We will explain the characteristics, ecology, and habitat of the Tsushima leopard cat. This cat is a wild feline mammal that lives only in Tsushima, making it a cat endemic to Japan. For this reason, its existence itself is extremely valuable, and because its population is extremely small, it is designated as an endangered species.
What is Tsushima leopard cat? About basic status
The Tsushima leopard cat is a subspecies of the Bengal leopard cat, which belongs to the mammalian class Carnivora and the Felidae family. The scientific name is Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus. This cat is extremely rare and can only be seen in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. The body length is 50-80cm and the weight is 3-5kg. Also known as Amur wildcat. It has a long body and a thick tail.
| Japanese（和名） | ツシマヤマネコ、対馬山猫 |
| English（英名） | Tsushima leopard cat |
| scientific name(学名) | Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus |
| 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） | 50-80cm |
| Weight（体重） | 3-5kg |
What will be the classification?
The Tsushima leopard cat was listed as Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan. It was previously included in the genus Felis, and there is a theory that it is the same species as the population in Taiwan and the population on Iriomote Island (Iriomote wild cat).
About the habitat of the Tsushima leopard cat
The Tsushima leopard cat lives only in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. As a result, their population is extremely small. Because it is a rare and endangered species, there are few videos and other exhibits on online pages.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
Tsushima leopard cats have characteristics that are different from domestic cats. At first glance, they look identical, but they have spots behind their ears, vertical stripes on their foreheads, and very thick tails. Tsushima leopard cats are known to be sedentary, occupying territories such as broad-leaved forests, forests, waterfronts, fields near villages, and near the coast. They are active only within a range of 1km to 2km.
What will your personality look like?
The Tsushima leopard cat has a very cautious personality and tends to be active from sunset 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.
What is the ecology of the Tsushima leopard cat?
Tsushima leopard cats primarily prey on plants, mice, frogs, and birds. These are their only food in Tsushima, where there are no large carnivores. Mating season is from February to March every year, and two to three babies are born between April and June. The gestation period is approximately 2 months. Their lifespan is about 10 years, and they have lived for about 20 years in captivity.
What are the natural enemies of the Tsushima leopard cat?
Currently, the natural enemy of the Tsushima leopard cat is humans. In Tsushima, where there are no large carnivores, humans are the biggest risk. In fact, many cases of Tsushima leopard cats dying from traffic accidents have been reported. This has led to the creation of conservation plans and the emergence of organizations working to conserve the species.
Is the Tsushima leopard cat an endangered species?
The estimated population of Tsushima leopard cats is less than 100, and they are in an extremely dangerous situation. The Ministry of the Environment put it on the red list in 1998, with the main causes being people running over it with cars and the fact that their original population was small. For this reason, zoos in Japan have begun implementing breeding programs, and the population is expected to increase in the future. It was designated as a natural monument in 1974 as part of a national project for protection, and in 1994 it was designated as a domestic rare species of wild fauna and flora under the Species Conservation Act.
Is it possible to keep Tsushima leopard cats?
Tsushima leopard cats are a little more wary than domestic cats, but their ecology is almost the same. If you want to keep them, the only way to keep them is to get them from a zoo or a center that protects them. Some individuals have already died, but according to information on Wikipedia, it has been confirmed that they are kept in the following zoos. The zoo also hosts many other events.
- Tsushima Wildlife Conservation Center
- Fukuoka City Zoo
- Inokashira Natural Culture Garden
- Yokohama Zoo Zoorasia
- Toyama City Family Park
- Saikai National Park Kujukushima Zoo and Botanical Garden
- Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden
- Morioka City Zoological Park
- Okinawa Children’s Country
- Kyoto City Zoo
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