Asian Leopard Cat: Things That An Animal Lover Should Know

Asian Leopard Cat resembles a house cat but we should not think about domesticating them. As they have leopard in their name, we can easily understand that they are wild. They have a small, round head, eyes are also round and have a short muzzle. They look very unique for having four stripes on their forehead. Their tail is ringlike and their body is tawny-colored except their white belly. However, their coat length and color vary according to different place and weather. The cats that live in snowy weather have dense coats to keep them warm. On the other hand, a warm climate makes the other kind with less coat.

How An Asian Leopard Cat Live

The Asian leopard cat is a very territorial animal and hunting for it is a solitary affair. Mostly at night, they become active like most of the felines are nocturnal. In the daytime, this animal rests on the branches of the trees. It gives the advantage of being attacked by most of the other animals. To define its territory, these cats mark then places with scent-mark or they scratch the trees. The territory of the animal depends on the size of the place as well as the availability of prey with respect to competition. The Asian leopard cat is a killing machine with acute eyesight and the best of the smelling and hearing senses. These cats are also very good at swimming and climbing trees, an added advantage while chasing the prey or being chased by other predators. They are very quiet animals however they can occasionally cry or purr like domestic cats.

What They Eat To Survive

The Asian leopard cat is a carnivore animal. They get their nutrition by hunting small animals and insects like cockroaches, bugs, birds, fishes, lizards, etc.

Asian Leopard Cats Mating Habits

Through mating, animals reproduce and their genes are carried through the next generation. These cats have polygynous mating. Many times the territory of a male cat can overlap with many female cats. They mate throughout the year. But cats living in northern latitude mate from January to march. The Asian cat is a mammalian and that is why their young ones are reared by either their father or mother. They cannot sustain their lives without the help of their mother or father. After eight to nine months they can take care of themselves and in eighteen months, they reach maturity.

Population Threat And Ecological Impact

Even though these cats do not need a forest habitat for their territory and less affected by it, they are losing their natural habitat. Other than that, people kill them thinking they kill cattle and poultry farmed birds. Many people like the taste of these cats and kill them for meat consumption and use their skin while others capture them for the pet market. Even these cats are common and can be seen in ample numbers, we cannot take this for granted and keep killing them. Every life form matters and they have a very crucial role in the ecosystem of their habitat.