Snow leopard (irbis)

Panthera 

<h2>Appearance</h2>The snow leopard has white-gray or gray-brown fur with dark gray or black spots and rosettes with pale centers, making it great for camouflaging in mountain environments. In winter the fur becomes thick and long providing protection even in extremely cold conditions. Its head, neck and limbs are black spotted, with two dark lines extending from its neck to its tail. The snow leopard has light green or gray eyes. It has short rounded ears that are widely spaced, and the back of the ears are black with a light center. The snow leopard is adapted to living at high altitudes. It has an enlarged nasal cavity, short forelegs and well-developed chest muscles. It has long hind legs and large front paws that allow it to move more easily through the snow. Its fluffy tail is exceptionally long, reaching 1 m in length and making up 75-90% of its total body length. It is believed to help maintain balance on steep slopes.<h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>Its occurrence is restricted to the high mountains of Central Asia, including the Altai, Tian Shan, Kun Lun, Pamir, Hindu Kush, Karakorum and Himalayas within 12 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.The snow leopard mainly occupies alpine and subalpine zones where it is often found in steep terrain crisscrossed by cliffs, ridges, gorges, and rocky outcrops.<h2>Behavior</h2>The snow leopard is a solitary predator and is active mainly at dusk and dawn. It is well adapted to climbing steep and rocky alpine terrain.Snow leopards communicate primarily through scent marking and scraping. The snow leopard's vocal folds are less developed than those of other panthers and lack a thick layer of fibrous-elastic tissue, so it cannot make low and intense "roars" like other big cats.<h2>Food</h2>The snow leopard feeds primarily on wild sheep and goats, such as mountain nahur (Pseudois nayaur), Siberian goatsucker (Capra sibirica), screwhorn markur (Capra falconeri), wild sheep (Ovis ammon), mountain muskox (Moschus chrysogaster), and Himalayan tar (Hemitragus jemlahicus), and its range closely mirrors that of wild ungulates.<h2>Main threats</h2>The main threats are competition with livestock, habitat degradation, disappearance of prey, killing in retaliation and poaching for illegal trade (skins, bones and other body parts).

Threat category

vulnerable to extinction

Body weight 

Body lenght

Tail lenght

Life span

Litter size

Snow leopard

Cheetah

Acinonyx 

<h2>Appearance</h2>The cheetah has a fawn-coloured coat covered almost entirely in black, circular spots. Each cheetah has a unique pattern of spots, often used for identification. Cheetahs are easily identified by the heavy black lines extending from the inner corner of each eye to the outside corner of the mouth, often referred to as "tear lines".&nbsp;<h2>Interesting facts</h2>The royal cheetah has much larger patches, often merging into stripes. This rare variation in colour pattern is the result of a unifocal recessive genetic mutation. Because it is a genetic mutation, the royal cheetah is not considered a subspecies. Individuals with this specific colour pattern are found in a small area of southern Africa.The cheetah is known for being the fastest land mammal. These cats have numerous morphological adaptations for speed - long limbs, strong thigh muscles and a very flexible spine, partially retractable claws that give extra grip when running and turning at high speed, and a long tail that helps the cheetah maintain balance while running.The cheetah has enlarged lungs, heart and nasal passages and smaller canines compared to other felines - the reduction in the size of the upper canine root allows for a larger nasal opening for increased air intake.<h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>The cheetah is currently found mainly in the drier parts of sub-Saharan Africa and is still fairly widely distributed in southern and eastern Africa, with two main areas in Namibia/Botswana and Kenya/Tanzania. However, their range is increasingly fragmented and severely restricted.The cheetah inhabits open grasslands and savannas. It is also found in dry forest, semi-desert, open woodland and shrubland, and is absent from tropical forests. In the central Sahara, the cheetah is found in high mountain habitats, where rainfall is slightly higher than in the surrounding desert.<h2>Behaviour</h2>The cheetah is mainly active during the day. Recent observations have shown that cheetahs are surprisingly active at night. Activity is positively correlated with the amount of moonlight available.The social organisation of cheetahs is unique among feline animals. After cheetahs leave their mothers, the male and female usually remain together for about six months before they separate and go their separate ways. After separation, females remain solitary, while males will either be alone or form a group with other males. Such coalitions usually consist of 2-3 males, usually related individuals, but may also be unrelated individuals.<h2>&nbsp;Food</h2>The cheetah prefers victims with a body weight in the range 10-56 kg. These include impala, Thomson's gazelles, springbok, warthogs and other antelopes, but it will also hunt smaller animals such as hares or birds. Coalitions of males often attack larger prey such as wildebeest or zebra antelope.&nbsp;<h2>Main threats</h2>The main threats to the cheetah are habitat loss and fragmentation, land use change, retaliatory killing and depletion of the food base, which often leads to increased predation on livestock and thus increased conflicts with humans.

Endangered category

body weight 

35-65 kg

body length

113-140 cm

tail lenght

60-84 cm

life span

up to 14 years, 20 years in captivity

litter size

4-6 kittens

caracal

Medium

Caracal 

<h2>Appearance</h2>The Caracal is a medium-sized cat with a slender, tall body and long legs. It is the biggest of the African small cats. The caracal's fur is short, fawn-brown to brick-red, without any pattern, and its underside is whitish. Dark lines and white spots are visible around the nose and eyes. It has triangular ears ending in tufts of hair 4-5 cm long. Its tail is short and measures about a third of its body length. It has stiff hairs between its pads as an adaptation for moving on sand. Like other desert species, the caracal has excellent eyesight and hearing.<h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>The caracal has a wide range that extends from Africa to central and southwest Asia. It is found from Africa to Turkey through the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East to Turkmenistan and northwestern India. On the African continent, it is not found except in the tropical forests of western and central Africa and the deserts of Namibia and the central Sahara.It lives in a variety of habitats and tolerates very dry conditions. It is found in semi-deserts, steppes, savannas, dry and moist forests or evergreen forests. It prefers open and drier areas and scrubland. Caracals are not found in real deserts.<h2>Behaviour</h2>The caracal is a solitary animal and has a mainly nocturnal lifestyle, but can also be active during the day, depending on the habitat and daytime temperature. In winter it increases its daytime activity.<h2>Food</h2>The caracal is a generalist predator. It preys mainly on a variety of small and medium-sized mammals and birds. Its victim is usually animals weighing less than 5 kg, such as young antelopes, hares, rodents, birds, mice and sometimes invertebrates, fish and reptiles.<h2>Main threats</h2>One of the main threats to the caracal is habitat destruction. Hunting, trapping and poisoning are other major threats.&nbsp;

Threat category 

6-18 kg

20-34 cm

16-19 years

1-6 kittens

Caracal

black-footed cat

Small

Felis

<h2>Appearance</h2>The black-footed cat is one of the smallest cat species in the world and the smallest in Africa. The Black-footed Cat gets its name from its black pads and the underside of its paws. Its fur is fawn coloured and marked with black and brown spots, merging into broad stripes on its neck, legs and tail. The tail is relatively short with a black tip. The head of the Black-footed Cat is similar to that of the domestic cat, with large ears and eyes.<h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>The black-footed cat is endemic to southern Africa and is found mainly in South Africa and Namibia, it also occurs in Botswana, and marginally in Zimbabwe. It is therefore a restricted species, with the most restricted range of any cat species in Africa.The black-footed cat chooses grassland and semi-desert habitats, including arid open savannas.<h2>Behaviour</h2>The black-footed cat is an animal that lives mainly on the ground. It is a solitary predator, active at night. It travels an average of 8.4 km in search of food.<h2>Food</h2>The black-footed cat's diet includes many types of prey. It feeds mainly on rodents such as mice and gerbils, small birds and invertebrates.<h2>Main threats</h2>The main threats to the black-footed cat are habitat degradation and non-selective pest control methods such as the use of poisons.

