Far Eastern forest cat - a mystery of the Red Book of Primorye

Description of the animal

The weight of the female ranges from 3 to 6 kg, the male can reach 6.8 kg. There were individuals that gained weight of 11 kg. The body reaches a length of 50 cm. The head is round, the eyes are expressive. The eyes have a third membrane that protects the organ of vision from damage.

The voice is hoarse, makes sounds characteristic of cats, but with a much greater emotional coloring. It not only meows, but also growls, hisses, snorts, and howls.

The tracks of a wild animal are the same as those of a domestic animal. The only difference is the larger size. It climbs trees well and has sharp retractable claws on its paws. The hind legs have four toes, the front legs have five.

In the mouth there are sharp fangs, with the help of which the animal holds and kills prey, and molars, intended for chewing meat. The tongue is hard, allows you to lick meat and care for the coat.

What does it look like

The Caucasian cat looks like an ordinary domestic mongrel cat, except that it is larger in size. The coloring is gray, with a small reddish mark. There is a black stripe along the ridge. There are also short transverse stripes on the sides and on the head to the back of the head.

The belly, throat and groin area are covered with light yellow fur. There are sometimes dark spots on the stomach. The tail is striped, with dark rings on a gray background. There can be from three to eight. In summer the color is brighter than in winter. During the cold season, the coat becomes thicker.

This coloring allows the animal to camouflage well while hunting. The cat goes hunting at night, and often sits in ambush.

Character and lifestyle

Settles in hollows, crevices, heron nests, abandoned burrows of badgers or foxes. May live in abandoned houses or near housing. It can also live in thickets of bushes or reeds. Prefers to lead a solitary lifestyle. Each individual has its own controlled territory. Usually it does not exceed three kilometers.

The peculiarity of the animal is that to mark the territory, the cat not only sprays urine, but also uses the secretion of special glands that are located around the mouth, on the forehead and near the base of the tail. The cat rubs against different surfaces and leaves an individual smell.

This is a solitary animal, but in places with high numbers, a certain hierarchy is formed between individuals that are often in contact. To protect its own territory, it can be belligerent.

The animal prefers to sit in ambush for a long time and wait for the right moment to attack. A sharp jump from an ambush can reach three meters. Sometimes it catches up with prey, but such cases are very rare.

A wild forest cat can swim, but will not get into the water without a special reason.

What does it eat?

The basis of the diet is small rodents, lizards and birds. It can also hunt pheasants or small-sized artiodactyls (young individuals). Very rarely catches fish or crayfish. Can also eat roots or some herbs.

During periods of food shortage, it can hunt hares or domestic animals. It can also destroy nests for eggs or chicks. Sometimes it feeds on young cereals, fresh carrion or fruits.

The wild cat is a highly successful hunter and poses a danger to river rats, waterfowl, squirrels, stoats, young large animals, as well as injured goats and other herbivores. Often attacks domestic animals and gets into fights with dogs.

When hunting large prey, it tries to gnaw through the carotid artery. In hunted large animals, the liver, heart, and lungs are primarily eaten.

Where does it live?

The animal is found in the forests of Central Asia, Western and Eastern Europe. Prefers deciduous and fir forests. The Caucasian forest cat on the territory of the Russian Federation is found only in the Krasnodar Territory. The number of this species is so small that records are kept of each individual.

This species is considered the largest among forest cats. In the Red Book, this species is number three, as one of the rarest species that are on the verge of extinction. Found in the lower reaches of the Kuban and Terek.

Reproduction

The mating season lasts from February to March. The female secretes special substances that attract males. A cat bears kittens for approximately 70 days.

There are three to five babies in the litter, which feed on mother's milk for four months. Only the female is responsible for raising the cubs, although cases have been recorded when the male brought prey to the den of the female with the cubs.

If the first litter of the season dies, the female is able to become pregnant again. Sexual maturity occurs at 9-10 months (females) or three years (males). Life expectancy in the zoo is 30 years, in the wild - 15.

Natural enemies

Lynxes, jackals, jungle cats, martens and foxes can pose a danger to the animal. In case of a threat to life, the animal develops high speed or climbs to the tops of trees.

