black footed CAT

Black-footed Cat / Small Spotted Cat | Felis nigripes

facts

The black-footed cat is one of the smallest cat species. Males weigh 1.9kg on average, females only about 1.3kg. They reach a total body length of 36 to 63cm (14 to 25 inch). The tail is about 15cm (5.9 inch) long and shoulder height about 25cm (9.8 inches). Only the pads and under parts of its feet are black. Their fur varies in color from cinnamon-buff to tawny and is patterned with black or brown spots that merge to form rings on the legs, neck and tail. The skin is not a pigmented pink like that of other spotted cats however. The backs of the rounded ears are the same color as the background coat color. The eyes are very large.

Lente Roode received a phone call from someone in KwaZulu-Natal saying that they had an African Wild cat they had in their possession. They told her they were immigrating to Mozambique and needed a safe home for the animal. On arrival Roode realized that it was in fact a Black-footed cat, and not an African wild cat as she'd been told. Shortly thereafter Roode received another phone call, this time regarding the safekeeping of a Serval. When it arrived Roode saw that she'd received yet another Black-footed cat. Due to the lack of research available regarding the two species, Black-footed cats are often mistaken for either African wild cats or Servals. Roode is now corresponding with a Black-footed cat Breeding Station to ensure the survival of the species. There are currently 6 Black-footed cats at HESC (3 male and 3 female). Black-footed cats are endangered and do not breed easily in captivity.

Black-footed cats feed on rodents, spiders, insects and birds.  It catches its prey by stalking it and pouncing on it.  It kills rodents by severing the spinal column with its long canine teeth.  It is also common for these cats to cache larger prey and return to the carcass later. They sometimes scavenge on the meat of larger dead mammals such as lambs.
The Black-footed cats is a solitary animal, and in the wild it is seen only at night.  During the day the cat hides in ant-bear, springhare or porcupine burrows, caves, dense tangles of low thicket and other secluded spots.  It usually emerges several hours after sunset and is not at all active at dusk.
These cats have a strong territorial system; they mark territories with scent from urine and faeces.  The territories of the male appear to be larger and overlap the territories of several females.
When kittens are disturbed, they don’t run back to the den and hide.  Instead they scatter to the nearest cover and remain dead still until the mother gives an audible all-clear signal.  Upon hearing this the kittens relax and leave their cover to gather around the mother.

Black- footed cats are described as a rare species, but some experts suggest that they are common in parts of their range.  These cats are not threatened by hunting, but are affected by poison and traps that are indiscriminately laid for African Wild cats and jackals.  Black-footed cats are listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List.

The Black- footed cat has a short oestrus period, lasting for as little as a few hours and up to a maximum of two days.  The actual period when the female is prepared to accept the male lasts for only 5 – 10 hours.  Many think that the brevity of the oestrus period is in order to minimize the amount of time that mating cats may be vulnerable to predation.
After mating the male and female go their separate ways.  The gestation period is about 68 days and in mid-November through December, a litter of 1 – 3 kittens is born in a burrow or  other suitable hiding place.  When kittens are about 5 weeks old the mother starts bringing live prey and releasing it in front of them, allowing the kittens to hone their hunting skills.
The weaning process begins at this age and is complete within the next 2 weeks.  Sexual maturity is not reached until the age of 21 months.