1-2.5 kg

37-52 cm

14-20 cm

do 16 lat w niewoli

1-4 kocięta

Black-footed cat

nubian cat

<h2>Appearance</h2>The Nubian cat is the size of a large domestic cat. It has longer legs than the domestic cat, which gives it a more upright sitting posture. Its fur is short, ranging in shades from reddish to sandy or beige to greyish, usually marked with faint stripes and spots on the body and sides. Nubian cats have short snouts coloured orange around the nose and white patches below the eyes. The tail is long with three black rings and a dark tip. Its paw pads are black, as in the black-footed cat. The Nubian cat can be distinguished from the European wildcat by its lighter build, less distinct patterns and thin, tapering tail.<h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>It is found in vast areas of Africa and on the edges of the Arabian Peninsula up to the Caspian Sea. It is found in all countries of eastern and southern Africa. In North Africa it occurs discontinuously from Morocco through Algeria, Tunisia and Libya to Egypt. In West Africa, it is widely distributed from Mauritania to the Horn of Africa, Sudan and Ethiopia.The Nubian cat has a very wide habitat tolerance and is found in deserts, semi-deserts, savannas, hilly, rocky, bushy and low-density forest, as well as in mixed forests.<h2>Behaviour</h2>The Nubian cat is a solitary species, but can form temporary, large groups consisting of a female and her offspring from several successive litters. It is mainly active at night, especially in areas with hot climates or near human habitation.<h2>Food</h2>The main prey of the Nubian cat are rodents such as rats, mice and voles. It also hunts hares, rabbits, birds, insects, frogs, lizards, fish and occasionally martens, weasels, polecats and poultry. Occasionally attacks young antelopes or livestock.<h2>Main threats</h2>Hybridisation with domestic cats is considered the main threat to the Nubian cat.

Nubian cat

african lion

Two subspecies of lion are recognised:Panthera leo leo - in central and western Africa and IndiaPanthera leo melanochaita - in southern and eastern Africa.&nbsp;<h2>Appearance</h2>Lion is a very muscular and strong cat. The shoulders and front paws are particularly massive and powerful, allowing lions to hunt and overpower large prey. The lion has a even fawn coloration that blends in with the grassy cover of the savanna. Male lions have fringed tails and manes that vary from fairly sparse fur in hot and humid areas to very impressive manes in milder climates. The mane serves to attract females and is an indicator of the condition of the male lion. Young lions have pink noses that gradually become spotted with black spots as they mature. African lions have shorter fur and a less pronounced tail fringe than Asian lions.<h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>African lions live in scattered populations throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The lion prefers grassy plains and savannas, scrubby riversides and open forests with shrubs.<h2>Behaviour</h2>Lions are mainly active at night and dusk. They spend much of the day and night resting and are usually active for four to six hours a day. The lion is the most sociable of all cat species - it lives in complex social systems called herds and exhibits group territorial behaviour. Females cooperate with each other, a behaviour that is unique among cats. Herd leadership is usually exercised by a single male.<h2>Food</h2>The lion is a predator that will settle for just about anything, but has a clear preference for medium to large ungulates (100-300 kg) such as wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, giraffe, kudu and kobs. They also catch smaller antelopes such as gazelles and impalas quite frequently. In the case of very large prey such as rhinos, hippos or elephants they only hunt lost or weakened young or very weakened adults.<h2>Main threats</h2>The main threats to lions are retaliatory killing (using spears, firearms and poisons), a shrinking food base, poaching focused on meat extraction, and excessive or poorly managed trophy hunting.

vulnerable

African lion

pallas's cat

Otocolobus

<h2>Appearance</h2>Pallas's Cat is a very distinctive cat with short legs, a compact body and a long coat that makes him look bigger than he is. The hair on the underside of the body is almost twice as long as on the top and sides, which keeps the cat warm in the extreme winter conditions typical of its habitat. The manula's coat color can vary from gray in the north of its range to yellow-brown or fox-red in some areas of the southern range. Color can also vary with the season. The tips of the hair are white and create a silvery, frosted appearance. The chin, neck and belly are white. The limbs are marked with a subtle horizontal stripe. The tail is thick and short with a black tip and several narrow black rings. The fur color provides excellent camouflage and helps the manula blend in with its surroundings. The manula's head is broad and flattened, and the ears are small, rounded, and well set. A pattern of small black spots is drawn on the forehead and dark and white stripes on the cheeks. The flat profile of the head is an adaptation for hunting in open country. Its eyes are surrounded by white and black lines and have a third eyelid that serves as protection from cold winds and dust storms that are common in its range.<h2>Occurrence and habitat</h2>The Pallas’s cat is found from Iran throughout Central Asia. It mainly inhabits the steppes of Mongolia, China and the Tibetan plateau. At the southwestern end of its range, it occurs in the Zagros and Alborz mountains of Iran. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, it is found in the Hindu-Kish-Hindu Raj mountains.The Pallas' cat inhabits mountain grasslands, shrub and grassy steppes, hilly terrain, rocky alpine deserts and semi-deserts. It is primarily associated with gentle steppes and southern slopes where deep snow cover does not accumulate.<h2>Behavior</h2>The manul is a solitary animal, active mainly at dusk, but can forage at any time of day or night. It uses caves, rock crevices or abandoned burrows of other animals such as marmots, foxes and badgers as shelter.<h2>Food</h2>Small to medium-sized, non-wintering colony-forming mammals make up most of the Pallas cat's food. It feeds primarily on barks (Ochotona spp.) and small rodents such as gerbils (Meriones spp.), voles, hamsters, and jumpers (Dipus sagitta, Allactaga spp.).<h2>Main threats</h2>Habitat fragmentation and degradation is currently considered the greatest threat to this species.

near threatened

46-65 cm

21-31 cm

Pallas's cat

serval

Leptailurus

<h2>Appearance</h2>Serval's coat is light yellow, yellow-brown or fawn with black spots. On the neck and shoulders the spots often merge into stripes. The underside of the body is whitish-yellow and spotless. With its slender and long legs and elongated neck, the serval is well adapted to hunting small prey in long grass. Its hind legs are longer than its front legs. It has agile paws and strong curved claws that are used to grasp mice and rats. The serval's head is small and delicate. Its ears are very large, set high and close together. The back of the ear is black with a distinct horizontal white stripe. The tail of the serval is relatively short.<h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>The serval is found in 34 African countries. It inhabits sub-Saharan Africa except in tropical forests and deserts.It inhabits a variety of grasslands such as reedbeds, swamps, grass savannas or wetlands, and forests. It prefers rather moist habitats and is often found along rivers.<h2>Behaviour</h2>The serval is a territorial loner. It is active mainly at dusk and at night, resting during the day. During the wet season, the serval also hunts during the day. Increased daytime activity is also observed in females with young.<h2>Food</h2>The main prey of the serval is small mammals, especially rodents and rats. It also preys on mice, birds, lizards and snakes, frogs, fish and insects.<h2>Main threats</h2>The main threat to the serval is the loss and degradation of wetland habitats caused mainly by increasing urbanisation and changes in land use. Such wetlands have high rodent densities compared to others and are the main habitat areas for the serval.

