LEOPARD CAT -
ENVIRONMENT
News: Leopard cat sighted in
Maharashtra’s Pench Tiger Reserve for first time: Official
What's in the news?
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A senior forest official recently confirmed the
first-ever sighting of a leopard cat in Maharashtra's
Pench Tiger Reserve.
Leopard Cat:
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The Leopard Cat, scientifically known as Prionailurus
bengalensis, belongs to the family Felidae and is recognized for its
leopard-like coloring.
Distribution:
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These cats have the broadest distribution among
Asian small cats, ranging from the Russian
Far East's Amur region to the Sunda Islands of Indonesia.
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They inhabit regions across the Korean Peninsula,
China, Indochina, the Indian Subcontinent, northern Pakistan, the Philippines,
and Indonesia.
Habitat:
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While they can be found in agriculturally used areas, Leopard Cats prefer forested habitats,
including tropical evergreen rainforests, plantations at sea level, and
subtropical deciduous and coniferous forests in the Himalayan foothills.
Features:
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Exhibiting variations in size and appearance,
Leopard Cats typically have pale tawny, yellow, red, or grey fur above, with
white underparts and spotted patterns.
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They often have four black stripes running down from the forehead to the nape,
breaking into short bands and elongate spots on the shoulders.
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Their body length ranges from 45 to 75 cm (18 to 30
inches), excluding the 23–35-cm (9–13.8-inch) tail.
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They are solitary,
nocturnal carnivores.
Conservation Status:
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IUCN Status - Least Concern