African black-footed cat - breed description

Black-footed cat - the mysterious inhabitant of Africa. The animal is also called the African wild cat. It is the smallest of all types of cats.

It is very difficult to observe these animals in nature, as representatives of this breed lead the most secretive way of life. To study it is a real problem for zoologists. But some of them were lucky, and they were able to observe the life of this cat in nature, and even capture some moments.

Where dwells

In nature, it can be found only in the vast African continent. For the life of this cat has chosen only the southern part of Africa. She can live for a long time without water, so life in the desert is not a problem for her. Many of these wild animals live in the Kalahari Desert, and in the driest and desert places.

From all over Africa, a black-legged cat can be seen only in a few countries. Most of them live in South Africa and Zimbabwe. But the African wild cat can be seen in Namibia.

The African wild cat chooses a flat arid desert for life, in which they perfectly mask themselves due to their characteristic color.

Appearance

The African wild cat is small in comparison with its congeners. An adult male in length will not exceed half a meter. And females that have reached puberty are even smaller. In length, their body will be even less than 40 centimeters.

The black-legged cat got its name because its feet are black. The remaining parts of the paws are painted in the same sandy shade as the cat itself.

1. The tail of the African wild cat is long enough, given the size of the torso. In length, it can reach from 10 to 20 cm.
2. The weight of an adult black-footed cat is also small. Adult animals of this breed weigh about one and a half kilograms.
3. The animal has a strong body. Paws are rather short, but strong.
4. The color of the African wild cat is olive-gray.On the surface of the body of the animal scattered small spots of dark color. In places spots, merging among themselves, turn into stripes. Such a feature makes these little cats look like leopards. Due to its color, the cat becomes invisible in the area where it lives.
5. The coat of the African wild cat is shiny and thick. The hairs are rather short. In winter, the color of the animal becomes brighter. This ability also helps the animal to go unnoticed against the sandy plain.
6. The head is large and round, slightly narrowed in front.
7. The cat's pretty muzzle is pretty, on which large yellow eyes are expressed.
8. On the paws between the fingers of the animal grows wool. This feature helps the cat navigate the hot desert sand without burning paws.

Lifestyle

Although this animal has a small size, nature has awarded him a number of abilities that help to survive in harsh habitats. These miniature creatures have endurance, which is very important for life in the deserts. The cat can go without water for a long time, has a camouflage color.In addition, it has a very sensitive hearing and excellent vision, which helps the animal to defend itself from dangers, as well as to hunt for prey.

By day the African wild cat hides, and at night it hunts. This behavior is common to many predators, and these cats are no exception. They are endowed with all the necessary abilities to successfully hunt in the dark.

These animals have physical strength and endurance, which makes it possible to move tens of kilometers during a night hunt. The victims of this breed are various small inhabitants of the desert. These can be insects and lizards, as well as various small rodents.

If it becomes possible to enjoy prey larger, the cat will definitely try to do it. She is not afraid of the fact that the victim is larger in size than herself. A hare, a black bustard and other animals can become a victim. If the big game hunt was successful, and the cat could not eat the whole prey, it would bury the remaining meat in the ground to be able to finish it later.

Residents of areas where this wild cat lives, call it "ant tiger."This name she received for the method of choosing a home. They settle in free termitaries or anthills. Also, burrows, where a porcupine or aardvid lived before, can become their home.

Black-footed cats breed and offspring

Blackfoot cats lead a solitary life. They are not considered social animals. The male marks the selected territory and does not let anyone in there. Females usually live on the outskirts of these territories chosen by males. Males take it quite calmly.

During the mating season, which falls on the very end of summer and the beginning of autumn, black-legged cats are looking for partners. Females mark sand and bushes with urine, thereby giving a sign to males. A few hours lasts courtship. After mating, the male leaves, leaving all duties to the female to take care of the offspring.

Pregnancy of representatives of this breed lasts from two months and can last for a fortnight longer. Kittens are born in small numbers. At one time, a cat of this breed can only have one or two kittens. Newly born kittens have almost no wool on their bodies. In addition, they are completely blind.If the female takes good care of the babies and feeds them regularly, then the kittens grow quickly and successfully. Already at the age of three weeks, most of them can crawl out of the hole.

Very interesting behavior of kittens during the occurrence of any danger. They do not return to the mother hole, but seek shelter throughout the surrounding area. Kittens leave the shelter only when their mother calls them.

For a month and a half, kittens eat mother's milk, after which they begin to switch to food that adult cats eat. The cat brings to the burrow still a living sacrifice, so that the kittens develop their hunting skills.

Toddlers live with a cat up to four months of age. After this time, begin to live independently.

Features of the African wild cat

The main distinguishing feature of the breed is the ability to live without water for a long time. This allows the animal to survive in the desert, even in the most arid time. They obtain the necessary moisture from food.

Among the locals there are many legends and legends that are associated with the physical endurance of the black-footed cats.

Bushmen who live in these areas often tell different stories about these animals. They are amazed at the aggressiveness that cats show during a hunt. Some of them are convinced that the black-legged cat can fight and win even over such large animals as the ostrich. But this, of course, is an exaggeration on their part.

Life in captivity

If a kitten in childhood was cute and playful, then in adulthood it will turn into a wild beast. These cats differ aggressive character. But the house in which they live, and their owner, will be very jealous. They will not tolerate other pets in the apartment. Peace between them is possible only if they have grown up since childhood.

Conclusion

Aboriginal people who live in the same areas have never hunted for these animals.But a significant expansion of the territories that people use for grazing or sowing, leads to the fact that these cats have fewer options for choosing habitats.

Also, representatives of the breed face extinction for the reason that they very often fall into the traps that people arrange to catch other animals. Scientists, to avoid the extinction of this species, have made it to the Red Book. Zoologists are constantly struggling to preserve these amazing animals.

Video: African Blackfoot Cat