Felis catus
Mojave Spotted
Featured photomojave-spotted.jpgThe Mojave Spotted is an experimental American breed founded on feral cat populations of the Mojave Desert in California and Nevada. The breed combines spotted coat genetics with substantial bone and a wild appearance. The Rare and Exotic Feline Registry (REFR) accepts the Mojave Spotted for experimental registration. CFA, TICA, GCCF, and FIFe have not published Mojave Spotted standards. The standard describes a medium to large, muscular cat with a heavily spotted tabby coat and a wild bobcat-like appearance.
Quick facts
- Origin country
- United States
- Origin period
- 2010s desert-population spotted breed; REFR experimental
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- Brown Spotted Tabby, Silver Spotted Tabby, Black Spotted Tabby, Lynx-Pointed Spotted variants
- Size category
- Medium
- Average lifespan
- 12-15 years
- Recognition
- —
Origin
The Mojave Spotted was founded in the 2010s on feral cat populations from the Mojave Desert region of California and Nevada. The desert population had developed a spotted coat pattern with substantial bone and a wild appearance through natural selection adapted to the desert environment. American breeders formalized the population as a deliberate breed, naming it after the Mojave Desert. The breed is regarded as a fully domestic breed despite the wild bobcat-like appearance.
Recognition
The Rare and Exotic Feline Registry (REFR) accepts the Mojave Spotted for experimental registration. CFA, TICA, GCCF, and FIFe have not published Mojave Spotted standards. The breed remains very rare with limited worldwide distribution and is shown primarily through REFR-affiliated experimental classes in North America.
Standard
The REFR draft standard describes a medium to large, well-muscled, athletic cat with substantial bone and a long body. The head is medium-sized with a slightly rounded contour and well-defined muzzle. The coat is short, dense, and sleek with a heavily spotted tabby pattern derived from the Mojave Desert feral population. Recognized colours include brown spotted, silver spotted, black spotted, and lynx-pointed spotted variants. Some Mojave Spotted cats are polydactyl, which is permitted under the REFR standard.
Sources & further reading (3)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
- tica-standard — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mojave Spotted a wild-cat hybrid?
No. The Mojave Spotted is a fully domestic breed despite its wild bobcat-like appearance. The breed was founded on feral domestic cat populations of the Mojave Desert that had developed a spotted coat and substantial bone through natural selection adapted to the desert environment. No wild-cat hybridization is involved.
When was the Mojave Spotted recognized?
The Rare and Exotic Feline Registry (REFR) accepts the Mojave Spotted for experimental registration. CFA, TICA, GCCF, and FIFe have not published Mojave Spotted standards. The breed remains experimental.
How does the Mojave Spotted differ from the Bengal?
The Bengal carries Asian Leopard Cat ancestry through hybridization (F4 or beyond, fully domestic). The Mojave Spotted is founded on Mojave Desert feral domestic cat populations without any wild-cat hybridization. The Mojave Spotted typically has heavier bone and a more rugged working-cat conformation than the Bengal's sleeker silhouette.