Tail 

Serval

Iberian lynx

Lynx 

<h2>Appearance</h2>The Iberian lynx is half the size of the Eurasian lynx. Both in terms of ecology and average body weight, the Iberian lynx is very similar to the Canadian lynx. It has a small head, short body and long legs. Its tail is short with a black tip, and it has characteristic black brushes on its ears. The coat of the Iberian lynx is yellowish, reddish, grey or brownish and distinctly brown or black mottled. Its belly is only pale. The Iberian lynx has a conspicuous orifice, which is more pronounced in adults.<h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>Historically, the Iberian lynx was found in all parts of the Iberian Peninsula and was widely distributed, but became very rare in the early 20th century. Only two small populations remain - one in southwestern Spain, in Andújar-Cardeña in the eastern Sierra Morena, and a population in Doñana-Aljarafe, in and around the Doñana protected area.The Iberian lynx lives in Mediterranean forests composed of native oaks and abundant undergrowth, as well as in macchia scrub. It prefers a mosaic of dense thickets for shelter and open grassy areas for hunting.<h2>Behaviour</h2>The Iberian lynx is mainly active at night and dusk, but can also be active during the day. The mating season is from January to July, with a peak in January-February.<h2> Food</h2>The Iberian lynx is a specialised predator and hunts primarily (80-100%) European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Alternatively it hunts rodents, partridges, young deer and fallow deer, hares, ducks, geese, reptiles, etc. They also feed on fresh carrion.<h2>Main threats</h2>The Iberian lynx is highly vulnerable by nature as it is highly dependent on a single prey species, has a limited distribution and its habitat spectrum is narrow. Iberian lynx populations have declined due to a drastic reduction in its main prey, the rabbit, due to habitat changes, over-hunting and disease.

Body Weight 

Body length 

Tail length 

Eurasian lynx

<h2>Appearance</h2>Eurasian lynx is the tallest of the lynx family. Individuals from the northern and eastern part of its range are generally larger than those from the south and west. The Eurasian Lynx has long legs and in winter its paws are more densely covered with fur, which acts as snowshoes and enables it to move more efficiently in deep snow. Its tail is short with a black tip. Its ears have a black back with a white spot with long black bristles. The fur of the Eurasian lynx can range in colour from grey to reddish or yellowish. The fur patterns vary from unique rosettes, to distinct spots that can be small or large. The belly, chest and underside of the Eurasian lynx are pale. The Central Asian subspecies L. l. isabellinus has a coat almost completely devoid of patterns.<h2> Distribution and habitat</h2>The Eurasian lynx has one of the largest ranges of all cat species. It is found from the Atlantic in western Europe through the boreal forests of Russia to Central Asia and the Tibetan plateau to the Pacific coast in the east. About 75% of its range is within the borders of Russia.The Eurasian lynx is found in a variety of environmental and climatic conditions. In general, the Eurasian lynx is mainly associated with forested areas that support good ungulate populations and provide sufficient cover for hunting.<h2>Behaviour</h2>The Eurasian lynx is a solitary and territorial animal. It is active mainly at dawn and dusk. It is an efficient hunter. It can kill prey up to 3-4 times its own size.<h2>Food</h2>The Eurasian lynx feeds mainly on small and medium-sized ungulates such as roe deer, chamois, reindeer and musk deer. All lynx species hunt smaller prey such as lagomorphs. Occasionally, Eurasian lynx also attack larger ungulates such as deer, but in most cases these are juveniles.<h2>Main threats</h2>In Europe, the main threats to lynx are poaching, retaliatory killing, habitat loss and fragmentation, mainly due to infrastructure development, poor land management and accidental deaths in traffic accidents.In Asia, the main threats include habitat loss and fragmentation, mainly due to livestock farming, infrastructure development, resource extraction and logging, and poaching, mainly through retaliatory killing due to livestock killing or the fur trade.

European wildcat

<h2>Appearance</h2>The European wildcat is the size of a large domestic cat. It has a wide head and widely spaced ears. Wildcat's coat is thick and long in winter, grey-brown with a distinct pattern consisting of black stripes on the head, neck, limbs and a clear line along the back. Wildcats have a downy tail with several black rings and a black tip. Some individuals have a white patch on the throat. In winter fur, the wildcat's legs appear short and its build is compact; it actually has longer legs than most domestic cats.<h2>Occurrence and habitat</h2>The European wildcat inhabits parts of Europe and Russia as far south as Central Asia.It is mainly associated with forest habitats and is most commonly found in deciduous or mixed forests. It also inhabits grassland and steppe habitats and can be found in Mediterranean macchia bushland, floodplain forests, marsh borders, along sea coasts or in very wet marshy areas.<h2>Behaviour</h2>European wildcats are considered solitary predators, active mainly nocturnally and territorially. In areas with low human activity, wildcats are often active during the day, with activity increasing at dawn and dusk.<h2>Food</h2>European wildcats' main food is rodents such as rats, mice and voles. They have no particular species preference. In areas where rabbits occur, they may be the main prey of European wildcat.<h2>Main threats</h2>One of the main threats to European wildcats is hybridisation with domestic cats, which can lead to loss of genetic variation or loss of specific adaptations.

10 years in the wild, 12-16 years in captivity

Tibetan cat/Chinese mountain cat

<h2>Appearance</h2>Tibetan cat has a stocky body and relatively short legs. In the Tibetan Highlands, locals call it "grass cat" because its coat corresponds to the color of dry grass. The Tibetan cat's coat is gray in winter and dark brown in summer. Its sides, limbs and cheeks are marked with light brown horizontal stripes. The lower lip, chin and belly are white, and the neck is pale brown. The ears are topped with brown brushes, and the back is pale yellow-brown. The Chinese mountain cat's tail is downy and brindle with a black tip.<h2>Occurrence and habitat</h2>It is endemic to China and has a limited range, occurring only on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet plateau.It lives at high altitudes and in areas with harsh, extreme conditions. The high mountain climate is dry, windy and very hot or very cold. The Chinese cat inhabits steppes, alpine grasslands and bushland.<h2>Behavior</h2>There is little information on the ecology, spatial distribution, habitat requirements and behavior of the Tibetan cat. It appears to be a solitary animal active at night or dusk. During the day it rests in caves dug by marmots or badgers, where it gives birth and raises its young.<h2>Food</h2>Rodents are the Tibetan cat's main prey. They mainly catch chars, voles, and barks. They also hunt birds such as pheasants and partridges.<h2>Main threats</h2>Chemicals used to control rodents can cause secondary poisoning in predators such as the Tibetan cat. Another threat is hunting for fur, which is mainly used locally for traditional hats and clothing.Recent studies have raised concerns about the potential genetic introgression of domestic cats.

