We will explain the characteristics, ecology, and habitat of the Iriomote wildcat. The Iriomote cat lives only on Iriomote Island, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, and its population is extremely small. This animal is classified as Critically Endangered, meaning it is at high risk of extinction and is in need of urgent conservation efforts.
What is Iriomote wild cat? About basic status
The Iriomote wildcat belongs to the class Mammalia, carnivora, family Felidae, genus Bengal wildcat. The scientific name is Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis. The body length is 50-60cm and the weight is 3-5kg. They can only be found in Japan and are a subspecies of the Bengal wildcat. According to information from Iriomote, this cat is the only large wild carnivore. It is a rare animal.
| Japanese（和名） | イリオモテヤマネコ |
| English（英名） | Iriomote wild cat |
| scientific name(学名) | Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、 Carnivora、Felidae、Prionailurus 哺乳綱、食肉目、ネコ科、ベンガルヤマネコ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | CRITICALLY ENDANGERED |
| Length（体長） | 50-60cm |
| Weight（体重） | 3-5kg |
What will be the classification?
In terms of the lineage of extant species of the cat family, it is the genus Bengal cat. The following subspecies exist in the Bengal wildcat genus, so we have listed them below. The Tsushima leopard cat and the Iriomote leopard cat are designated as endangered species. These are cats for which there is little documentation.
| Name:名前 | academic name （学名） | Habit （生息地） |
| Tsushima leopard cat ツシマヤマネコ | Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus | Tsushima, Japan 対馬 |
| Iriomote wild cat イリオモテヤマネコ | Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis | Iriomote, Japan 西表島 |
| Sunda leopard cat スンダヒョウネコ | Prionailurus javanensis | Java, Bali, Borneo, Sumatra、Indonesia ジャワ島、バリ島、ボルネオ島、スマトラ島 |
| Flat-headed cat マレーヤマネコ | Prionailurus planiceps | Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia インドネシア、タイ、ブルネイ、マレーシア |
| Rusty-spotted Cat サビイロネコ | Prionailurus rubiginosus | India インド |
| Fishing cat スナドリネコ | Prionailurus viverrinus | Indonesia, China, Thailand インドネシア、中国、タイ |
About the habitat of the Iriomote cat
According to research, Iriomote wildcats live only on Yaeyama Island and Iriomote Island in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. They roam within the island of Okinawa and are endemic to Japan. Many wildcats seen in Taketomi Town die in traffic accidents. The area is limited, so local residents and staff have a hard time managing the traffic and cats.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
The body of the Iriomote cat has a thick tail to the tip, a long torso, and thick and short limbs. Therefore, they are slightly different from regular domestic cats. In addition, the ground color of the whole body is dark gray or light brown, and the chin is white. There are two dark brown spots on the head, on the left and right cheeks. Iriomote wildcats live throughout Iriomote Island, but their main habitats are wetlands, rivers, mangroves, forests, and lowlands. Cats prefer to live in environments with abundant water.
What will your personality look like?
The Iriomote cat has a very cautious personality and is nocturnal, tending to be active from dusk to midnight to dawn. They are also similar to domestic cats in that they are capricious and selfish. I live a relaxing life in an area with a lot of nature. During the day, they often hide in tree cavities or rock holes.
What is the ecology of the Iriomote wildcat?
Male and female Iriomote wildcats feed on a wide variety of birds, frogs, plants, small animals, as well as amphibians and insects. They are polygamous and breed throughout the year. The average gestation period is about two months, and they can give birth to two or three kittens at a time. Kittens reach full sexual maturity in about one and a half years. They live for about ten years.
What are the natural enemies of the Iriomote cat?
Currently, the natural enemy of the Iriomote wildcat is humans. Although there are some large predators, there are many risks such as being hit by a car or having their habitat narrowed due to land development. Iriomote Ishigaki National Park and other places have taken protective measures to prevent traffic accidents. There are also cases of people getting run over in dark tunnels. There are no carnivores on Iriomote Island in Okinawa Prefecture, so there are almost no other predators.
Is the Iriomote cat an endangered species?
The Iriomote cat is only found on one island in Okinawa Prefecture, so there is no population of it. Estimated population is less than 100 individuals. The Iriomote cat first appeared in an academic paper in 1967. After discovering that it was a rare species, the government’s Ministry of the Environment designated it as a national special natural monument in 1977. In 1994, it was designated as a domestic rare wild animal and plant species. In 2007, it was upgraded from Endangered IB to IA. Some conservation centers such as the Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center strictly manage them.
Can Iriomote wildcats be kept?
Currently, Iriomote cats can be kept as pets just like normal cats, but because of their cautious nature, they need to be kept with more care than normal cats. In Japan, Iriomote cats are designated as “special animals” and in some areas permission is required. Furthermore, they are listed on the Red List and there is a treaty on international trade under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), so it is difficult to obtain them through international trade. If you visit the island, you can find them along the coast, so it is a good idea to admire them. There are pamphlets, pages, and signs with information on “watch out for cats jumping out,” so it is clear that the residents are always on the lookout for them.
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