Rusty-spotted cat
Rusty-spotted cat ( Prionailurus rubiginosus )
The Rusty-spotted cat ( Prionailurus rubiginosus ) is a small cat species, which is closely related to the Bengal. She comes wildlebend ago in India and the island nation of Sri Lanka.
Features
Rust cats weigh 1.1 to 1.6 kg, males are heavier than females. The body length is 35-48 cm, tail length 15-30 cm. Thus, the Rusty-spotted cat is one of the smallest wild cats. The fur of the Rusty-spotted cat is short. It is named after the rust-brown spots on the yellow background gray fur. She looks very similar to the Bengal, but their spots are less obvious and make a blurred impression.
Distribution and habitat
There are two separate populations of the Rusty-spotted cat, one at the southern tip of India, the other in Sri Lanka. They inhabit different habitats here. The Rusty Spotted Cats in Sri Lanka are residents of arid zones and rain forests. They are to be found there, both in the low country at sea level as well as in mountain altitude up to 2100 m. The Indian populations, however, are only in dry, open areas at home. According to one theory the competition of Bengal has displaced the Rusty-spotted cat on the Indian subcontinent from the forest habitats. In Sri Lanka, however, there are no Bengal, the rust cats out of the woods could sell.
On the Indian mainland, the distribution is incoherent. It is believed that the species occurs only in the south and in the west-central parts. A single specimen was detected in 1975 in Jammu and Kashmir distant.
Reproduction
Oestrus rust cats is about five days. Rusty Spotted Cats normally have a cub per litter, sometimes up to three. The gestation period is 67 days on average.
Lifestyle and diet
Little is known about the behavior of the Rusty-spotted cat in the wild. To date, most observations on the behavior of captive animals. Rusty Spotted Cats are crepuscular and nocturnal and solitary, the Bengals largely the same in their life. Although they can climb well, they move mostly on the ground. To their prey includes birds, mice, lizards and insects. Locals reportedly rust cats are often seen after heavy rains and then hunt next rodents also preferred frogs.
Subspecies
There are three subspecies of the Rusty-spotted cat. The nominate from India and also two subspecies on the island of Sri Lanka:
- P. r. rubiginosus, South India
- P. r. koladivinus, dry areas of Sri Lanka
- P. r. phillipsi, wetlands in the southwest of Sri Lanka
Inventory and threat
The Rusty-spotted cat is classified by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources ) as threatened ( vulnerable ). Hunting and trade in these animals is generally prohibited in India and Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, the trade is strictly controlled with domesticated animals. One reason for the decline of this species is the decimation of its habitat through deforestation and the progress of the use of natural areas for the human habitat. Another reason is the fur trade.
The Sri Lankan Rusty-spotted cat is currently being held in seven European zoos in Germany, France, Czech Republic and England. As a threatened species classified the small cat is an animal of the European Endangered Species Programme ( EEP). The International Stud Book ( ISB) leads the Frankfurt Zoo.