Life span 

Litter size 

Asiatic lion

<h2>Appearance</h2>The lion has a muscular body with very strong front paws. Its coloration varies from fawn and gray to yellowish red and dark brown. Its nose color becomes darker with age in both sexes, and its mane becomes more pronounced and darker over time. The Asiatic lion has a smaller and shorter mane than the African lion, so their ears are always visible. Male Asian lions have a more pronounced tuft of hair on their elbows than their relatives in Africa. The most striking feature, however, is the distinctive belly skin (belly fold) of the Asiatic lion, which is rarely seen in lions living in Africa.<h2>Occurrence</h2> Until the turn of the 20th century, the Asiatic lion was found only in the Gir forest in Gujarat, India. Today, lions are also found outside the Gir protected area, such as in the forests of Girnar, Mitiyala, the coastal areas of Sutrapada-Kodinar, Jafarabad-Rajula up to the Savarkundla and Palitatna hills.The Asiatic lion is found mainly in forest habitats, while the African lion inhabits mainly savannah ecosystems. Asiatic lions prefer moist mixed forests.<h2>Behavior</h2>Asiatic lions are mainly active at night and dusk. They spend most of the day resting. Like African lions, they live in a complex social system, but herd structure varies and even changes locally depending on resource availability. The herd size of Asiatic lions (measured by the number of adult females) tends to be smaller than in African lion populations.<h2>Food</h2>The Asiatic lion primarily hunts ungulates such as small deer and antelope.<h2>Main threats</h2>Historically, Asiatic lions have been reduced to a single population due to hunting and habitat loss and fragmentation. Although these threats have been overcome through rigorous conservation, today the main threats are largely related to human-cat conflicts caused by their close proximity.

red lynx

There are two subspecies:Lynx rufus rufusLynx rufus fasciatus<h2>Appearance</h2>The red lynx is a medium-sized cat. His name comes from his short tail, which measures on average only 14 cm. On the dorsal side of the tail there are black stripes and the underside is white, not black as in other lynx species. The red lynx looks very similar to the Canadian lynx, but has shorter ear tassels, shorter legs, smaller paws without heavily hairy undersides and a more stocky appearance. Its head is small and broad, surrounded by a collar of fur. The cat's fur is dense and soft, and its colour and patterns vary greatly between regions. The colour of the fur may be brown, yellow-brown, reddish or light grey; the pattern on the fur may be absent or expressed as brown or black spots or stripes. The belly and underside of the legs are light with dark spots.<h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>The range extends from southern Canada through the United States to northern and central Mexico south to the state of Oaxaca.It inhabits boreal coniferous and mixed forests, deciduous forests, coastal swamps, deserts and scrub. The most important habitat requirements of the red lynx are sufficient food and vegetation in which it can hide while hunting and resting.<h2>Behaviour</h2>The red lynx is a solitary species, feeding at dusk, but depending on its habitat they can be active during the day or at night. During hunting they use dense vegetation to ambush their victims. Lynx live on the ground, but are good climbers and escape to trees when they feel threatened.<h2>Food</h2>The diet of the red lynx is very varied. In most areas its main victims are rabbits and hares, but it also hunts small rodents, rats, squirrels, beavers, birds, opossums, peccaries and sometimes small ungulates such as deer.<h2>Main threats</h2>Habitat loss due to human activity is considered the main threat to the red lynx throughout its range.

threat category

body weight

6-20 kg

body lenght

50-120 cm

9-25 cm

10-17 years

1-8 kittens

Red lynx

Asian tiger 

<h2>Appearance</h2>The tiger is the largest living species of cat and the only striped cat. It has a red-orange or yellow-brown coat with black stripes and a white belly. The pattern is unique to each individual. Males have a distinct orifice, especially in the Sumatran tiger.The tiger's body is made for killing large ungulates. It has a relatively large skull, powerful body and tusks.<h2>Occurrence and habitat</h2>Tigers live in scattered populations in 13 countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Sumatra Island in the Republic of Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Russian Far East, Thailand, and Vietnam.The tiger is found in a wide range of habitats, from the tropical evergreen and deciduous forests of South Asia to the conifer, oak and birch forests of the Russian Far East.<h2>Behavior</h2>The tiger is a solitary animal. Females have individual territories. Males are highly dispersed, and their territories often overlap. Tigers hunt on the ground. They often drag killed prey to their den to feed. They hide leftover prey that has not yet been eaten and return for it when they get hungry.<h2>Food</h2>The tiger's main prey is large ungulates such as aksis, gaur, sambar, boar, and munjak. The tiger also hunts deer and peacocks.<h2>Major threats</h2>One of the biggest threats to the tiger is illegal hunting. They are killed for their skin, bones, meat and other body parts, especially traditional East Asian medicines.

 Threat category

Body length

Tail length

Mainland clouded leopard

Neofelis

<h2>Appearance</h2>Misty Panther is a medium sized cat. It has relatively short, strong legs ending in wide paws. Its hind legs are much longer than its front legs, and its tail is exceptionally long (usually equal to its body length) and allows it to balance deftly on thin tree branches. The mistletoe panther has a fairly long skull, and along with its sister species, the sunday panther, have proportionally the longest canines of any cat. The fur patterns are cloud-like rosettes with dark edges and lighter centers, which were the inspiration for the species' name. The fur color can range from yellowish brown to silver gray to earthy brown or dark gray. Two dark stripes run along the spine, and the tail has 6 rings. The underside of the body is white or light brown, there are black spots on the limbs and underbelly, and two distinct dark stripes will be observed on the back of the neck.<h2>Occurrence</h2>Found from the eastern and southern foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal, through Bhutan and India, to Myanmar, southern China, peninsular Malaysia and Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia).It inhabits the deepest areas of evergreen forests and is closely associated with primary tropical forests.<h2>Behavior</h2>The clouded leopard is a solitary predator recorded at all times of the day and night, but usually with slightly more activity at night or dusk. It moves easily among trees and is an excellent climber.<h2>Food</h2>Feeds on woody and terrestrial vertebrates such as small deer, monkeys, squirrels, porcupines, scales, wild boar and birds. Occasionally they hunt domestic fowl and goats. They have no interest in carrion.<h2>Main threats</h2>The greatest threat to the clouded leopard is habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation and conversion of land to agricultural land.

