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The Kellas Cat is a small black feline found in Scotland. Once thought to be a mythological wild cat, with its few sightings dismissed as hoaxes, it was found to be a hybrid between wild and domestic cats. It was named by Karl Shuker, after specimens found near Kellas, Grampian, Scotland.

Description[]

The Kellas Cat has bristly black fur flecked with white guard hairs. They typically have a white area of fur on the chest. They are 2-3 feet long, with a 12-inch tail, and weigh 5-15 pounds. They have long legs and walk with a graceful, loping gait. They have a small long head with rounded ears. Unlike Scottish Wild Cats, Kellas cats hunt in pairs. They feed on rabbits and birds.

Sightings[]

In January 1983, an adult pair of Kellas cats were spotted beside the River Lossie. The male of the pair was shot and killed by Tomas Christie. It was sent to a local taxidermist to be stuffed and now lives at Elgin Museum. This specimen is known as "Specimen K."

In June 1984, a male Kellas cat was caught by gamekeeper Ronald Douglas in a fox snare at Revack Lodge, near Grantown on Spey. The specimen was lost after being taken to a taxidermist.

In April and October of 1985, two more male Kellas cats were shot, near Avie and Kellas respectively. Blood samples were taken of the second cat and were sent to Aberdeen University laboratories for analysis. The samples proved useless upon arrival due to being either delayed or contaminated.

In 1986, a pair of Kellas cats, one male and one female, were shot at Darnaway Estates, Morayshire. In the spring of 1986, traps were set near Kellas by a BBC film crew for the television show Tomorrow's World (episode title 'On the Trail of the Big Cat'). They were successful in catching a live specimen. The female cat was sent to the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig. Blood samples were taken for chromosomal analysis.

On 28th February 1988, a male cat was caught alive in Redcastle in Northern Scotland. This cat was also sent to the Highland Wildlife Park.

In 2001, "Kellas type" cats were sighted on numerous occasions on several farms in the area of Fife.

In October 2002, a Kellas cat was killed in the lowland areas of Aberdeenshire. Made into taxidermy, this specimen is housed in the foyer of the Aberdeen University's Zoology Dept. building.

Explanation[]

It was initially speculated that the Kellas cat was a new species. Through analysis taken from captured cats, it is revealed that the Kellas cat is a hybrid between domestic cats and the Scottish Wildcat. While initial crossbreeds closely resemble Scottish wildcats with longer tails, continuous mating of hybrids with both feral and wildcats produces the traits common to Kellas cats.

Folklore of the Cat-sìth is thought to be inspired by early sightings of the Kellas cat. The Cat-sìth is a fairy described as being a large black cat with a white spot on its chest. This closely resembles the description of the Kellas cat.

Gallery[]

Sources[]

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