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| Scientific Name: Catopuma badia |
| Size: Head and body 20-23.5 inches
(50-60cm); tail 14-16 inches (35-40cm) |
| Weight: 4.5-6.5 pounds (2-3kg) |
| Distribution: The island of Borneo |
| Habitat: Rocky outcrops and dense
forests |
| Diet: Small mammals, including monkeys
and birds |
| Reproduction: Unknown |
| Status: Endangered |
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Also known as the Bornean Bay Cat
or the Bornean Red Cat, this species is extremely rare and one of the least known
of all wild cats. Everything that is known about this cat is based on a single
specimen collected in 1874, and a few skins collected. There are no descriptions
of live animals and none officially in captivity.
The Bay Cat gets its name from its reddish-brown, chestnut color. |
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The coat is uniformly colored, although slightly paler on the underside, with
some faint spots on the legs and underparts. There are also a few streaks and
dark lines on the face, and the backs of the rounded ears are dark brown. It has
a short, rounded head and resembles a miniature form of the closely related Asian
Golden Cat (Temminck's Cat).
According to one report, the Bay Cat lives in dense jungle, and according to another,
it prefers rocky outcrops on forest borders. The Bay Cat appears to be a ground-dwelling
cat, feeding on a variety of small mammals, including monkeys and birds.
Nothing else has been discovered to date about its lifestyle or numbers, and apparently
the Bay Cat has never been filmed, photographed, or captured alive. Of all the
species of wild cats, the Bay Cat remains the most mysterious and elusive! |
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