1-2 kittens

The Asian golden cat

Catopuma

<h2>Appearance</h2>The Asian golden cat is a medium sized cat with relatively long legs. It looks like an African golden cat (Caracal aurata). The most common fur color is golden or reddish brown, but it can be dark brown as well as gray.The most distinctive features of this cat are the white lines with a dark brown or black outline that run down the cheeks and from the inner corners of the eyes to the top of the head. The ears are rounded with a black back and a gray spot. The chest, belly, and inside of the thighs are white with small spots. The legs and tail are gray or black at the distal ends. The terminal half of the tail is white on the underside and often carried with the tip curled upward.<h2>Occurrence and habitat</h2>The range of the golden mormie is similar to that of the fog panther (Neofelis nebulosa), sunda panther (Neofelis diardi), and marbled leopard. It is found from the foothills of the Himalayas to China and Southeast Asia. It also inhabits Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.It is found in a variety of forest habitats such as tropical and subtropical, moist evergreen mixed forests and dry deciduous forests.<h2>Behavior</h2>Little is known about the behavior of the golden mormie due to the poor understanding of the species. It was thought to be a primarily nocturnal active cat, but recent data indicates that it may also be active at dusk, as well as during the day.<h2>Food</h2>The golden mormi is primarily a terrestrial hunter. It hunts a variety of species and appears to be a generalist and opportunistic predator. It is known to prey on amphibians, small reptiles (lizards, snakes), insects, birds, primates, poultry, and small ungulates such as munjac and duckbill.<h2>Main threats</h2>Information on the golden mormie population and its status is lacking. The main threats appear to be habitat loss and changes due to deforestation in the range. Southeast Asian forests have the world's fastest regional rate of deforestation due to expansion of oil palm, coffee, acacia and rubber plantations.

Near threat

9-16 kg

1-3 kittens

leopard

<h2>Appearance</h2>Leopards vary greatly in size and colouration throughout their wide geographical range.Leopards in Africa are usually the largest and can weigh up to 90 kg. Typically, leopard fur is yellowish to olive and black-spotted with unique patterns. Melanistic individuals are rare in Africa, but in humid forest habitats, as in Java and Malaysia, melanism is more common. The colour and patterns of leopard fur appear to be related to habitat type. Leopards inhabiting the savannah are fawn to ochre in colour, leopards in deserts are lighter to yellowish brown, and in colder regions are more greyish. Rainforest individuals are darker and golden in colour, while leopards living in high mountains are even darker than those in the rainforest.The leopard has very muscular and relatively short legs with wide paws. It has a long body and a tail that helps in climbing trees. Despite its relatively small body size, the leopard is able to capture large prey. Its skull is massive, giving it plenty of room to attach its powerful jaw muscles. It has particularly long whiskers, and its eyebrows often contain several very long hairs to protect its eyes and help it move among vegetation in the dark.<h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>The leopard's geographical range is quite wide. It inhabits Africa and Asia. Its range extends from sub-Saharan Africa with remnant populations in North Africa, through the Arabian Peninsula and the Sinai/Judean Desert, south-western and eastern Turkey, through south-western Asia and the Caucasus to the Himalayas, India, China and the Russian Far East. It is also found on the island of Java and in Sri Lanka.It is found from tropical rain-forests to temperate deciduous and alpine areas, up to high mountain slopes, and in savannas, bushland, dry scrub, grasslands and deserts.<h2>Behaviour</h2>The leopard is a solitary and territorial predator. It is mainly active between sunset and sunrise, but populations in undisturbed rainforest areas show considerable activity during the day.<h2>Main threats</h2>Habitat loss and fragmentation, declining food base, illegal wildlife trade, retaliatory killing and poorly managed trophy hunting are the main problems leading to leopard decline.

17-90 kg

91-191 cm

13-21 years

Leopard

Canadian lynx

<h2>Appearance</h2>The Canadian Lynx is a medium-sized, long-legged cat. The hind legs of the Canada Lynx are much longer than the forelegs, and the front paws are larger than the hind paws. The paws have very dense fur growing between the pads, and because they are large and wide they act as snowshoes, allowing the Canada lynx to move through deep snow more easily than other coexisting carnivores. Its fur is reddish brown to grey-brown with distinct darker spots. The snout of the Canada lynx is surrounded by a collar of fur, and the ears with a black back are tipped with tassels.<h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>The range of the Canada lynx includes most of Canada, where it still occupies 95% of its historic range, and parts of the northern United States, along the Rocky Mountains to Colorado. Its range overlaps with that of its main prey, the American hare Lepus americanus.The Canada lynx inhabits boreal forests covering most of Canada and Alaska.<h2>Behaviour</h2>The Canada lynx is a solitary predator. As hare numbers decline, fewer lynx breed, producing smaller litters with few offspring. As hare numbers increase, lynx reproduction rates increase. Most births occur in late May and early June.<h2>Interesting fact</h2>No other cat species is as strongly associated with their main prey as the Canada lynx is with the grey hare.<h2>Hunting</h2>The Canada lynx is heavily dependent on American hares, which make up 60-97% of its diet. When snowshoe hare densities are low, the Canada lynx also preys on squirrels, grouse, mice and voles, small birds, and occasionally ungulates such as deer, sheep or caribou calves; squirrels are its main alternative prey.<h2>Main threats</h2>The Canada lynx is one of the best studied and monitored cat species. The main threats to the Canada lynx are habitat loss and fragmentation and environmental change due to agriculture, urbanisation and other industrial activities.

Weight

8-12 kg

73-106 cm

10-15 cm

puma

Puma

There are two subspecies of puma:Puma concolor concolor in South AmericaPuma concolor puma in North and Central America<h2>Appearance</h2>The puma has a rounded head, small rounded ears with a black-coloured back, a slender body, long legs and large paws. It has proportionally the longest hind legs among cats. The puma's coat is smooth and ranges in colour from silvery grey, fawn, reddish to dark brown. Only young pumas may have patterns such as stripes or spots. Melanism is common in these cats. The puma's tail is long with a black tip, and the chin, throat and belly are white. Males weigh 40-60% more than females and can reach a weight of over 100 kg.<h2>Interesting fact</h2>Pumas living in southern Chile and Canada weigh twice as much as pumas found in the tropics, where they must compete with jaguars that are larger than themselves.<h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>The puma has the largest geographic range of any native land mammal in the Western Hemisphere. It is found from British Columbia in Canada and the USA through Central and South America to the southern tip of Chile.The cougar prefers complex habitats, including rocky, steep mountain ecosystems and diverse forests with undergrowth, but also occupies open habitats with minimal vegetation cover, such as the grasslands of Patagonia.<h2>Behaviour</h2>The puma cannot roar, but is able to make a variety of sounds including chirps, hisses, growls and whistles. Pumas are solitary, displaying activity at night - most at dusk and dawn. The puma hunts on the ground, but he is a good climber. It hunts by tracking and attacking prey at close range. While hunting may travel long distances.<h2>Food</h2>Pumas prey on insects, birds, mice, porcupines, capybara, pardas, deer, sheep and elk. In North America, pumas feed mainly on ungulates such as deer and elk, but also on smaller animals such as wild boar, raccoons, beavers and armadillos.<h2>Main threats</h2>The main threats to pumas are habitat loss, fragmentation and persecution by humans.

