We are fascinated by wild life and especially big animals. In the feline family, much attention is given to the big cats such as lion and cheetah. However on the other end we the have the world’s smallest cat, known as the rusty-spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus). This cat is native to India and Sri Lanka but is now under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List due to destruction of it’s natural habitat, deciduous forests.
It weighs a maximum of 1.6kg and can be up to 48cm in length with a tail which is half the body length. Known as the “hummingbird of the cat family”, it looks and sounds like a kitten. Despite its small size, it can prey on frogs, insects and even domestic poultry.
It has highly sensitive eyes and ears that warn of any possible danger. This cat is highly active and playful. It also displays daring behaviors such as crossing moving bodies of water at its own risk. Although very little is known about this specie of cat, it has been observed to be a nocturnal during captivity with little activity during daytime. They generally hide in dark places such as in trees and caves.
Mating is brief and the gestation lasts for almost three months. During this time, the female prepares a secluded shelter to avoid larger predators. After birth, the kittens reach sexual maturity around 68 weeks. By then they develop distinctive coat patterns of rusty blotches.
