We will explain the characteristics, ecology, and habitat of rusty cats. This cat lives in the forest areas of India and Sri Lanka, and is said to be the smallest cat in the world. For this reason, they are very cute and popular, but on the other hand, they are classified as a near-endangered species and are in critical condition.
What is a rusty cat? About basic status
Rusty cats belong to the mammalian order Carnivora and the family Felidae. The scientific name is Prionailurus rubiginosus. The body length is 30-40cm and the weight is 1-1.5kg. They tend to live mostly in the eastern and southeastern regions of Asia. Along with the black-footed cat, it is said to be the smallest cat in the world. The female is smaller in size.
| Japanese（和名） | サビイロネコ |
| English（英名） | Rusty-spotted cat |
| scientific name(学名) | Prionailurus rubiginosus |
| 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) | NEAR THREATENED |
| Length（体長） | 30-40cm |
| Weight（体重） | 1-1.5kg |
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: The Tsushima leopard cat and the Iriomote leopard cat are designated as endangered species.
| 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 rusty cats
Rusty cats are mainly distributed in southern India and Sri Lanka. This is a cat that has become a hot topic in videos. It is small, about the size of a mouse, and images can be found online.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
Rusty cats are the world’s smallest cats, weighing only about 1 kg even as adults. It is characterized by its very small size, and its fur is gray in color, with rust-red spots all over its back and flanks. The irises are grayish brown, and the ears are rounded. Rusty cats live mainly in tropical forests and grasslands and are nocturnal. Rusty cats are cats that spend most of their time in trees.
What will your personality look like?
Rusty cats are friendly and cheerful, and are popular with children, so they are often kept as pets. As a result, they have a relatively open-minded personality, which makes them easy to get used to.
What is the ecology of rusty cats?
Rusty cats primarily feed on rodents and birds, but they also prey on lizards, frogs, and insects. There is not much information about their ecology and reproductive behavior. They are said to have a lifespan of around 12 years.
What are the natural enemies of rusty cats?
Rusty cats are said to be the smallest cats in the world, so they are full of natural enemies. Since there are so many enemies, it is easy to become prey.
Is the rusty cat an endangered species?
The rusty cat is designated as a near-threatened species. Furthermore, as it is listed in Appendix I of the Washington Convention, international trade is strictly restricted, and breeding is quite strict. The causes are as follows.
habitat loss
Land development is progressing rapidly in Southeast Asia and South Asia, and deforestation is progressing considerably. As a result, rusty cats live in trees, making the environment quite harsh.
Cat skins are traded
Rusty cats are hunted and their skins are traded. In some areas, they are hunted for food or as a pest to livestock, and illegal hunting by humans is a problem.
Can rusty cats be kept?
Rusty cats can be kept, and some families in India and Sri Lanka do so, but they are an endangered species and international trade is restricted, so it is extremely difficult to keep them in other countries.
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