Rusty Spotted Cat
Prionailurus rubiginosa phillipsi
WILD STATUS
Endangered
Endangered
DISTRIBUTION
Rusty Spotted Cats (The Mountain View subspecies) live mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka, but have also been recorded in Gujarat and Jammu provinces in northern India.
SIZE
The Rusty Spotted Cat is the smallest feline in the world, being half size of a domestic cat when full grown. Weight is 1.1-1.6 kg (3-4 lbs).
HABITAT
They live from sea level to 7000 feet elevation in humid forest, low scrub, deciduous forest and arid coastal belts.
REPRODUCTION
1-3 kittens born after 67 day gestation.
DIET
Consists of small mammal, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects with the occasional attack on domestic chickens when the need arises.
1-3 kittens born after 67 day gestation.
DIET
Consists of small mammal, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects with the occasional attack on domestic chickens when the need arises.
WORLD CAPTIVE POPULATION
The November 2001 ISIS report (International Species Identification System) lists 4 institutions world-wide housing 10 Rusty-spotted cats of the sub-species Prionailurus rubiginosa phillipsi in captivity.
The November 2001 ISIS report (International Species Identification System) lists 4 institutions world-wide housing 10 Rusty-spotted cats of the sub-species Prionailurus rubiginosa phillipsi in captivity.
MOUNTAIN VIEW POPULATION
We currently house 3 or 4 Rusty-spotted cats. We first acquired Rusty-spotted cats in November of 1993 when Reggi and Roxy arrived from John Asphinal's facility at Port Lympne England. In 1996, we also acquired Rosie and Randi from Port Lympne. To date we have not been fortunate enough to produce offspring.
We currently house 3 or 4 Rusty-spotted cats. We first acquired Rusty-spotted cats in November of 1993 when Reggi and Roxy arrived from John Asphinal's facility at Port Lympne England. In 1996, we also acquired Rosie and Randi from Port Lympne. To date we have not been fortunate enough to produce offspring.
INTERESTING TIDBITS
- For their size, Rusty Spotted Cats are the most ferocious hunter in the feline world.
- They often migrate from the forest to live near and in human settlements and mother cats have been known to raise kittens in barns and attics, often undetected by the human inhabitants.
- Little is know of this cat's habitat because it is secretive, thought to be nocturnal, and is easily confused in a passing glance, with a house cat.
- Major threats to their survival are loss of habitat and cross breeding with domestic cats.
- They have been known to kill small livestock and poultry.
HABITAT RANGE
ANIMAL FACT SHEET
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