Buzz
Cats are among the most intriguing animals on the planet. The Felidae family encompasses more than thirty distinct species of cats. With a few exceptions, cats are skilled hunters with retractable claws that stay sharp for both hunting and defending themselves.
Their remarkable sense of smell, superior vision, strong back legs, and flexible collarbones enable them to outmaneuver their prey. They are true experts at moving quietly, silently sneaking up on their targets like shadows.
In contrast to dogs, most cats prefer solitude and hunt independently. Male cats often have minimal involvement in rearing their offspring, with the responsibility of raising young primarily resting on the females.
Many cat species are well-known. From the sociable and regal lion to the fast and graceful cheetah, cats have intrigued people for millennia. Yet, not all cats receive the recognition they deserve. Below are 10 lesser-known cats that will captivate you.
10. Margay
Margays are spotted felines with long, ringed tails. These South American cats are true tree dwellers. They avoid areas without cover and rarely descend from the branches. Even their births take place high above the ground. Their primary habitat is rainforests, though they can also be found in large coffee, cocoa, pine, or eucalyptus plantations.
Among the most agile of cats, margays face little competition when it comes to life in the trees. Their broad feet and dexterous toes allow them to hang with just one foot from a branch. These elegant felines can even rotate their feet 180 degrees. If that wasn’t impressive enough, margays are capable of jumping nearly 6 meters (20 ft) vertically and can leap across distances up to 9 meters (30 ft).
Their diet includes birds, reptiles, and primates. In an astonishing display, margays have been seen imitating the calls of pied tamarin monkey infants to attract the adults. Margays lead solitary lives and, much like humans, typically give birth to a single young.
Sadly, their shrinking habitats are being overtaken by farms and cities. Margay populations are further threatened by illegal trade in pets and fur. Unless action is taken, these magnificent cats may one day be lost to us.
9. Rusty-Spotted Cat
Rusty-spotted cats are some of the smallest cats in existence, often lighter than many domesticated cats. True to their name, these cats have a soft taupe coat with rust-colored speckles. Their white bellies, unmarked tails, and large, round eyes, which can vary in hue, complete their distinctive look.
These tiny felines are found in India and Sri Lanka. They typically reside near abandoned homes, in forests, on rocky foothills, within dense thickets, and across grasslands.
Rusty-spotted cats hunt small creatures, such as mice, rats, and chickens. They also eat termites and, when the opportunity arises, they will go after larger prey, including non-native gazelles.
Their reproductive habits are similar to those of domestic cats, with which they are known to interbreed. They generally produce one to three kittens, though little is known about the care of the young. Rusty-spotted cats are rare, facing significant threats from dogs, human hunters, and habitat loss.
8. Flat-Headed Cat
Little is known about these secretive cats, aptly named for their distinctive flat foreheads. Their build is similar to a domestic cat, with dark ginger-colored heads, brown fur, and white bellies.
Flat-headed cats stand out for eating more vegetables and fruit than any other cat species. Despite this, they are primarily carnivorous, feeding on aquatic prey. Their paws are more webbed than those of the fishing cat, and they cannot fully retract their claws. These cats are also fond of water, and even captive kittens have been seen instinctively moving towards it.
Their litters usually consist of one to four kittens. These rare felines are highly endangered due to habitat destruction, illegal trade, and water pollution. However, there is still hope for their survival. Found in Sumatra, Borneo, and Malaysia, these cats were once believed extinct in Malaysia, until resilient individuals were spotted in palm plantations.
7. Andean Mountain Cat
Snow leopards aren't the only felines that inhabit the mountains. The Andean mountain cat is a thick-coated, gray and yellow-brown tabby native to the Andes Mountains. These cats have specific habitat needs, favoring dry, rocky regions at altitudes of up to 4,000 meters (13,000 feet).
These medium-sized, nocturnal cats are relatively unknown. While there is little information on their breeding habits, it's known that they can give birth to multiple kittens and sometimes form pairs. Their diet primarily consists of mountain viscachas, small rodents that resemble rabbits.
The Andean mountain cat faces many dangers. Farmers kill them to protect their livestock, while cattle trample their habitats. Mining and hunting have further reduced their numbers. These cats are also killed for traditional medicine, religious rituals, and food. If no intervention occurs, these elusive felines could soon become extinct.
6. Black-Footed Cat
Many fascinating yet often overlooked feline species are quite small. The black-footed cat holds the title of the smallest wild cat in Africa. Its large ears allow it to precisely detect sounds, while its black feet provide protection from the scorching heat.
These cats, which are spotted and sometimes banded, inhabit the deserts and grasslands of South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. Though never scientifically observed, locals claim these small felines—ranging from 1 to 2.5 kilograms (2.2 to 5.5 lbs)—can even hunt giraffes! Despite their size, they are fierce enough to fend off jackals.
