Black-Footed Cat

This cat’s body is marked with dark lines and spots with black bands on the legs and feet have black soles. 

Also known as Small Spotted Cat, Anthill Tiger and Miershooptier. Felis nigripes
Conservation status: CITES: Appendix I. Cat Specialist Group: Category 2 for Global Vulnerability and Most Vulnerable of Sub-Saharan Cat Species. IUCN Red List: Vulnerable.
Distribution: Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and marginally in Zimbabwe and Angola.Habitat: Grass savannah and steppe.
Field characteristics: Africa’s smallest wildcat. Second smallest in the world. Weight: 1-2,5kg. Shoulder height 16-25cm. Colour: Cinnamon buff to tawny, body marked with dark lines and spots, black bands on legs, feet have black soles, short tail, broad skull, prominent ears, eyes reflect blue at night. Nocturnal.
Feeding: Opportunistic hunter feeding mainly on rodents and shrews (55%) and birds (20%) also insects, spiders, geckos, snakes. Able to kill Korhaans and hares. Independent of water.
Breeding: Gestation period 63-68 days. Up to two litters per year. Litter size 1-4 kittens. Kittens born in hollow termite mounds or unused Springhare burrows.
Lifespan: 4-6 years in the wild.
Social system: Solitary except for mother with kittens and short mating periods.

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