| Asian Golden Cat | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||||||||
| Conservation status | ||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Catopuma temminckii (Vigors & Horsfield, 1827) |
The Asian Golden Cat (Catopuma temminckii), also called the Asiatic Golden Cat and Temminck's Golden Cat, is a medium-sized wild cat (length 90 centimetres/36 in, plus 50 centimetre/20 in tail) weighing from 12 to 16 kilograms (26 to 35 lbs). In captivity this species can live up to 20 years, but its average lifespan in the wild is likely far shorter. While the fur is mostly foxy red or golden brown, black or grey colour variants may also be found. Normally, the coat is plain, save for some spots on the underside, and sometimes very faint spotting on the rest of the coat. However, in China there is a colour variant with leopard-like spots, which resembles a Leopard Cat. This spotted fur is a recessive characteristic.
Contents |
Distribution and habitat
The Asian Golden Cat lives throughout Southeast Asia, ranging from Tibet and Nepal to Southern China, India, and Sumatra. It prefers forest habitats interspersed with rocky areas, and is found in deciduous, subtropical evergreen, and tropical rainforests. The Asian Golden Cat is sometimes found in more open terrain. It ranges from the lowlands to altitudes of up to 3000 meters in the Himalayas.
Behavior
Not much is known about this rather elusive predator, and most of what is known about it has been found out in captivity. Previous observations suggested that it is primarily nocturnal, but a recent study on two golden cats showed arrhythmic activity patterns.[3] It is thought to be primarily solitary. As far as vocalizations go, it can hiss, spit, meow, purr, growl, and gurgle. Other methods of communication observed in captive golden cats include scent marking, urine spraying, raking trees and logs with claws, and rubbing of the head against various objects.
Mythology
In some regions of Thailand the Asian Golden Cat is called Seua fai ("fire tiger"). According to a regional legend the burning of an Asian Golden Cat's fur drives tigers away. Eating the flesh is believed to have the same effect. The Karen people believe that simply carrying a single hair of the cat will be sufficient. Many indigenous people believe this cat to be fierce, but in captivity it has been known to be very docile and tranquil.
Subspecies and conservation
The exact population of the Asian Golden Cat is unknown, but it is listed on "CITES: Appendix I" and as "Lower Risk/Near Threatened" by the IUCN. It is hunted for its fur and, increasingly, for its bones for use in traditional Chinese medicine. However, the greatest risk posed towards the species is habitat destruction. There are few of these felines in zoos, and they do not breed well in captivity.
There are three subspecies[4]:
- Catopuma temminckii temminckii, Himalaya, Southeast Asian mainland, Sumatra
- Catopuma temminckii dominicanorum, southeast China
- Catopuma temminckii tristis, southwest China
References
- ^ Hearn, A., Sanderson, J., Ross, J., Wilting, A., Sunarto, S., Ahmed Khan, J. & Mukherjee, S. (2008). Pardofelis temminckii. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2008. Retrieved on 18 January 2009. Database entry includes justification for why this species is near threatened
- ^ http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=14000004
- ^ Grassman, Lon (2001). "SPATIAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF THE FELID COMMUNITY IN PHU KHIEO WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THAILAND". http://www.felidae.org/PROJECTS/Thai_Cats/thai_cats.htm.
- ^ Grubb, Peter (16 November 2005). Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds). ed. Mammal Species of the World (3rd edition ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=14000025.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Catopuma temminckii |
 |
Wikispecies has information related to: Catopuma temminckii |
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
