By Adrienne Davis
Geographic Range
Catopuma badia is endemic to the island of Borneo. (Nowak, 1991)
Other Geographic Terms:
island endemic
.
Habitat
Catopuma badia inhabits dense primary forests and area of rocky limestone. Catopuma badia has also been seen in highland areas and near rivers. (The World Conservation Union, 1996)
Physical Description
(6.6 to 11 lbs; avg. 8.8 lbs)
(20.87 to 27.56 in; avg. 24.21 in)
Catopuma badia occurs in two different colors, chestnust red, which is more common, and gray. Catopuma badia has dark colored, rounded ears, and a whitish stripe that runs down the ventral side of the body. Catopuma badia weighs between three and five kilograms, and is between 530 and 700 mm in length. (Sunquist et al. 1994)
Some key physical features:
endothermic
; bilateral symmetry
.
Behavior
Some data suggest that Catopuma badia is nocturnal and hunts at night from the ground. (Cannon)
Food Habits
The foods of this species include small rodents and birds, carrion, and even monkeys. While this cat is very small and rare, Catopuma badia can be extremely vicious, and it attack animals much bigger than itself. (Postanowicz, 2001)
Primary Diet:
carnivore
(eats terrestrial vertebrates).
Animal Foods:
birds; mammals; carrion
.
Conservation Status
Catopuma badia is very rare, and little is known about it. Catopuma badia is protected in all environments where it is thought to be located (Rang, 2000).
Other Comments
Catopuma badia is a very rare species of Felidae. The entire knowledge of Catopuma badia is based on only 7 specimens. The first six were collected between 1855 and 1928. The seventh specimen was collected in 1992 (Nowak, 1991). Recently, there have been a few sightings of Catopuma badia.
Catopuma badia is most closely related to the Asian golden Cat. This relation is based on both appearance and molecular evidence (Rang).
Catopuma badia has a distinct feature in its dentition. The first upper pre-molar is smaller than normal, has a short, rounded head, and only one root (The World Conservation Union, 2001).
Contributors
Adrienne Davis (author), University of Michigan.
Kate Teeter (editor), University of Michigan.