Body weight

30-80 kg

100-150 cm

60-90 cm

8-12 years

1-5 kittens (usually 2-3)

ocelot

Leopardus

The ocelot is genetically very diverse throughout its range. Between four and nine subspecies have been proposed, but based on recent research only two subspecies are provisionally recognised:Leopardus pardalis pardalis&nbsp;Leopardus pardalis mitis&nbsp;<h2>Appearance</h2>The ocelot is a medium-sized cat with a short coat that ranges in colour from pale yellow, yellowish beige, yellowish brown to greyish. It is covered with dark black spots, stripes and rosettes, which diminish on the limbs and merge into the typical longitudinal stripes on the flanks. The throat and belly are white. It has rounded ears, the back of which is black with a central white spot. The tail of the ocelot is usually short with black rings or stripes on the upper side. Each individual is visually unique and coat colours can vary between and within populations. The ocelot has relatively stocky legs and proportionally large paws, with the front paws being slightly larger than the hind paws. Males typically weigh more than females, and ocelots from rainforests are larger than those from semi-arid habitats.<h2>Distribution</h2>The ocelot's distribution range is large. Its location ranges from Texas in the USA across the Mexican coast, through Central and South America, to northeastern Argentina and southern Brazil.The ocelot occupies a wide variety of habitats, but is most commonly associated with dense habitats such as evergreen forests and areas near fresh water. Ocelot habitats may include tropical and subtropical dry, floodplain, deciduous, semi-deciduous, coastal, lowland, montane, foothill, riparian or coniferous forests, but they avoid bamboo forests.<h2>Food</h2>Until recently, it was thought that the ocelot feeds mainly on small animals (weighing less than 0.6 kg. Recently, it has been shown that ocelots can depend on larger prey (&gt;1 kg) such as aguti, paki, anteaters, monkeys, snakes, sloths, Brazilian rabbits, porcupines and even deer.<h2>Curiosity</h2>Occasional capture of big bats by ocelots has also been reported, indicating another possible hunting method involving leaping and capturing prey in flight.<h2>Main threats</h2>The main threats to the ocelot are habitat destruction and fragmentation (mainly due to logging and agricultural activities) leading to a loss of food base. In addition, ocelots are threatened by population isolation due to habitat fragmentation, which can lead to a loss of genetic diversity.

8-15 kg

50-100 cm

Tail lengt

10 years in the wild; up to 20 years in captivity

&nbsp;1-4 kittens

Ocelot

Tigress ocelot

<h2>Appearance</h2>Tigercelots are small cats with a slender body, with proportions similar to a domestic cat. While some individuals are small and weigh only about 1.8 kg, others - larger - weigh about 3.5 kg.Tiger cats show variation in colouration. Tigercelots from the western part of their range are darker colour, orange-brown to yellow and grey-brown. The rosettes on the coat are medium in size and tend to form oblique bands. Meanwhile, tiger ocelots from eastern South America have a lighter base colour with a spectrum of light yellow to greyish yellow. Their rosettes are smaller and do not merge into oblique bands. The pale coloured belly is covered with spots. Tigercelots have large ears with a black back and a white spot in the middle, and a striped tail.<h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>The range of the tiger ocelot extends from Costa Rica and Panama in Central America, through South America and into central Brazil.The tiger ocelot is found in a wide range of habitats. These include tropical and subtropical rainforests, deciduous/semi-evergreen forests, montane and foothill forests, semi-arid thorny scrub, and moist savannas.<h2>Food</h2>Small mammals (up to 100 g), birds and reptiles (especially lizards).<h2>Main threats</h2>The main threats to the tiger ocelot are habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation and human persecution. In Colombia, mist forests are being replaced by coffee or eucalyptus plantations, and the Brazilian Cerrado is being converted to cereal cultivation.

1.8-3.5 kg

38-59 cm

20-42 cm

&nbsp;15-21 years

1-4 kittens

Pampas cat

<h2>Appearance</h2>The pampas cat looks like a domestic cat with a wide muzzle and long hair. Some individuals have long hair, forming a mane running along the back. The appearance of the pampas ocelot varies greatly depending on where they live. The backs of the ears are often grey or black with a white spot, and two brown bars run from the eyes across the cheeks. The nose of the pampas ocelot is pink. The tail may be marked with dark rings. The colour and pattern of the fur can be yellowish-white to grey-brown, smooth or patterned.<h2>Occurrence</h2>The pampas cat is widespread and found in many areas of South America. It lives in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay and Peru and marginally in southwestern Colombia.It inhabits mainly open grasslands, puna and bushland, but is also found in dry open forests, thorn forests, mist forests, floodplains, mangroves, swampy areas, rocky areas and cold semi-arid areas.<h2>Food</h2>Pampas ocelots feed on a variety of small mammals, such as guinea pigs, and especially small rodents. In addition, it has been found to prey on birds and reptiles.<h2>Main threats</h2>The main threat to the pampas ocelot in most of their range is believed to be habitat loss and degradation due to oil extraction, agricultural cultivation and livestock grazing, which also results the reduction of their victims. Other threats include killing in retaliation and hunting for cultural purposes. Pampas ocelots are also killed in road accidents or attacked by dogs.

3-4 kg

42-79 cm

22-33 cm

9-18 years

1-3 kittens

Kodkod

<h2>Interesting fact</h2>The Chilean Ocelot is the smallest cat of the Americas and one of the smallest in the world.<h2>Appearance</h2>Chilean ocelot's fur is downy, grey-brown or red-brown with many small black spots, and the abdomen is lighter and also spotted. The muzzle of this cat has a distinctive pattern: a dark line runs from each eye across the cheek, another dark stripe rises vertically on either side of the black nose. His ears are relatively small, rounded and have a black back side with a white central spot. Some individuals have distinct dark stripes across the throat. The tail of the Chilean ocelot is decorated with black rings and is about half the length of the body. Males are larger than females. Melanism is quite common in some regions.<h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>Central and southern Chile, including the island of Chiloe, and marginally in adjacent areas of southwestern Argentina from sea level to 2500 m above sea level.Vegetation cover is an important requirement for the Chilean ocelot, as it is usually found in forest types with strong undergrowth. It is strongly associated with the humid temperate mixed forests of the southern Andes and coast, particularly the Valdivian and Araucania forests of Chile. Characteristic of these forests is the presence of southern beech and bamboo in the undergrowth.<h2>Behaviour</h2>Can be active during the day and at night. Melanistic individuals show more nocturnal activity than normal individuals. The Chilean Ocelot is a good climber, escaping to trees when it feels threatened. This is also their resting place.<h2>Food</h2>It feeds mainly on small mammals - rodents, marsupials, lagomorphs, but also birds, lizards and invertebrates. Occasionally eats carrion.<h2>Main threats</h2>Habitat loss and fragmentation caused mainly by logging, agricultural and livestock activities and conversion of habitats to pine plantations, as well as direct attacks from humans.

