Asiatic Golden Cat

(Catopuma temminckii)

Live: Southeast Asia from Nepal, Tibet, Sikkim, Assam, Sichuan, Yunnan, Thailand and Malaysia down to Sumatra

Habitat: Prefers forest habitats interspersed with rocky areas, and is found in deciduous, subtropical evergreen, and tropical rainforests

Diet: Birds, lizards, rodents and other mammals up to small deer and buffalo calves

Gestation: 78-80 days, generally 1, sometimes up to 4 kittens

Longevity: In captivity golden cats can live 17-20 years

Status: Near threatened

General: The Asiatic golden cat has long been considered to be very closely related to the African species of golden cat, although recent research indicates the two lines split 6-8 million years ago. The name refers to the beautiful golden brown coat, although it may vary to very dark brown, grey, or a bright golden red.

Often plain and unmarked, it may also have spots and/or stripes. Melanistic, or all black individuals are not uncommon. The pelt is of a moderate length, dense and rather coarse. The backs of the short rounded ears are black with a central grizzled area. White lines bordered with black run across the cheeks and from the inner corners of the eyes up to the crown.

The golden cat is primarily a terrestrial hunger, but can climb if necessary. They have been reported to hunt in pairs when pursuing larger animals. In captivity, they pluck the feathers of larger birds before eating them. There have been reports of the golden cat scavenging, a behaviour not commonly seen in these felines.