Asian Golden Cat
The Asian Golden Cat (Catopuma temminckii) can be found scattered all over Southeast Asia, particularly, in deciduous forests, rain forests, and open terrain with rocky areas. A typical Asian Golden Cat weighs about 8 to 15 kg. Its fur is coarse and thick, and the markings on their fur are not uniform. It changes from one location to the next, the fur's colors could be bright brown, red or gray-brown. Tail's ventral surface is principally white, and experts think that these could be used for signaling purposes.
Mating/breeding of the Asian Golden Cats occurs in hollow trees, hollows in the ground or among rocks. An Asian Golden Cat's gestation lasts up to around 95 days, and a set of 1 to 2 kittens is expected. The newborns' weight would be doubled after three weeks and tripled after six weeks. The male helps in raising the newborns.
They are mostly active during the night and they hunt hares, deer, lizards, birds and other kinds of smaller animals.
The total population of this species in the wild is unknown but it is thought to be uncommon. It has been rarely seen in the wild, although over the 1990s a few camera trap photos have been collected and two golden cats were radio-collared in Thailand’s Phu Khieu National Park (source IUCN).
Their main threat is the loss of their natural habitat through deforestation. They are also hunted for their pelt, and the bones are used in certain medicinal mixes.
Interesting fact: Local Thai people strongly believe that when a tiger is near, burning the fur of this cat would surely help. It would cause the tiger to flee.
eleven comments:
What an adorable cat! I’ve never heard of this one before. Regarding the “interesting fact” section, I think it’s pretty silly what superstitions people have sometimes. I sure hope they are collecting shed fur (unlikely) and not harming this beautiful animal.
NaturesPalette (URL) - 16 11 07 - 00:24
When was the Asian Golden Cat nominated on the endangered list?
Ray (URL) - 09 12 07 - 06:10
Hi Ray,
the last year it was assessed was in 2002 and it is listed as ‘vulnerable‘:
‘...estimated at below 10,000 mature breeding individuals, with a declining trend due to habitat and prey base loss and persecution, and no subpopulation containing more than 1,000 mature breeding individuals.’
in 1996 it was lower risk, and before that ‘indeterminate’
1994 – Indeterminate as C. temmincki (Groombridge 1994)
1996 – Lower Risk/near threatened (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)
http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/detail..
Dan - 09 12 07 - 10:29
What does the Asian Golden Cat need to survive?
Ray (URL) - 09 12 07 - 16:50
I actually look this up about The Asian Golden Cat, that 1 out of 4 kittens survive, poor kittens. I like cats and dogs so i have no problem doing a project on this.
Ashley Hughes (Email) - 07 01 09 - 04:50
this cat is so beautiful. i think its the prettiest cat i’ve ever seen. i dont blame the people for wanting its fur because its so pretty but its just wrong to do that to the animal. this world is too cruel.
treehugger (Email) (URL) - 18 04 09 - 20:47
Hi, I’m doing a project on an endangered species and I picked the Asian Golden Cat. It’s so sad that people would kill such a pretty animal. Well anyway, all you people out there post as much info on this animal as you can. Please, that would help so much. Thanks.
kaylisa w. - 18 04 09 - 20:51
I know that killing animals is wrong, but just think for a moment, about all of the stupid things that humans have done that might end up ruining the world!
Madeleine - 22 04 09 - 04:46
NEED MORE INFOOO !!!!! REALLY !!!!!!!! 
SaChaa ! - 04 05 09 - 15:05
i love this cat i’m doing a progect on it to he so pretty
tiffany - 22 10 09 - 18:52
I hate them too! They are very ugule! They remind me of Pandas!
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Tohru - 22 10 09 - 21:35
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