Catopuma temmincki temmincki
WILD STATUS: Endangered.
LIFE SPAN: Up to 20 years.
DISTRIBUTION: They are found throughout Southeast Asia from Nepal, to Malaysia and Indo-China.
SIZE: Weight averages 6-16kg (30lb)
HABITAT: Temminck’s Golden Cat lives in deciduous forests, tropical rainforests and occasionally open habitats.
REPRODUCTION: 1-4 kittens are born after 75 day gestation.
DIET: Temminck’s Golden Cat eats hares, rodents, small deer and muntjack, birds, reptiles, insects and occasionally domestic poultry and livestock.
INTERESTING TIDBITS:
- Temminck’s Golden Cats have long been known in Myanmar and Thailandas “fire cats”. Legend says that carrying one hair from this cat will protect the bearer from attack by tigers.
- Burning the entire pelt will protect the entire village from tigers by driving them away.
- This Asian cat is very closely related to the African Golden Cat, although the two are separated by more than 6,400 km.
Although their status in the wild in unknown, these cats are reported to be hunted for their pelts and bones. The meat is considered a delicacy and the animals are roasted whole on a spit. The bones are then ground into a powder to be given to children to relieve fevers.
As Temminck’s Golden Cats become increasingly rare, poaching, as with the larger cats, is a greater concern throughout its’ range.
Because these cats sometimes prey on domestic stock, villagers actively hunt them. Deforestation of the tropical forests of Southeast Asia is also a major threat to their survival.
Little is know about this species due to rarity of sightings, which are becoming fewer due to human encroachment.
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