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Prionailurus bengalensis (Kerr, 1792)
| Family Name: | Felidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Vertebrates (Mammal) |
| Common Name: | Leopard Cat |
Name
Description
| Description | Upperparts, including tail reddish or yellowish buff with black spots. Head round with short muzzle and large erect ears with rounded margins. Back of ear black with white spot. |
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Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | Found in forest, scrubland and plantations. It tends to be solitary but sometimes occurs in pairs of small family groups. This nocturnal animal is largely terrestrial but can climb trees with ease. Diet consists mainly of small vertebrate animals such as frogs, lizards, birds and rats. |
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| Habitats | Forest, Terrestrial |
| Distribution | In Singapore, recorded with certainty from Pulau Ubin, Pulau Tekong, Jalan Bahar and the Mandai Road area. This species is widespread throughout South, East and Southeast Asia. |
| Nature Areas | Pulau Ubin |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Habitat loss and possibly illegal trapping. |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | Eaten by some people of certain ethnic groups. Kittens are sometimes kept but they do not make good pets. However, artificial hybridisation of the Leopard Cat with the domestic cat has given rise to a highly esteemed breed of cats known as the Bengal. |
| Conservation Notes | Habitat protection, and stringent policing against poaching. |
Status
| Species Status | Native |
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| Conservation Status | Rare |
| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Critically Endangered (CR) [2008], Endangered (E) [1994] |
Photos
References
| References | Baker, N. & Lim, K. 2008. Wild animals of Singapore. Singapore: Draco Publishing and Distribution Pte Ltd. 180pp Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp Ng, P.K.L. & Wee, Y.C. (Eds.). 1994. The Singapore Red Data Book (1st Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 343pp |
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