Threat cathegory

1.5-3 kg

Bbody lenght

37-56 cm

20-25 cm

The fishing cat

Prionailurus

<h2>Appearance</h2>The fishing cat is a medium sized cat. His coat is short, dense and grey. Head and body are covered with a pattern of small black stripes and spots. On the muzzle, back and neck the spots merge into short lines. It has a white belly, and two dark transverse bars are drawn at the level of the throat. The head is relatively large and broad with small, rounded ears. The back of the ears is black with white spots. The thick, muscular tail is very short for a feline and measures only a third of the body length. The tail is marked with 5-6 black rings and a black tip. The legs of the taraja are short, stocky, and strongly built. The fishing cat's claws are never completely retracted. They have a poorly developed swim membrane between the toes. Unlike the flat-headed cat, the fishing cat do not exhibit distinct morphological changes that adapt them to hunting fish.<h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>The species is rapidly declining in numbers in all countries, especially in Southeast Asia. The species is mainly found in the Terai region in the foothills of the Himalayas, East India to Bangladesh.Taraj is strongly associated with wetlands. It usually lives near water and where there is dense vegetation. It is found in habitats such as swamps and marshes, mangroves, reed beds, and streams.<h2>Behavior</h2>The fishing cat spend most of their time hiding in thickets. They are excellent swimmers and divers. They hunt alone, mostly in shallow water, using their front paws to capture fish.<h2>Food</h2>The fishing cat eat mainly fish and other aquatic animals. They also feed on birds, amphibians such as frogs, small mammals, rodents, reptiles (such as snakes), snails, crustaceans, and mollusks.<h2>Main threats</h2>The main threats are habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as illegal hunting and retaliatory killing. Wetlands and marshes are being converted to agricultural crops and for the establishment of human settlements.

7-16 kg

65-85 cm

25-30 cm

up to 10 years

African golden cat

<h2>Appearance</h2>The African golden cat is a medium-sized cat with a compact body and relatively short legs. Its head is small in relation to its body and its ears are rounded. The fur can be reddish brown or greyish, spotted or smooth. The throat, chest and underside of the body are white, and there are usually large dark spots on the belly. African golden cat have white spots around the eyes and on the cheeks. In areas where melanistic golden cats have been recorded, they make up about 5% of all individuals. The African golden cat's tail makes up about a third of its body length.<h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>The African golden cat is an endemic species of the African rainforest and is found throughout equatorial Africa, from Senegal through the Congo Basin to Uganda.It is a species strongly associated with high humidity forests. It prefers mainly equatorial forests. However, it seems to be quite adaptable and is also found in montane and bamboo forests, as well as coastal forests and wooded savannas.<h2>Food</h2>Most of the African golden cat's prey is rodents. It also preys on birds, bats and primates.<h2>Main threats</h2>The main threat to the African golden cat is habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation.

65-90 cm

Ttail lenght

28-35 cm

Marbled leopard

 Pardofelis 

<h2>Appearance</h2>Primary color is brownish-gray to reddish-brown. The sides and back of the body are covered with large, irregular brown to reddish spots surrounded by a black border. The large spots progress to small dark spots on the limbs, tail and neck. The underside of the body is pale. Two black stripes extend from the inner corner of the eye, across the forehead back and down the neck. The marbled leopard has a more rounded head than most other felines, a broad muzzle, and rounded ears. The tail is extremely long, almost as long as the total body length, and very fluffy. The marbled leopard holds its tail extended horizontally and does not drag it along the ground. The relatively short legs and long tail suggest an arboreal adaptation for this small cat.<h2>Occurrence and habitat</h2>It is found from Nepal, Bhutan and northeastern India to parts of Indochina. It is also found in Malaysia and in Sumatra and Borneo.It is strongly associated with forest habitats, mainly moist and mixed deciduous and evergreen tropical forests. It prefers remote moist forests and primary forests.<h2>Behavior</h2>The behavior of the marbled leopard is poorly understood. It is known to be a very good climber, being able to climb down from a tree with its head down.<h2>Food</h2>No research has been done on the diet of these cats. They are thought to feed on birds, tree squirrels, fruit bats, rodents (e.g., rats and mice), and possibly insects, fish, reptiles (e.g., lizards), and amphibians (e.g., frogs).<h2>Main threats</h2>The main threat to the marbled cat is deforestation. Southeast Asia has one of the highest and fastest rates of deforestation, mainly due to logging and conversion of forests to human settlements, agriculture, oil palm, coffee, rubber and other plantations.

Marbled leopard 

Argentine ocelot

<h2>Appearance</h2>The Argentine Ocelot is a relatively small cat, sized like a large domestic cat. The colour of his fur and size are variable. The fur is grey to fawn with small regular spots which tend to form stripes on the limbs, and its belly is white. Two dark tear-shaped streaks on the cheeks, small triangular dark spots under the eyes, as well as the absence of rosettes, are particular features of this cat. There are several longitudinal dark stripes on the neck and the back of the ears are black with a central white spot. The Argentine ocelot's tail is shorter than in other small cats, and his head is slightly flattened. Melanistic forms are quite common.<h2>Occurrence</h2>The ocelot is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. It inhabits the pampas and savannas of the Gran Chaco from southern Bolivia to the Strait of Magellan, at altitudes from sea level to 3800 m in the Andes.The Argentine Ocelot can occur in a wide variety of habitats, preferring areas with dense vegetation, native forests, away from roads and near fresh water. It does not inhabit rainforests, and most of its range is dry or semi-desert. It is found in pampas grasslands, swamp meadows, deciduous forests, dry and shrubby woodlands, wetlands and riparian forests, coastal areas and savannas.<h2>Behaviour</h2>The Argentine Ocelot is a loner and spends most of its time on the ground, although it can also climb well. During the day he enjoys resting in bushes or in tree hollows. These cats are usually active in the evenings and at night, but not exclusively.<h2>Food</h2>His diet varies from region to region and often includes aquatic and semi-aquatic animals such as fish, amphibians and water snakes. It feeds mainly on small rodents and birds (including waterfowl), as well as rodents and rabbits.<h2>Main threats</h2>Retaliatory hunting and habitat loss and fragmentation are considered the main threats. Livestock farming and agriculture are widespread in many regions of South America, leading to habitat changes such as desertification due to overgrazing, which can also negatively affect prey populations of the Argentine ocelot.

1,8–7,8 kg

43–48 cm

23–40 cm

14 years

Red cat

<h2>Appearance</h2>The red cat is the smallest of all cats found in India and is about half the size of the domestic cat. The coat of the red cat is short and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://soft.It">soft.It</a> is fawn-gray in color with a blush tint. The coat has a pattern of horizontal stripes on the limbs and chest, The head is rounded and the eyes are relatively large with a white border. Each cheek is marked with two dark stripes, and four dark stripes extend from the top of the eyes back through the head to the neck. The back and sides are marked with reddish-brown spots that go into lines. The underparts of the body are white. The ears are rounded and small. Its tail is half the length of the body with a pattern of faint dark rings. The soles of the paws are black. <h2>Occurrence and habitat</h2>The species was thought to occur only in the southern part of India, but reports are now known from all over the country. In Sri Lanka, the red kitten has been observed in the dry lowlands, central and sub-montane humid zones of the island.It inhabits moist and dry forests, tropical thorn forests, scrub, grasslands and rocky areas. <h2>Behavior</h2>The red cat leads a nocturnal lifestyle. During the day it hides in dense thickets. It is described as very active and agile and as a good climber. <h2>Food</h2>The diet of the red cat is not sufficiently documented. Its main prey is small mammals such as rodents and birds. It also eats insects, lizards, frogs, sometimes bats and poultry. <h2>Main threats</h2>The main threats to rusty cats are habitat loss and deforestation, particularly due to the spread of large-scale agriculture, and the conversion of habitats to urban areas, industrial development and mining.

