| Leopard Cat is one of the most beautiful | | | | reside in wooded areas and scrubs. They are |
| felines in nature. It has a wide geographical | | | | excellent climbers and capable swimmers. |
| distribution with marked differences in | | | | These attributes, along with their wide |
| appearance in various parts of its range, | | | | distribution in the wild and adaptability |
| leading many to classify it into a variety of | | | | render them able to take down a variety of |
| subspecies. Size also varies in accordance | | | | animals including hares, birds, fish, |
| with the habitat. In the southern part of its | | | | rodents, insects and even bats. Chiefly |
| range, the Leopard Cat is nearly two feet | | | | nocturnal hunters, they have also been |
| long (including tail) whereas the northern | | | | reported to be active in day time. |
| Leopard Cat of Amur region is longer (over | | | | |
| three feet) and heavier (ten to fifteen | | | | Primarily solitary, Leopard Cats are seen |
| pounds). | | | | together in mating seasons. After a |
| | | | gestational period nearing two and a half |
| Prionailurus Bengalensis, the Leopard Cat is | | | | months a litter of two to four kittens is |
| slightly larger than a big domestic cat. Fur | | | | born. Mother rears them up and may place them |
| color also varies across the range of Leopard | | | | in burrows and bush before they gain maturity |
| Cat, though it is generally yellowish in | | | | and independence. |
| south and grayish-white in north. Underside, | | | | |
| chest, lower part of head are all white with | | | | There is need for greater study of these |
| various dark markings, spots and rosettes, on | | | | beautiful cats in the wild. Leopard Cats have |
| the body. These brownish black spots often | | | | a vast range in Southeast Asia and their |
| join to form stripes on the back and head. | | | | conservation status varies across it. It is |
| The tail has black rings towards its tip. | | | | believed though that they are vulnerable in |
| | | | certain islands. |
| Residents of forests and grasslands, Leopard | | | | |
| Cats are seldom seen in dry areas. Preferring | | | | The author is a blogger about cats and an |
| watery areas they avoid arid habitats and may | | | | expert on leopard cat. |