african golden cat

The golden cat hereafter AGC, is considered an elusive species and reported to be very rare over its range, and among the least known carnivores in Africa. Distribution. It has small, rounded ears. Across its range, the African golden cat (Caracal aurata) is threatened by human activity most notably poaching, habitat destruction and human-wildlife conflict. The African golden cat (Caracal aurata) is a wild cat distributed in the rainforests of West and Central Africa, and has been categorized as Vulnerable by IUCN.Its body size ranges from 61 to 101 cm (24 to 40 in), with a tail length of 16 to 46 cm (6.3 to 18.1 in).It is a close relative of both the caracal and the serval. It weighs between 8 to 16 kilograms (17 to 35 pounds). Like the Asian species, it's known by two scientific names. Download all free or royalty-free photos and vectors. Two color morphs, a red and a grey phase, were once thought to indicate separate species, rather than colour variations of the same species. Cheetah Panthera leo melanochaita-Wikipedia The carnivores that are present include leopards, African golden cat s, servals, different mongooses and two species of otter. Some are spotted, with the spots ranging from faded tan to black in colour. Poaching snares are the leading threat to one of Africa’s least known wild cats. The cat inhabits rainforests, high moorlands, bamboo forests, and cloud forests in its range. The African Golden Cat is known for being a great hunter, and there have been reports of them hunting and killing livestock as well. Its eye color ranges from pale blue to brown. The cat has a stocky build, with a head that is considerably smaller than its body. Thanks for subscribing! The kittens weigh 180 to 235 g (6.3 to 8.3 oz). Hair of melanistic skins is entirely black. African golden cats are robust animals with short, stocky limbs adept for arboreal hunting. It lives in the rainforests along the Equator, is very shy, and successfully avoids people – that is, until it falls into a hunter’s snare. This is what sparked the plan for pig banking. May 25, 2020 - Explore Katie Buscher's board "African Golden Cat", followed by 173 people on Pinterest. They are worth up to $25 locally, which is decent money in Uganda, and they’re prolific breeders, offering 6-15 piglets in each litter. [9] The Profelis aurata aurata can be found from the Congo to Uganda, and the Profelis aurata celidogaster inhabits Western Africa. The animals have a variety of colors. African Golden Cat . Its body size ranges from 61 to 101 cm (24 to 40 in) with a 16 to 46 cm (6.3 to 18.1 in) long tail. [4], Felis aurata was the scientific name used by Coenraad Jacob Temminck who described a reddish-brown coloured cat skin in 1827 that he had bought from a merchant in London. African Golden cats are the only forest-dependent wild cat in Africa, … No records of these cats exist for Benin or Nigeria, leaving a large gap between existing populations. OUR DATA: We use the most recent data from these primary sources: AnAge, UMICH, Max Planck, PanTHERIA, Arkive, UKC, AKC. Profelis aurata African golden cat Geographic Range. The African Golden Cat has a stocky build with a short tail and the coat varies from reddish to grey. African golden cats live in the rainforests of West and Central Africa, mostly in forested areas. OUR DATA: We use the most recent data from these primary sources: AnAge, UMICH, Max Planck, PanTHERIA, Arkive, UKC, AKC. The African golden cat can be found in tropical forests, from Senegal to Kenya, and the Central African Republic to Angola. An African golden cat is about twice the size of a large domestic cat. Tail length ranges from 16 to 46 cm (6.3 to 18.1 in), and shoulder height is about 38 to 55 cm (15 to 22 in). In 1917, Reginald Innes Pocock subordinated both the African golden cat and the Asian golden cat to Profelis. Because of this close relationship, the African golden cat has been placed into the genus Caracal. African golden cats are nocturnal animals, with peak periods of activity in the early morning and evening. Of the African cats, the one you’re least likely to have heard of is the African golden cat. The African golden cat is about twice the size of a large domestic cat and robustly built, weighing as much as 16 kg (26 lb). According to known species ranges, there are very few areas that actually indicate a possibly sympatric presence of all three species, and we believe this to be the first documentation of such an occurrence. The tribes of Cameroon use its tail as a talisman bringing luck during elephant hunting. [4], In Guinea's National Park of Upper Niger, it was recorded during surveys conducted in 1996 to 1997. The African golden cat is one of the three medium-sized African cats. The African golden cat (Profelis aurata) is little known by science, but is the subject of much tribal superstition in many parts of Africa. The fur around their eyes, cheeks, chin, throat and underside is often lighter than the res… One is Caracal aurata and the other, which is less common today, is Profelis aurata. cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) stands in long grass in savannah, maasai mara national reserve - african golden cat stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. Nowell, K. and Jackson, P. (1996). There may be dots on its body, but not necessarily. Although its name implies a golden coloured coat the golden cat is polymorphic – its base coat coloration varies extensively depending on its location -ranging from a golden… The body length of an African golden cat averages 31 