Leopard cat Facts
Leopard cat Facts
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| Interesting Leopard cat Facts: |
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| Leopard cat can reach 15.3 to 30 inches in length and 1.2 to 16 pounds, depending on the subspecies. |
| Color of the fur depends on the geographic region. It can be yellowish-brown (southern populations) or silver-grey (northern populations). Leopard cats are covered with black spots, arranged in the form of rosettes (like in leopards) or scattered all over the body. Throat and belly are white colored. Tail is covered with several black bands and it ends with black tip. |
| Leopard cats have small head, narrow muzzle, slender body and long legs. |
| Leopard cats have slightly webbed toes which facilitate swimming and movement on the slippery ground. These cats are also excellent climbers. |
| Leopard cats are nocturnal animals (active during the night). |
| Leopard cats are carnivores (meat-eaters). Their diet consists mainly of rodents, shrews, hares, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and eggs. They hunt both on the ground and in the trees. |
| Main predators of leopard cats are leopards, tigers and wild dogs. |
| Leopard cats are territorial animals. Males occupy territory of 1.4 square miles. Females live on a territory of 0.81 square miles. Male's territory overlaps with territories of few neighboring females. Leopard cats mark their territories with urine, feces and scratch marks. |
| Leopard cats are solitary creatures except during the mating season which takes place from March to April in the northern parts. Leopard cats that inhabit areas with warm climate can reproduce all year round. |
| Pregnancy in females lasts 60 to 70 days and ends with 2 to 4 kittens. Babies are blind and helpless at birth. They spend first few weeks of their life in the hidden den. |
| Young leopard cats are ready to eat solid food at the age of 4 weeks, but they stay with their parents until the age of 8 to 10 months. |
| Unlike other cat species, males participate in rearing of kittens. |
| Leopard cats reach sexual maturity at the age of 18 months. |
| Leopard cats can interbreed with domestic cats. Created hybrid is known as Bengal cat. People around the world keep Bengal cats as house pets. |
| Leopard cats can survive up to 13 years in the captivity. |
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