Asian Leopard Cat

(Prionailurus Bengalensis)

The Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) is a small wild cat of Southeastern Asia.  Known to inhabit over 21 countries it is distributed as far north as North Korea and the Amur basin and as far south as Bali.  Its range extends towards Pakistan through northern India, the southern Himalaya, Bangladesh, Burma, and Indo-China. They are found on the Philippines, Borneo and Java and several island near Japan. 

Generally speaking the leopard cat is a little larger than a big domestic cat and has a base fur colour that ranges from yellow/brown to gray/brown.  Leopard Cats, depending on the subspecies, are covered with medium to large dark brown to black spots and/or rosettes which often come together and form larger patterns of stripes and blotches especially along the top of the back. The chest and the lower part of the head are white.

They Inhabit almost any type of habitat from tropical forest to arid scrub, especially near water. They are tolerant of human activity, often being found close to villages.  It is a nocturnal animal, and usually eats rodents, birds, fish, reptiles and small mammals.