Wintering

During snowy and cold winters, annual seasonal migrations occur to places more suitable for habitation. Deep snow prevents rapid movement, which is why the wild cat is forced to change its place of residence. If conditions are favorable, the animal spends the winter where it lives.

Natural enemies

Forest cat (European wild cat): habitat

The red spotted cat in the wild is afraid of attacks from large predators and sometimes becomes a victim of dogs. While raising kittens, the mother teaches the kids how to hide and avoid poisonous snakes and tigers. The danger to the population of this breed of cats comes from deforestation, which disturbs the natural habitat of the animals. Animals are forced to leave their places and survive in new lands.

Unfortunately, the rusty cat's main enemy is man. By constantly expanding agricultural land, people are destroying the natural habitat of wild cats. Predators are poisoned by mice that live in fields treated with chemicals against rodents.

Caucasian Forest Cat in the Red Book

It cannot be said that wild cats are on the verge of extinction. But these animals are so rare that they have been given protected status.

Main causes of extinction

The number is decreasing due to the reduction of untouched corners of nature. Also, one of the reasons for the extinction of the species is the ability to obtain offspring from crossing with domestic cats. The result is a hybrid form that cannot survive in harsh conditions.

In the last century in the Caucasus, these animals were hunted for their beautiful skins. Today, hunting these animals is prohibited, but there are cases of poaching.

Current population situation

Over the past few decades, the number of individuals of this subspecies has decreased. The reason is the destruction of natural biotypes. First of all, the number decreased in mountainous areas due to deforestation. Also, the subspecies completely disappeared in the area of ​​the Sulak River.

The population periodically increases due to the dynamics of the number of small rodents. Also, the number of animals is affected by unfavorable weather conditions. The Caucasian Nature Reserve is home to 120 individuals.

What measures were taken to protect

To protect this subspecies, the Caucasus Nature Reserve and Sochi National Park were created. The subspecies is listed in the Red Book. Today the population size is under constant control.

Tiger

Tigers can still be found in the tropical forests of Asia, but there are very few of them left in the wild, the exact number varies from 2154 to 3159 individuals.

The main threat to tigers is humans. Due to their attractive coloration, their skin has a huge value on the black market.

In 2010, animal activists raised the alarm and these wild cats were taken into protection.

Source: www.nastol.com.ua

13 countries where tigers are found have developed and implemented programs to restore the population of these striped beauties.

Interesting facts about the animal

1. On the territory of modern Russia, the cat was domesticated approximately 2,700 years ago.
2. The wild cat lives at an altitude of 2500-3000 m above sea level. The mountainous region is the most convenient place for an animal to live.
3. The animal prefers to sit in ambush and attack the victim suddenly. But he catches a hare without any problems.
4. Wild cats spread thanks to the Roman conquerors. They began to interbreed with wild cats. When Roman troops conquered Britain, these animals began to be used not only to protect outbuildings from mice, but also as fighting animals. There were times when the value of a cat exceeded the value of a bull.
5. Nowadays you can buy a real forest cat. They are bred in special nurseries. The price of such an individual ranges from 10 to 50 thousand rubles. The cost depends on the purebred and external characteristics.

Still have questions about the wild cat or have something to add? Then write to us about it in the comments, this will make the material more useful, complete and accurate.

Small cats - record holders

Tinker Toy The title of the smallest cat in the world was given to a pet named Tinker Toy, who was included in the Guinness Book of Records at the age of 2.5 years. At that time, he weighed only 681 g. The body length of this tiny animal was 19 cm, and the height was 7 cm. The baby lived in the USA in the family of Scott and Katrina Forbes. He died at the age of 6 years.

Mr. Peebles and the guinea pig
Another record holder is Mr. Peebles. The cat entered the Book of Records in 2004. The pet weighed 1.3 kg and its body length was 15 cm. Its first owner was a farmer who lived in Illinois. However, the cat was later taken by veterinarian Donna Sussman, since living conditions on the farm were difficult for such a baby. It was at the clinic that it turned out that Mr. Peebles was an adult cat, and not a kitten, as the doctors thought. His dwarfism is the result of a gene mutation.

Appearance

Judging only by appearance, one gets the impression of a round, not particularly rotating beast. But appearances are deceptive - under the huge amount of fur there is a small but hardy body of the Pallas's cat. The size is not particularly larger than a simple domestic cat, but the structure is more muscular.