Near threatened

1-3 kittens

The flat-headed cat

<h2>Appearance</h2>The flat-headed cat is characterized by an elongated head and flattened forehead. Its ears are small, rounded and well set on the sides of the head. It has noticeably large, closely set eyes. The cat's claws do not touch the ground when it walks, but are always slightly extended from their sheaths. Its paws are long and narrow, with a well-developed Interdigital membrane between the toes. The pads are long and narrow. The teeth indicate some adaptation to a certain level of aquatic activity and a diet composed of fish. The more developed premolar is characteristic of mammals that hunt slippery prey because it provides a better grip.Its tail is short. The underside of the tail is light-colored. The fur of the cougar cat is thick, long and soft. It is reddish brown in color with a touch of gray. The top of the head is more red than the trunk. The hair is tipped in white, which gives the coat a silvery appearance. Its chin, muzzle, and belly are bright. The muzzle is paler than the body, and there are two distinct whitish streaks running down either side of the nose. <h2>Occurrence and habitat</h2>The The flat-headed cat is a species endemic to the Sunda region. It is found in Sumatra, Borneo, and the Malay Peninsula, which extends south to Thailand.It lives in wetlands. It inhabits lowland tropical forests, swampy areas, marshes, near lakes, streams, and bogs. <h2>Behavior</h2>Very little information exists on the ecology and behavior of the cougar cat. They are thought to lead a nocturnal and solitary lifestyle. <h2>Food</h2>The The flat-headed cat is believed to feed mainly on fish and frogs, but may also eat small rodents such as mice and rats, also crustaceans, birds and fruit. <h2>Main threats</h2>The main threat is habitat loss and degradation, particularly from the expansion of oil palm plantations.

Endangered

&nbsp;Approximately 2 kg

Bengal cat

Based on genetic studies, two subspecies of the Bengal cat have been tentatively distinguished:Prionailurus bengalensis bengalensis in South Asia from Pakistan to China and probably on the Malay PeninsulaPrionailurus bengalensis euptilurus in Manchuria, the Russian Far East, Taiwan, Iriomote Island and Tsushima Island. <h2>Appearance</h2>The Bengal cat looks like a miniature, long-legged and slimmer version of the leopard. It has a round head, a short, narrow muzzle and large, rounded ears. Its fur varies greatly in color and pattern from region to region. In the tropics, its fur is ochre or yellowish brown with a white underside of the body, while in the northern part of the species' range the cats have a gray-brown dense coat and are larger and heavier than cats from the south. The size and shape of the black patterns covering the body and limbs also vary greatly; spots sometimes form lines along the neck and back. Often a single stripe runs along the body. The tail is half the length of the body, mottled and sometimes has several rings near the black end. The ears have black ridges with a white tip in the middle, and there are two dark stripes on the forehead. The cat's cheeks have two narrow black stripes surrounding a white patch. <h2>Occurrence and habitat</h2>It is found throughout most of India, west of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and its range extends to the Himalayan foothills, China and north to the Korean peninsula and the Far East of Russia. It is found in most Southeast Asian countries: Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and China; Taiwan; and Tshushima Island and Irimote Island. It is the only species of wild cat that is native to Japan.It inhabits a variety of habitats, from tropical rainforests to temperate deciduous forests and dry coniferous forests. It can also be found in shrub forests and grasslands, as well as in hilly and mountainous areas. <h2>Behavior</h2>It is described as active mainly at night and at dusk. It is a good swimmer. It hunts on the ground and in trees. <h2>Food</h2>The Bengal cat's main prey is rodents such as rats and mice. Its diet also includes young ungulates, hares, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, eels, and fish. <h2>Main dangers</h2>The Bengal cat appears to be more tolerant of deforestation and habitat change than other Asian felids. It also inhabits degraded forests and modified habitats such as oil palm plantations.

2-3 kittens

The bay cat

<h2>Appearance</h2>The coat of the Bornean Mormi is usually chestnut in color, but individuals with a gray tint have also been known. The bay cat has a long tail about 73% of its body length, a rounded head and small, rounded ears. The coloration, body proportions, and very long body make it similar to the jaguar.The belly and underside of the tail are bright. The chin is white and there are two faint brown stripes on the cheeks. The backs of the ears are darker in all individuals. There are faint dark stripes on the forehead, and there are light spots at the inner corners of the eyes. A dark "M" shaped mark is observed on the back of the head. <h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>The Bornean Mormi is an endemic species of Borneo and is found in all regions of the island except Brunei and South Kalimantan in Indonesia. Its occurrence is still poorly known, although the number of confirmed reports is increasing.Its occurrence appears to be restricted to forests with natural and semi-natural vegetation cover, but it shows some habitat plasticity within these habitats. <h2>Behavior</h2>There is almost no information on the behavior, ecology, social or spatial structure of the Bornean Mormi. <h2>Food</h2>No information available. <h2>Main threats</h2>Not known. Habitat loss, particularly through commercial deforestation - conversion of forests to oil palm cultivation or other agricultural plantations, appears to be the greatest threat.

53-67 cm

tail length

32-40 cm

Mud cat - Chaus

<h2>Appearance</h2>The mud cat usually has a sandy-brown, reddish or gray coat with no patterns except for distinct stripes on the front of the legs and sometimes on the throat. Melanistic cats are common in southeastern Pakistan and India. The coat in winter is darker and denser than in summer. The mud cat has a light-colored throat and belly. The tail measures one-third of the body length and usually has dark stripes near the tip. The mud cat has a long, slender muzzle with particularly high ears that are set relatively close together, reddish on the back and ending in small black tufts. A broad dark line sometimes extends along the back of the ridge.<h2>Distribution and habitat</h2>The marsh cat is found from Egypt through the Caucasus, including Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, Central Asia and South Asia through southeastern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and marginally in Laos and Vietnam. In Egypt (the only African country where the Jungle Cat occurs), it is found along the Nile Valley south to Aswan and in the oases of El Faiyum, Farafara, Dakhla and Kharga.&nbsp;The swamp cat inhabits a remarkable variety of habitats. It prefers moist habitats with dense vegetation as well as tall grass or reeds in which it can hide, especially swamps and riparian environments.<h2>Behavior</h2>The marsh cat is a solitary cat that is active day and night.<h2>Food</h2>The marsh cat preys on a variety of animals, most commonly rodents such as rats and mice, which weigh no more than 1 kg.Main dangersThe marsh cat adapts more readily than most other small felids to life in areas that have been transformed by humans. In areas where the marsh cat attacks poultry, poison traps are often set for it.

5-9 kg

Tali length

3-4 kittens

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF WILD CATS

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