Marbled Cat

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iMarbled Cat

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Family:	Felidae
Genus:	Pardofelis
Species:	P. marmorata

Binomial name

Pardofelis marmorata
Martin, 1837

The Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata) is similar in size to the Domestic Cat, with a longer, more thickly furred tail, an indicator of an arboreal life-style, where the tail is used as a counterbalance. Its pattern is blotched and banded like a marble, usually compared to the markings of the much larger Clouded Leopard. In colour, the base fur ranges from pale yellow through to brownish grey with lighter under parts being a lighter variation. Despite its small size Pardofelis is a member of the Pantherinae subfamily.

It has two generally recognised subspecies, P. marmorata marmorata and P. m. charltoni.

The range of the Marbled Cat extends from Assam in northeast India, with a subspecies, Pardofelis marmoratus charltoni, in Nepal, through southeast Asia including Borneo and Sumatra, which have been linked to the mainland of Asia during the Pleistocene ice ages. It is probable that the forest canopies provide the Marbled Cat with much of its prey: birds, squirrels and rodents and reptiles; there are reports that the cat also hunts on the ground in parts of its range. It is rarely sighted in its densely forested habitat, and little studied or understood. Its population is unknown. Its forested habitats have been shrinking, accounting for its vulnerable listing in IUCN.

No Marbled Cats are known to be in captivity. (Although some might be seen in Asian zoos like Singapore or Saigon, as well as some other medium cats identified as Felis Temmincki - This info should be checked)

[edit] References

Cat Specialist Group (2002). Pardofelis marmorata. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is vulnerable