To say the Marbled Cat of Southeast Asia is mysterious would be an understatement. In fact, everything we know about the Marbled Cat comes from one study of a single female Marbled Cat in Thailand. That’s why the videos recently taken by a series of trap cameras in China are so important to our understanding of the species.
There are estimated to be more than 10,000 Marbled Cats living in the wild, and in China they are considered critically endangered. Known by their scientific name Pardofelis marmorata, this is one of only two species of cat that can turn its feet backwards, allowing it to be more agile in the trees. Their tails also point straight back behind them to help keep balance while climbing. It is likely that they eat birds, though much is still not known about the Marbled Cat.
The new video shows that these house-cat-sized felines do walk on the forest floor to get around, and they also spray to mark their territory like other cat species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature says that the Marbled Cat’s population is likely going down due to forest loss from agriculture and palm oil plantations. Hopefully more videos like the one that was captured will help scientists learn more about this species and how to protect it.
The Marbled Cat isn’t the only interesting elusive cat in the wild. Check out the 10 rarest cat species in the world.
What is your favorite rare cat species? How do you think we should protect the habitats of endangered felines like these? Let us know in the comments below!
Rarest Cats In The World
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Pallas Cat
Known for being one of the most expressive cats in the world, the Pallas Cat is also one of the rarest. It lives on the mountain steppes of Central Asia, and there are not many in captivity. They don't tend to do well when removed from their cold natural habitat because their immune systems are not exposed to many viruses in the frigid temperatures, so they often get sick in warmer regions. That is why it is important to protect them in their natural habitat.
(Picture Credit: Getty Images)
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Fishing Cat
The Fishing Cat of South and Southeast Asia is recognized by the "chuckling" sound it makes. They're very comfortable in the water and mostly eat fish, though their wetland habitats are threatened by pollution and destruction for agricultural purposes. They grow to about twice the size of an average house cat.
(Picture Credit: Getty Images)
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Sand Cat
The Sand Cat has thick fur on its feet to help endure the harsh cold and hot temperatures of its desert habitats in North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. They make a high-pitched barking sound, especially when looking for a mate. Though it is rare to spot one, the Sand Cat has been removed from the Near Threatened list after the global population passed the Near Threatened threshold.
(Picture Credit: Getty Images)
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Margay
The Margay lives in Central and South America, and it is a Near Threatened species due to deforestation. They spend their lives in the trees hunting birds and monkeys, and they're very good climbers. In fact, they're one of the only cat species that can climb down trees head first.
(Picture Credit: Getty Images)
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Caracal
The Caracal lives in Africa, the Middle East, India, and Central Asia. It can jump about 10 feet into the air to catch birds as they fly by, and they were actually tamed and used for hunting in Egypt before the 2oth century. They are mostly nocturnal and very secretive, so observing them is especially difficult.
(Picture Credit: Getty Images)
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Jaguarundi
The Jaguarundi is native to South America and the southern part of North America. They have also been sighted in Florida, though they are not native to that area. That's because one writer in the state imported several of them and released them near his home. They are usually found in dense, tropical areas, but their habitats are gradually being destroyed by human activity.
(Picture Credit: Getty Images)
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Borneo Bay Cat
The Borneo Bay Cat is, of course, from the island of Borneo. It is Endangered with less than 2,500 in the wild. The Borneo Bay Cat's habitat is threatened by deforestation, but the population is also threatened by trappers who know that foreign zoos and breeding facilities will pay a lot of money for a living specimen.
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Flat-Headed Cat
The Flat-Headed Cat is native to the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Borneo, and Sumatra, and is Endangered due to the destruction of wetlands in its habitat. There are fewer than 10 living in captivity. They are known to make sounds similar to domestic cats and will even purr. Although they aren't usually hunted for their fur, they are often killed by traps set out to protect domestic fowl.
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Andean Mountain Cat
The Andean Mountain Cat is at home in the high Andes where less than 2,500 live in the wild. The populations have been fragmented by human settlements, and they are often hunted for fur and because of local superstitions. Their habitat is degrading, their food sources are dwindling, and they are being exposed to new diseases. All countries where this cat lives have enacted laws protecting their Endangered population.
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Pampas Cat
The Pampas Cat is native to Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador and is a Near Threatened species. They come in three different types of coats, and each of these coats is specific to a certain region, so some scientists believe they represent three distinct species. More research is planned to find out about the genetic differences. They are mostly endangered by habitat destruction, but their natural prey populations have also been reduced, making it harder for them to find food.
(Picture Credit: Getty Images)