Their diet includes a variety of prey such as eggs, amphibians, locusts, rodents, young springbok, reptiles, hares, and birds. They employ different hunting techniques, including waiting patiently by burrows, chasing after prey, and leaping as high as 2 meters (7 feet) to catch birds.
Mothers give birth to 1–4 kittens, and aside from that, these cats are solitary. The black-footed cat population is facing threats from food poisoning, habitat destruction, and predation by dogs. Nevertheless, with their fearless nature, these cats have the potential to recover with the right help.
5. Iriomote Cat
Iriomote cats are now classified as a subspecies of the leopard cat. Their range is limited to the Japanese island of Iriomote, but they can be found across beaches, swamps, low hills, and rivers. These cats are about the size of house cats and feature dark coats with white spots and striking golden eyes.
These versatile felines are capable swimmers and climbers. They typically give birth to one to four kittens, which are raised in tree or rock hollows. The Iriomote cat is currently facing numerous dangers, including the fact that islanders view their meat as a delicacy. Additionally, their habitat is being increasingly transformed into roads, cities, and farmland.
Iriomote cats sometimes breed with stray domestic cats, resulting in hybrid offspring. Wild house cats also compete with the Iriomote cats for resources like food, territory, and mates. However, their greatest threat is that they are restricted to a single island, which limits their genetic diversity and available habitat.
If the island of Iriomote were to be destroyed, these unique felines would be lost forever.
4. Jaguarundi
Although named after jaguars, jaguarundis are actually more closely related to cougars. These small South American felines have slender bodies, long tails, short limbs, small ears, and coats that can be black, gray-brown, or red-brown.
Jaguarundis inhabit the forests, grasslands, swamps, and scrublands of southern Mexico and much of South America. They have a varied diet, consuming rodents, fruit, birds, and reptiles. These active cats, which are often seen hunting or traveling in pairs, are extremely vocal and can make up to 13 different sounds.
Jaguarundis usually have litters of one to four kittens, born in secluded spots. Unlike many other cats on this list, their population isn't currently under major threat. While their fur isn't highly prized for sale, they are sometimes killed for hunting poultry.
3. Oncilla
The oncilla is a small, spotted cat native to parts of northern South America. Despite their delicate appearance, these cats are far from fragile. They thrive in high altitudes, up to 3,600 meters (11,800 ft), and are found in forests, near human settlements, and in scrublands, often in higher densities than other feline species.
Oncillas are related to margays but tend to be smaller and more terrestrial. While they are capable climbers, they prefer to hunt on the ground, where they mostly feed on rodents.
A female oncilla can give birth to anywhere from one to three kittens, although she may occasionally face aggression from male cats. These felines have a notable lifespan, living up to 23 years in captivity, which is longer than many other species of cats.
The oncilla is vulnerable due to competition with larger cats. However, the greatest threats to their survival stem from human activities, such as habitat destruction, the fur trade, and the exotic pet trade. Despite these challenges, the oncilla has shown remarkable adaptability, even thriving in environments like coffee plantations, providing some hope for the future of these small, graceful cats.
2. Asiatic Golden Cat
The Asiatic golden cat is a medium-sized feline with a thick coat of fur, which can come in a variety of colors such as black, red-brown, gray, russet, golden-brown, and brown. These elusive creatures inhabit the forests and rocky landscapes of Southeast Asia, but much about their behavior and lifestyle remains a mystery due to their rarity.
Although the Asiatic golden cat spends much of its time on the ground, it will occasionally climb trees. Females typically give birth to one to three kittens. Unfortunately, many male cats have killed their own mates, complicating efforts to breed them in captivity.
In response to these challenges, including instances where Asiatic golden cats eat their own kittens, scientists attempted artificial insemination, which successfully resulted in the birth of two kittens.
The significance of this success is heightened by the numerous threats facing the Asiatic golden cat. These cats are hunted for their pelts, killed to prevent them from preying on livestock, and even eaten by villagers who believe their flesh enhances strength. Additionally, their ground-up bones are used in traditional remedies to treat fevers.
The Asiatic golden cat is a complex and fascinating species. Its occasionally aggressive behavior makes conservation efforts more challenging, yet its unique nature continues to captivate scientists and wildlife enthusiasts.
1. Marbled Cat
Though smaller in size, marbled cats closely resemble clouded leopards. These elusive felines are native exclusively to the forests of Southeast Asia, but much remains unknown about their mysterious lives.
Marbled cats are believed to spend much of their time in trees, aided by their flexible feet and short limbs. Known for their incredible agility, they share a unique ability with the margay to rotate their paws. They give birth to litters of one to four kittens, but little is understood about their breeding habits.
Not much is known about their diet, but it is speculated that they may consume bats. As their forests are rapidly being destroyed to make way for cities and agriculture, the future of these captivating creatures remains uncertain, and we may never fully understand the true wonders of the marbled cat.