The weight of a wild cat does not exceed five kilograms, the body length ranges from 52-65 centimeters, the tail is large enough for such sizes - 25-35 centimeters. The body is supported on short, squat legs.

The coloring is quite specific - this helps the cat hide from larger predators and hunt successfully. It should be noted that the wild manul cat is practically the only representative of the cat with such a thick coat. If we compare it with domestic cats, then only the Persian cat beats Pallas's cat.

The most popular spotted breeds of domestic cats

The tabby color is found not only in hybrids, but also in most domestic cats. The most popular breeds among them are:

• ocicat;
• Egyptian Mau;
• pixie bob;
• British shorthair and Scottish fold;
• American Shorthair (Kurzhaar);
• European Shorthair;
• Siberian;
• Maine Coon.

Ocicat

This spotted domestic cat was created as a result of a random experiment by an American woman named Virginia Dale. It was obtained by crossing Abyssinian Siamese and American Shorthair.

The Ocicat is easily recognized by its elongated muzzle with large, rounded ears and expressive almond-shaped eyes. But the main distinguishing feature of the breed is its spotted fur.

Active and intelligent Ocicats love active games and quickly get used to their owners. These large spotted cats are easy to train and do not tolerate loneliness well.

Egyptian Mau

These spotted cats are considered one of the oldest animals of this genus. According to legend, Mau was the favorite of the goddess Bastet. According to researchers, its spotted color is of natural origin and not obtained as a result of selection.

The body of the Egyptian Mau is similar in structure to that of a cheetah and is covered with short hair. The cat's fur is full of numerous spots. Where these marks are located, the hairs are colored dark not along the entire length, but only at the tips.

Pixie bob

The first kittens of this breed were born in 1985. They were born as a result of mating of a short-tailed polydact cat with a spotted cat. And after 10 years the breed received official recognition from TICA.

The pixie bob is easily recognized by its unusual “wild” appearance. It has an “animal” spotted color, fluffy ear tufts and a short tail. But the main thing that distinguishes him from representatives of other breeds is permitted polydactyly. The largest total number of toes that pixie bobs have is 28.

British Shorthair and Scottish Fold

These cats are considered one of the oldest domestic breeds. Both of them are registered with felinological organizations and have several acceptable color options. But most often among them there are spotted individuals.

The British and Scots are similar not only in appearance, but also in character. Both are self-sufficient, phlegmatic animals. They quickly get used to people and love children.

Scottish cat with spotted color

American Shorthair (Kurzhaar)

Work on the creation of this breed began at the beginning of the last century. To breed it, cats were used that were brought to the United States from Europe. As a result of targeted selection, it was possible to obtain shorthaired pointers with an attractive appearance and luxurious short fur.

The most famous American color is the silver tabby with large black spots on a light gray background.

Shorthaired pointers are calm, moderately active animals; they do not require special care. These beautiful spotted cats quickly get used to their owners and get along equally well with all family members.

European Shorthair

This aboriginal breed has a long history, but official recognition only came to it in 1982. The most common color of European Shorthairs is spotted.

These cats have an energetic temperament and have not lost their hunting instincts. Spotted natives quickly become attached to their owners and easily make contact with children.

Siberian

In all likelihood, representatives of the breed descended from oriental cats that came to Siberia with merchants. They have a luxurious long coat with a dense, thick undercoat. And the most popular color of Siberians is the spotted tabby.

Maine Coon

These huge cats were bred in America and are the pride of overseas felinologists. Maine Coons are distinguished by their impressive dimensions and weigh about 12 kg. These large, fluffy cats come in many color variations, with spotted being the most popular.

Origin of spotted color in cats

The history of this coloring began with the appearance of the first predators. Most experts agree that spotted coat colors were common to many prehistoric cat monsters, including giant jaguars, xenosmilus, smilodon, and mahairod.

Even today, a patterned coat helps predators blend into their environment, making them invisible. Their spotted coat allows them to hide from enemies and sneak up on prey.

For a long time, this coloring was characteristic only of wild representatives of the cat family. But as a result of numerous experiments, specialists managed to obtain purebred animals with spotted fur.

The first domestic kittens of the color called “tabby” were born in America thanks to geneticist Paul Case.