Prionailurus bengalensis
leopard cat

Prionailurus bengalensis is widely distributed throughout Asia, including several islands. It is found from Java and Bali, north to southeastern Siberia and Manchuria, as far east as India, and westward to Korea and the Philippines (Nowell and Jackson 1996).

Besides living in a variety of habitats, leopard cats usually live near a reliable water source (Nowell and Jackson 1996). They are found at high and low altitudes, often in areas of secondary growth. They have even been known to live and breed in agricultural areas such as coffee plantations.

The coloration of P. bengalensis varies somewhat throughout its range. Leopard cats tend to be yellowish-brown in the tropics and greyish-brown in the northern parts of their range (Nowell and Jackson 1996). Most often, they are pale tawny on the upper parts and white on the underparts (Nowak 1991). The body and tail are covered with dark spots, with stripes running down the back of the head. These break into short bands and elongated spots down the middle of the back. The tail has indistinct rings toward its tip. P. bengalensis measures 60-90 cm (head and body) with a tail length of 28-37 cm and a shoulder height of 20-45 cm. There is sexual dimorphism; males weigh more than females. The eyes are outlined with white stripes that originate at the internal corners and streak across the cheeks.

Leopard cats are solitary animals that sleep in small caves or hollow trees (Nowak 1991). They were thought to be mainly nocturnal, however Rabinowitz (1990) found a Thailand population to have an arrhythmic activity pattern throughout the day. This may be explained by the need to exploit a wide variety of prey. Although this species is mainly terrestrial, it is arboreal to some extent, climbing heights of over 20 meters (Rabinowitz 1990). In addition, leopard cats are excellent swimmers, which may explain many offshore populations (Nowell and Jackson 1996). They are mainly solitary with average home ranges of 1.5-7.5 km2 (core areas of .7-2 km2) that overlap with other individuals (Rabinowitz 1990). These large areas are required to provide sufficient hunting area for these carnivores.

The diet of P. bengalensis consists mostly of rodents, with the rajah rat (Maxomys surifer) comprising the majority of the diet for a Thailand population. However, they also consume small ungulates, hares, insectivores, mustelids, pigs, lizards, snakes, birds, reptiles, insects, eels, fish, crab, and carrion. The diet may also include domestic poultry raided from neighboring human establishments. Grass has also been found in half of all feces collected by Rabinowitz (1990).

(Nowell and Jackson 1996, Rabinowitz 1990)

P. bengalensis has been known to raid poultry farms (Nowell and Jackson 1996).

The fur industry has brought great profits to China and leopard cats are hunted for their fur (Nowell and Jackson 1996). They are also known to hunt rats and mice in agricultural areas, thus saving crops.

Although P. bengalensis is common relative to other felids, several island populations are vulnerable due to their small sizes (Nowell and Jackson 1996). Even though these cats may seem quite adaptable due to the many habitats in which they live, where forests are threatened, so are leopard cats. Also, hunting may threaten certain populations of P. bengalensis. According to Nowell and Jackson (1996), there is national legislation prohibiting the hunting of P. bengalensis in Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand, and Taiwan. Hunting and trade are regulated in Bhutan, Brunei, China, Philippines, and Vietnam. To safeguard wild populations, captive breeding is being developed for some island populations.

Also according to Nowell and Jackson (1996), the most problematic area for P. bengalensis is China, where they are heavily hunted for their fur; 400,000 skins were exported annually from 1985-1988. After an European import ban, Japan has taken over as the main importer of fur. To protect the future of P. bengalensis, the Cat Action Plan has started researching China's leopard cat harvest, management, and market organization. Ecological field research will also provide data for protected versus harvested populations of P. bengalensis.

Since P. bengalensis is such an accomplished swimmer and has populated many islands, several populations have been isolated. As may be expected, these populations may have differentiated to the point of speciation (Nowell and Jackson, 1996).

A great deal of zoological research into the reproductive biology of P. bengalensis is underway (Goodrowe et al. 1989, Howard and Wildt 1990). In vitro fertilization and laparoscopic artificial insemination techniques have helped zoos maintain genetically diverse captive populations. The techniques established in the domestic cat and the leopard cat can be applied to more endangered felids maintained by zoological parks.

Carlstead et al. (1993) used a combination of behavioral research and adrenocortical responses of captive P. bengalensis to determine appropriate housing environments. Individuals were found to exhibit elevated levels of cortisol in aversive situations. This research led to the conclusion that P. bengalensis must have appropriate camouflaged hiding places and enrichment items to induce natural exploratory behavior and reduce stereotypic pacing.