News : Recently, for the first time in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) and Haryana, a rusty-spotted cat has been photographed.
Rusty Spotted Cat
It is the world’s smallest and lightest known cat.
Appearance
It weighs less than 1.5 kilograms and is 20 to 29 inches in length, about half the size of a domestic cat.
Its large eyes may be an adaptation to its nocturnal behaviour.
Habitat: It prefers moist and dry deciduous forests, scrublands, grasslands, and rocky areas.
Distribution: It is found in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. In India, its range extends from Tamil Nadu to Jammu and Kashmir, including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Odisha.
Characteristics
It is a very active and agile and extremely fierce cat.
It is primarily nocturnal, resting in dense cover during the daytime.
Like other cats, Rusty-spotted cats mark their territory with urine.
It is an excellent climber, which allows it to catch birds.
Diet: It also preys on rodents, lizards, frogs and insects.
Threats: Habitat loss, farm expansion, and industrial growth threaten nearly 75% of its range.
Conservation Status
- IUCN: Near Threatened
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
Source: TH.
