Rare Egyptian Mau Cat's Spotted Pattern Makes It Look Like 'A Pokémon'

The spotted Egyptian mau is relatively rare in the cat world, having descended from ancient Egypt over 2,000 years ago. So, to be able to learn more and watch one get groomed on Instagram is a unique treat. Please meet the remarkably eye-catching Antar, an Egyptian mau who commenters think looks like a Pokémon character.

The video of the large, stunningly spotted cat shows him getting groomed, which he doesn't always seem too thrilled with, as the groomer discusses interesting facts about the breed and points out that this kind of cat was most likely the one depicted in ancient Egyptian art. While Antar is quite the looker, he's definitely not loving all the grooming attention in the video, hissing, refusing to be bathed, and even having to have a head wrap placed around his face to keep him calm. 

Still, most viewers were able to forgive all that and ran to the comments to call him "gorgeous" and "beautiful," with one person saying, "Look at that big chunky man 😍." Meanwhile, several viewers clearly had Pokémon in mind, with a commenter joking, "Ok...time to don my cap and rev up my pokeball! Pikachuuu lesss goooo." While Antar may not be a real-life Pokémon, he certainly seems to have captured everyone's attention.

Egyptian maus are one of the most distinctive — albeit rare — cat breeds around, and their naturally spotted coats are a big reason why. In fact, they're the only domestic cats known for naturally occurring spots, which are present in both their fur and skin pigment.

Looks aren't the only thing that makes Egyptian maus stand out. They also boast powerful back legs that help make them the fastest domestic cat breed in the world, with speeds reaching up to 30 mph. Additionally, they are pretty chatty cats, communicating with cat chirps, trills, and other uniquely adorable sounds. They are loyal and bond well with their human companions, but generally do best in calm, predictable homes where they can feel comfortable and secure.

On top of all this, maus have a fascinating connection to ancient Egypt and closely resemble the spotted cats seen in artwork at the time, especially alongside pharaohs. However, the exact link between those depicted cats and today's breed of mau isn't certain. What is known, though, is that the modern Egyptian mau was developed in the 20th century and gained recognition in the United States in the 1950s. No matter their lineage, this breed truly always looks like royalty!