Visayan Leopard Cat
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Suborder
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Prionailurus javanensis sumatranus
Population size
Unknown
Life Span
up to 13 years
Weight
0.5-3.8
1.1-8.4
kglbs
kg lbs 
Length
38-66
15-26
cminch
cm inch 

The Visayan leopard cat is a Sunda leopard cat (Prionailurus javanensis sumatranus) population. It has been listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List in 2008 under its former scientific name P. bengalensis rabori as its range is estimated to be less than 20,000 km2 (7,700 sq mi), and the population was thought to be decreasing.

Appearance

The fur of the Visayan leopard cat is dark ochre to buffy fawn with large and dark spots. Its skull is a little narrower than of Sumatran leopard cat and Bornean leopard cat.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Subcontinents
Countries

Visayan leopard cats are found only in the Philippine Islands of Negros, Cebu, and Panay. They live in tropical forests and in Cebu, these wild cats have also been recorded in sugarcane farms. Visayan leopard cats are probably locally extinct or close to extinction on the islands of Cebu and Masbate.

Climate zones

Habits and Lifestyle

Leopard cats are solitary animals and spend time with each other only during the breeding season or when raising their young. They are usually active at night or from late afternoon to early morning when they do their hunting. Leopard cats are territorial. Males tend to have larger home ranges than females and each male's range overlaps one or more female ranges. Leopard cats are excellent climbers and often rest and hunt in trees. They are also very good swimmers.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Leopard cats are carnivores and mainly prey on various rodents such as rats and mice but their diet also includes birds, amphibians, insects, fish, lizards, snakes, and frogs.

Mating Habits

PREGNANCY DURATION
56-70 days
BABY CARRYING
2-3 young

Little is known about the reproductive behavior of leopard cats. In general, the gestation period lasts about 56-70 days and females give birth to 2-3 young. They become reproductively mature at around 18 months old, but sometimes as young as 8 months.

Population

Population threats

The biggest threat to Visayan leopard cats is the loss of their native habitat. Panay and Negros islands where these animals inhabit remnant forest fragments have lost 90%-95 % of their natural habitat.

Population number

The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Visayan leopard cat total population size. Presently, the Sunda leopard cat species is not included in the IUCN Red List and its conservation status has not been evaluated.

References

1. Visayan leopard cat Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visayan_leopard_cat
2. Visayan leopard cat on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/136889/4348516

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