inches long, with a 12 inch tail. Most people are unfamiliar with the African golden cat—it was photographed in the wild for the first time in 2002—but such obscurity is typical for small cats. [16][3] Proper food and nutrients are essential to … African golden cat (Caracal aurata) Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 13255598. If you are keeping an African Golden Cat, it is important to always provide fresh meats for them along with zoological vitamins, and water. [10], Skins of African golden cats can be identified by the presence of a distinctive whorled ridge of fur in front of the shoulders, where the hairs change direction. big lion male - african golden cat stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. The African golden cat was spotted hunting during daylight in Kibale National Park, Uganda. It is … Scientific Name: Caracal aurata, also Profelis aurata. BODY The African Golden Cat has a stocky build with muscular legs and large paws. This … Discover How Long African golden cat Lives. [2] Its body size ranges from 61 to 101 cm (24 to 40 in) with a 16 to 46 cm (6.3 to 18.1 in) long tail. [22] An adult African golden cat is small – from 61 to 101 centimeters (24 to 40 inches) in body length not counting the tail – slightly smaller than an American bobcat. It is about twice as large as a domestic cat. Grey skins have hairs that are not pigmented in their middle zones, whereas hair of red skins is pigmented intensively red. See more ideas about wild cats, cat species, small wild cats. As at the date of this post, there are many reasons why the African golden cat is endangered and all of them are to do with human population growth and activity. African Golden Cat (Profelis aurata) is wild cat that lives in tropical forests in Kenya, Senegal, Central African Republic and Angola. This is affected by its age and other factors. Scopri le migliori foto stock e immagini editoriali di attualità di African Golden Cat su Getty Images. [5] Please check your email for further instructions. See more ideas about small wild cats, wild cats, feline. They... Habitat. Breeding [10], In 1858, Nikolai Severtzov proposed the generic names Profelis with F. celidogaster as type species, and Chrysailurus with F. neglecta as type species. They are also the prey of leopards. It is a heavily built cat, with stocky, long legs, a relatively short tail, and large paws. African golden cat recorded by camera trap in the Chinko/Mbari basin, CAR in the early morning. Its tail is darker on the top and either heavily banded, lightly banded or plain, ending in a black tip. African golden cats range from two to over three feet long, and their colors range from reddish-brown to grey. This lineage evolved nearly 8.5 million years ago. Like the Asian species, it's known by two scientific names. The African Golden Cat. The cat is found from Senegal in the west to Kenya in the east, and ranges as far north as the Central African Republic and as far south as northern Angola. African golden cat is a type of wild cat that inhabits western and central parts of Africa. It is a … It lives in the rainforests along the Equator, is very shy, and successfully avoids people – that is, until it falls into a hunter’s snare. Body length usually varies within the range of 61 to 101 cm (24 to 40 in). Wild Cats: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. In Gabon, Liberia and Togo, hunting regulations are in place.[24]. [6] The African golden cat ( Caracal aurata) is a wild cat distributed in the rainforests of West and Central Africa, and has been categorized as Vulnerable by IUCN. The cat weighs around 5.5 to 16 kg (12 to 35 lb), with males being larger than females. An African golden cat is about twice the size of a large domestic cat. They mainly feed on tree hyrax, rodents, but also hunt birds, small monkeys, duikers, young of giant forest hog, and small antelope. The female gestation period is approximately 75 days. An African golden cat caught on a camera trap. Males often weigh between 11 and 14 kg. African Golden Cats are found in the tropical rainforests of western and central Africa at altitudes below 3,600 m (11,810 ft). Physical Description. It has also been reported the cat’s fur can change color due to factors such as age and environment. [1] It is a close relative of both the caracal and the serval. It is about twice the size of a domestic cat. Feb 14, 2015 - Explore Ori Halle's board "African Golden Cat" on Pinterest. African Golden Cat has the characteristic features of a solid and strong body, has long and big legs, small head and short tail. Many of these cats are also spotted. In other parts of the country, the cat… It can grow between 24-40 inches long and weighs 12 to 35 lbs. There are two subspecies of African golden cat that differs in color and type of habitat. Its undersides and areas around the eyes, cheeks, chin, and throat are lighter in colour to almost white. Pygmy tribes in Cameroon carry the tail of the African golden cat when hunting elephants to ensure good fortune, and the … African golden cat (Profelis aurata). Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2002, as the population is suspected to be declining due to bushmeat poaching of prey species, persecution, traffic accidents and predation by domestic animals. It is 62 to 101 centimeters or 24 to 40 inches long and weights about 8 to 14 kilos or 18 to 35 lbs. It is about twice the size of a large domestic cat. It is a close relative of both the caracal and the serval. cheetah in serengeti national park, tanzania africa - african golden cat stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. African golden cats will often change the color of their fur when in captivity, from red to gray. Dimensions: height: 13 cmwidth: 5.1 cmlength: 8.4 cm. Felis chrysothrix cottoni proposed by Richard Lydekker in 1906 was a dark grey cat skin from the Ituri Rainforest. [20], The African golden cat inhabits tropical forests from sea level to 3,000 m (9,800 ft). They have also been known to take domestic poultry and livestock. The African golden cat (Profelis aurata) is little known by science, but is the subject of much tribal superstition in many parts of Africa.Pygmy tribes in Cameroon carry the tail of the African golden cat when hunting elephants to ensure good fortune, and the … [17], Two African golden cat subspecies are recognised as valid since 2017:[18], The following cladogram shows the phylogenetic relationships of the African golden cat:[3][17] Their coat can vary from color, ranging from reddish to grey and is sometimes spotted. African Golden Cat – I visited the Conservation Through Commercialisation facility at Mpigi following an invite for one of the days, only one hour drive from Kampala. It is illegal to hunt the cat in Benin, Burkina Faso, Angola, Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Cote d’lvoire. The African golden cat C aracal aurata is endemic to tropical Africa. Pigs are both a food source and an income generator. The African golden cat (Caracal aurata) is a wild cat that lives in West and Central Africa. African Golden Cat Conservation. This small, elusive forest dweller easily slips by unnoticed, and until very recently, failed to show up on the radar screens of most conservationists. Your African Golden Cat stock images are ready. The cat weighs around 5.5 to 16 kg (12 to 35 lb), with males being larger than females. The geographic range of African golden cats, Profelis aurata, spans across equatorial Africa. Uganda. One is Caracal aurata and the other, which is less common today, is Profelis aurata. There was a time when African golden cat skins were used locally during circumcision rights or to wrap valuable objects. [12] This classification was followed by several subsequent authors. The human population within the distribution area of this cat shows the fastest growth rate in the world at 2.6 to … No effort to import new animals into North America is supported. African golden cat can be found in tropical rainforests, bamboo forests and cloud forests at the altitude of up to 9.800 feet. The African golden cat’s fur is short and has a golden, grey or red colour which can change over time. Completely black African golden cats (melanistic) are rare in nature. Its eye colour ranges from pale blue to brown. The African golden cat is a small species of wild cat. Hunting and deforestation have caused an estimated 44% loss of the cat’s habitat. Felis neglecta proposed by John Edward Gray in 1838 was a brownish grey cat skin from Sierra Leone. [13][10][14][15][2], Phylogenetic analysis of cat samples showed that the African golden cat is closely related with the caracal (Caracal caracal). Of the African cats, the one you’re least likely to have heard of is the African golden cat. It is a close relative of both the caracal and the serval. Liters consist of one to two kittens. "The Late Miocene Radiation of Modern Felidae: A Genetic Assessment", "On some new species of Quadrupeds and Shells", "Description of two Mammals from the Ituri Forest", "Notice sur la classification multisériale des Carnivores, spécialement des Félidés, et les études de zoologie générale qui s'y rattachent", "The classification of the existing Felidae", "Phylogenetic reconstruction of the Felidae using 16S rRNA and NADH-5 mitochondrial genes", "Phylogeny and evolution of cats (Felidae)", "A revised taxonomy of the Felidae: The final report of the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group", "High mammalian diversity in the newly established National Park of Upper Niger, Republic of Guinea", "Inventorying medium-and large-sized mammals in the African lowland rainforest using camera trapping", Species portrait African golden cat; IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group, "African Golden Cat: camera traps capture stunning photos of Africa's least-known felid", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=African_golden_cat&oldid=994970976, Mammals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Short description is different from Wikidata, Taxonbars with automatically added original combinations, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Distribution of the African golden cat, 2015, This page was last edited on 18 December 2020, at 14:28. It attacks a group of red colobus monkey gathered around a tree stump. In captivity, they live up to 12 years. JAVASCRIPT IS DISABLED. They have a stocky build with muscular legs, large paws and a short tail. The head is relatively robust with a short face, heavy muzzle and rounded ears with greyish-black backs. African golden cat (Profelis aurata / Caracal aurata)Although among African tribes it became a subject of numerous superstitions, scientists know little about it. This cat is closely related to the caracal.. Its fur color can change over time. The conservation status for African Golden Cats is Vulnerable (VU), and these forest dependent cats are highly threatened by forest clearing and bushmeat hunting in central Africa.. African Golden Cats are robustly built and weigh between 8 and 16kgs. 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