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General Information
Also called 'Fire Cat' throughout parts of Asia and "Rock Cat' in some parts of China, It is a forest and dense bushland dwelling cat which preys on birds, lizards and small mammals. Its pelt colour comes in a variety of hues from gold to red to grey to black. Its white underbelly may be plain, striped or spotted. The face has characteristic markings in lighter and darker hues.
Habitat
Range : South east Asia from Nepal to Burma, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra.
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Feeding and Breeding
Other than the fact that their young may be found in the hollow of trees, nothing is known about the social behaviour of these elusive cats. The golden cat hunts mainly large rodents, mouse deer, small deer, reptiles, birds and amphibians.
Conservation
Because they occasionally prey on domestic poultry and livestock, they are persecuted as pests by farmers. They are intolerant of human interference and are endangered by continual and uncontrolled destruction of the Southeast Asian forest. The golden cat is thought to be under threat in much of its range from deforestation and loss of habitat and this coupled with the pressures of hunting for its pelt has led the cat to be listed in CITES Appendix 1.
Interesting Facts
In Asian mythology, a single Asian Golden cat's hair can protect the bearer from tigers. To rid an entire village of tigers, a whole pelt must be burnt. Some Thai natives believe that cooking and consuming the cat, fur and all will protect themselves from all forms of animal attack. This belief further endangers the population of these cats.
Insight
The Asian Golden Cat Exhibit is the latest addition to the Leopard Trail . The new inhabitant is a robust male which spots a uniform golden brown pelt with characteristic facial markings. It is believed to be about 12 years of age.
Bibliography
From
Wild Cats of the World by Babara Sleeper; Crown Publishers, Inc, 1995
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