Prionailurus bengalensis
leopard cat

Prionailurus bengalensis is one of the most widespread carnivore species in Asia, and can be found throughout most of southern Asia. Prionailurus bengalensis occupies eastern Afghanistan and northern Pakistan, northern and coastal India, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Borneo, Nepal, Korea, Cambodia, parts of the Philippines, and Eastern China. Prionailurus bengalensis has been divided into a number of subspecies over its range that differ in coloration, pelage, body length, and reproductive cycles. ("Leopard Cat foundation", 2009; "Leopard Cat", 2001; "Leopard Cat", 2004; Francis, 2008; Mukherjee et al., 2010; Nowak, 2005; Watanabe, 2009)

Prionailurus bengalensis is found in tropical and temperate forests, coniferous forests, shrub land habitat, and grasslands. Its distribution is limited to areas with less than 10 cm of snow annually, and it is not found in steppe or arid climates. Prionailurus bengalensis has a fairly diverse diet and is able to find food in most habitats. It seems relatively impervious to human disturbance as populations in secondary growth and disturbed areas are stable and it is often found near agricultural fields and rural settlements. Prionailurus bengalensis is an exceptional swimmer, possibly explaining its distribution on islands, and is intolerant of temperatures above 35 C, possibly explaining its absence from central India. It is capable of living at higher elevations (i.e., 3000 m) with minimal snow fall. ("Leopard Cat foundation", 2009; "Leopard Cat", 2001; "Leopard Cat", 2004; "Professor Paul's Guide to Mammals", 2011; Fernandez and De Guia, 2011; Mukherjee et al., 2010; Watanabe, 2009)

Leopard cats are the size of large housecats. On average, they weigh between 3 and 7 kg. In general, they have pale, tawny pelage with a white belly. Their body and tail are covered with rosettes and their tail is often ringed at the tip. Four longitudinal bands run from their foreheads to their necks. Their head to body length ranges from 44.5 to 107 cm, and their tail ranges from 23 to 44 cm. Leopard cats have a small head with a short muzzle and round ears. There are differences in coat length and color based on local environmental conditions. At more northern latitudes their fur is longer and paler, and they typically weigh more. Their coloration varies with habitat. For example, individuals in snowy habitats have lighter pelage than those in heavily forested habitats, which tend to have dark-tawny pelage. Sexual segregation has not ben documented in this species. ("Leopard Cat foundation", 2009; "Leopard Cat", 2004; Fernandez and De Guia, 2011; Nowak, 2005)

In the wild, leopard cats have an average lifespan of about 4 years, and have been known to live up to 20 years in captivity. The lifespan of captive individuals varies greatly as individuals may die from the stress of transport. When leopard cats are released into non-native environments by breeders, they usually die not long after. ("Leopard Cat foundation", 2009; "Leopard Cat", 2001; "Leopard Cat", 2004; "Professor Paul's Guide to Mammals", 2011; Nowak, 2005)

Leopard cats are small ambush predators that prefer forested habitat close to water. Although classified as nocturnal, they are occasionally sighted during the day. Their primary prey consists of small terrestrial vertebrates, but they are excellent swimmers and attack aquatic prey when they encounter it. Leopard cats are solitary and roam throughout their home ranges while hunting. They are difficult to observe as they are elusive and small. They are exceptional climbers, which allows them to occasionally prey upon birds and bats. However, they usually are found on the ground. They are not known to interact with people, often fleeing when encountered. However, leopard cats are frequently found on the outskirts of rural and agricultural areas. ("Leopard Cat foundation", 2009; "Leopard Cat", 2001; "Leopard Cat", 2004; Cranbrook, 1991; Nowak, 2005; Watanabe, 2009)

Home Range

The home range of leopard cats varies greatly and is not well known. It can range from 2 km^2 to greater than 10 km^2 but typically falls between 2.5 and 5.4 km^2. Their ranges are often limited by the amount of available habitat and the degree of competition for resources. Their home range usually incorporates both a source of flowing water and forested areas. ("Leopard Cat foundation", 2009; "Leopard Cat", 2001; "Leopard Cat", 2004; "Professor Paul's Guide to Mammals", 2011; Mukherjee et al., 2010; Nowak, 2005)

Leopard cats use scat and urine to mark territories or communicate with conspecifics. Like most felids, they are ambush hunters and are generally very quiet. They rely on sight, sound, and small to hunt but are known to purr and cry, similar to domestic cats. ("Leopard Cat foundation", 2009; "Leopard Cat", 2001; "Leopard Cat", 2004; "Professor Paul's Guide to Mammals", 2011; Nowak, 2005)

Prionailurus bengalensis is primarily carnivorous and preys on small terrestrial vertebrates such as rodents and lizards. They are also known to eat bats, snakes and insects on occasion. Prionailurus bengalensis usually eats mice and rats, with species varying by location. Large individuals are capable of catching larger prey, such as hares and young deer, and possibly fish and birds. Its broad distribution results in a highly variable diet throughout its geographic range. In the Philippines, P. bengalensis primarily preys upon house mice, Pacific rats, rice-field rats, and Tanezumi rats. ("Leopard Cat", 2004; Mukherjee et al., 2010; Nowak, 2005; Watanabe, 2009)

Leopard cat are nocturnal and semi-arboreal, which likely helps reduce risk of predation. As ambush predators, they are extremely stealthy and they probably use their small size and cryptic coloration to avoid potential predators.Major predators include large cats and birds of prey, and they are hunted by humans for their meat and fur. ("Leopard Cat foundation", 2009; "Leopard Cat", 2001; "Leopard Cat", 2004; "Professor Paul's Guide to Mammals", 2011; Nowak, 2005; Watanabe, 2009)

Leopard cats are predators. They prey upon a number of small vertebrate species, such as rodents, possibly helping control pest populations. On islands, they are often the only primarily carnivorous species present. They are prey for larger carnivores and may be carriers of Feline Immunodeficiency virus, which can be transmitted to domestic cats. Parasites specific to this species have not been documented. ("Leopard Cat foundation", 2009; "Leopard Cat", 2001; "Leopard Cat", 2004; "Professor Paul's Guide to Mammals", 2011; Hayama et al., 2010; Nowak, 2005)

Leopard cats are carriers of potentially fatal domestic cat diseases, such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), and reas with high proportions of infected domestic cats also have high proportions of infected leopard cats. Leopard cats are also considered poultry pests throughout their geographic range. (Hayama et al., 2010)

Leopard cats are excellent hunters and prey upon small vertebrate pests in rural and agricultural areas. By controlling local rodent populations, they likely help humans in a variety of different ways, including disease control and regulating the abundance of agricultural pests. Their fur and meat are popular in China and Japan, and the sale of leopard cat skins is likely impacting local populations. They are popular in the pet trade industry, as they are often bred with domestic cats to create bengal cats. Restrictions on their capture and trade are being increased. ("Leopard Cat foundation", 2009; "Leopard Cat", 2001; "Leopard Cat", 2004; "Professor Paul's Guide to Mammals", 2011; Chan, 2010; Sanderson et al., 2008)

Leopard cats are widespread and abundant throughout their geographic range and are classified as a species of "least concern" on the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species. However, several distinct island subspecies are experiencing significant population declines. Potential threats include commercial trade of their meat, skins, and live animals for the pet industry. Leopard cats are considered poultry pests and retaliatory killings are not uncommon. (Sanderson et al., 2010)