The Leopard cat is a member of the Felidae family, known for its retractable claws, muscular build, sharp teeth, and keen hunting instincts. This family, which includes both large and small cats, evolved around 25 million years ago during the Oligocene epoch and is divided into two subfamilies: Pantherinae (big cats) and Felinae (smaller cats). Felids are found worldwide except in Antarctica, Australia, and some island nations, and all are obligate carnivores.
Leopard Cat
Historical Context
- Domestication: The first cat species domesticated in Neolithic China about 5,000 years ago, according to archaeological surveys.
Physical Characteristics
- Similar to domestic cats, they have longer legs and two stripes on their small heads running from ear to nose. Their tail is approximately half of their head-to-body length.
- The head-to-body length is about 15-28 inches and an additional 6-12 inches for the tail. Their weight is about 0.55-3.80 kg; in some regions of Siberia and China, they weigh up to 7.8 kg.
- Often people get confused due to their small size and physical similarity with hybrid domestic cats. But these are more dangerous than domestic cats.
Habitat
Their habitat is Tropical evergreen rainforests and plantations at sea level and subtropical deciduous and coniferous forests in the foothills of the Himalayas at elevations above 100 meters.
Behavior and Diet
- Mostly they live in solitude, except during the breeding season. Some of them are diurnal, but mostly Leopard Cats hunt at night. Their diet includes Murids (rodents), hares, lizards, birds, tree shrews, etc. They are carnivorous. They don’t mess around with their food like other cats. They just hold a tight grip while eating.
- They are Agile and good climbers, often resting in trees.
Reproduction and Development
- Their breeding depends upon climate, females in tropical habitats give birth in spring.
- They live for about 13 years.
Types of Leopard Cats based on their habitat and environment
Asian Leopard Cat (Prionailurus Bengalensis)
- Widely spread across Asia, including India, China, the Korean Peninsula, and parts of Southeast Asia.
- Diverse, ranging from tropical rainforests to temperate forests and even agricultural areas.
- Small and agile, with a typically yellowish coat with black spots and stripes.
Tsushima Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus)
- Endemic to Tsushima Island in Japan.
- Forested areas on the island. They have a dense coat to cope with the colder climate of Tsushima Island. They are critically endangered by habitat destruction, hunting, and vehicle accidents.
Sunda Leopard Cat (Prionailurus Javanese)
- Native to the Sunda Islands, including Borneo, Sumatra, and Java.
- They prefer forested and farming areas on these islands.
- Similar in appearance to the Asian Leopard Cat but generally smaller and adapted to the island’s environments
Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)
- They are mostly found in the Himalayan foothills, through mainland Southeast Asia, and China.
- They prefer dense forests, whether tropical or subtropical.
- Clouded leopards are famous for their big, cloud-like spots and strong build. They are more robust than the typical Leopard Cat.
Note: Although it has the name ‘leopard’, it belongs to a different species and is not a true leopard cat.
Differences and Similarities
- Asian Leopard Cat vs. Sunda Leopard Cat: While these two are very similar in appearance, the Sunda Leopard Cat is adapted to island life and is generally smaller.
- Clouded Leopard Distinction: Although sometimes grouped with Leopard Cats due to its name, the Clouded Leopard is significantly different in terms of size, build, and patterning.
Threats
- Almost every creature on this planet faces life threats due to human activities. Here are some of them. Their Habitat is getting destroyed due to forest cutting.
- They got hunted for their soft unique fur, but also for food and sale.
- Data reveals that Fur Trade in 1984 and 1989, about 200,000 skins were exported annually.
Conservation Efforts
- Commercial trades have reduced significantly due to steps taken by the authorities, but non-commercial hunting is continued.
- The Tsushima Leopard Cat is critically endangered and is the focus of several conservation efforts.
- The Asian and Sunda Leopard Cats are not currently endangered but face threats from habitat destruction and hunting.
- Each type of Leopard Cat has adapted to its specific environment, leading to variations in size, appearance, and behavior. Conservation efforts vary depending on the threat levels faced by each subspecies.