native steppe and forest cats of Siberia. These
combinations produced the Sibeian line that we know and love today.
The first Russian colonizers came to Siberia a few centuries ago. Tomsk, my hometown, was
founded 400 years ago. Therefore, Siberian cats were forming and developing for 400 years in
West Siberia.
In the ancient Russian country-side, cats lived pretty much on their own. They lived a
half-domestic, half-wild life. Their owners paid little attention to them or to their needs. To
survive, the cats had to develop certain characteristics. Some of these characteristics were such
things as a thick shiny coat, strong muscular body, massive paws and legs, the ability to learn fast,
and a strong, tough character. Nothing expresses this toughness better then the look of a Siberian
cat. Their eyes tell a story of survival in Siberia. These cats had to be the strongest and the fastest
to survive the frigid and harsh Siberian winters. All their ancestors were survivors, everyone of
them. Take a look at these pictures. This is the look!
| The True Siberian |
Siberia that every true native Siberian can be proud of as a part of their true Siberian heritage.
A true Siberian Cat is the one with the proud look of a Siberian Tiger and a loving, loyal
personality of a Siberian Husky. Our cats are pure Siberian cats and do not have any Persian
or Siamese blood. Our desire is to keep this breed "pure", just as they were pure in their
native forests.
As we mentioned earlier, Siberians are very loyal to their owners. It is not uncommon for
them to play ball or follow their masters around the house. It is very easy to train a Siberian to
walk through the park on a leash, enjoy car rides, or accompany their owners to a pet store.
Many owners who are allergic to cats do not experience allergies when living with Siberians.
In closing, it is a pleasure and honor to live with these most beautiful and loyal cats. A
beloved Siberian is a very special lifetime friend that will bring many moments of happiness.
A true Siberian Cat is the one with the proud look of a Siberian Tiger and a loving, loyal
personality of a Siberian Husky. Our cats are pure Siberian cats and do not have any Persian
or Siamese blood. Our desire is to keep this breed "pure", just as they were pure in their
native forests.
As we mentioned earlier, Siberians are very loyal to their owners. It is not uncommon for
them to play ball or follow their masters around the house. It is very easy to train a Siberian to
walk through the park on a leash, enjoy car rides, or accompany their owners to a pet store.
Many owners who are allergic to cats do not experience allergies when living with Siberians.
In closing, it is a pleasure and honor to live with these most beautiful and loyal cats. A
beloved Siberian is a very special lifetime friend that will bring many moments of happiness.
