Black-footed cat: description, lifestyle and reproduction

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The black-footed cat is one of those predators that are still poorly understood. Its Latin specific name is Felis nigripes. The cat's habitat is limited to some states in southern Africa. These include South Africa, Namibia, part of Angola and Zimbabwe. The habitat of the animal in Botswana remains in question. They used to live there, but there is no modern evidence of this.

Little Predator

The black-footed cat is the smallest predator of the cat family on the African continent. The species got its name due to 4 black stripes on the soles of the paws of these animals. In winter, the color of individuals becomes paler. A sexually mature male is no longer than 50 cm, and a female is 40 cm. The size of the tail is from 8 to 20 cm. The weight of an adult is from 1.5 to 2.5 kg. There are only two cats in the world that are comparable in size to the Blackfoot (Chilean and Rusty).

Many legends are composed about the nature of this predator. Some Bushmen tribes are sure that the animal can kill a giraffe. There are many exaggerations in the legends, but observations show that kittens from birth show a hunting disposition. There are witnesses of how a wild black-footed cat waited a long time in ambush atsitting on the nest of an ostrich that weighed 80 kg. A moment before the predator jumped, the bird got up and ran away. One of her feet was bigger than a cat.

How the black-footed cat hunts

The black-footed cat (the photo shows this) has a protective color and prefers the dark time of the day for hunting. So it is easier for her to get away from enemies and quietly sneak up on prey. The ears are rounded and large in size for better perception of quiet and distant sounds. Predator eyes are adapted to night hunting. The tapetum is a special layer penetrated by vessels, which is located behind the retina. It reflects light, allowing the cat to see perfectly in the dark. Vision improves, and the effect of blue eyes glowing in the dark is created.

The black-footed cat is popularly called the "ant tiger". Such fame came due to the predator's habit of living in empty termite mounds and burrows of other animals. One can only envy their desire for hunting. During the night, cats are able to overcome about 16 km, searching for a future victim (small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects). During this time, she makes many jumps for prey with an interval of about 30 minutes. More than 60% of them end badly for production.

Hunting excitement

The black-footed cat does not know fear during the hunt and confidently attacks the prey, which is twice its size. Among the victims may even be a hare or a black bustard. If the prey cannot be eaten at once, then the remains are dragged into the hole, wherethe predator will return later. The ability of a cat to survive in the harsh conditions of the desert is admirable.

Predator, along with other inhabitants of this area, has the ability to not drink for a long time. At this time, moisture enters the body only from the meat of the victims eaten. Not every desert predator is able to hunt 54 species of animals. The "ant tiger" likes to dig into the found remains.

Reproduction

Cats live apart all the time, except during the breeding season. The territory of males is from 12 to 15 km2. It has intersections with the areas of females. Controlled areas are carefully marked. Predators meet only for mating, after which they part. Males do not participate in raising kittens. The black-footed cat bears offspring for 63-68 days. Kittens are born pink. They are practically hairless, coming out one or two at a time.

Completely woolen cover grows in kittens only at the age of 6 weeks, until this period they feed on mother's milk. In the middle of this period, the animals begin to explore the surroundings. When a dangerous situation arises, they do not run home, but scatter and hide in the first shelter that comes across. The kittens freeze and wait for the moment when their mother will call them.

At the age of 5 weeks, the cubs begin to receive live prey from the female. She does this to provide an opportunity for the younger generation to learn how to hunt and kill victims. By 7-8 weeks, the cubs forage for food on their own.

Endangered

No one specifically hunts for a black-footed cat, but predators die under the influence of poisons and traps set for jackals and other animals. Domestic cattle are overgrazing pastures that are becoming unsuitable for cats. The consequences of this are the most severe - the number of the species is steadily declining.

Registered cases of crossbreeding with domestic cat species. The appearance of hybrids leads to the degeneration of the population. The animal is in the International Red Book.

Artificial reproduction

The black-footed cat feels uncomfortable at home, she needs space. However, in 2011, two kittens were born in New Orleans, who are unaware of their uniqueness. Bijou the cat became their surrogate mother. The male's sperm was first frozen and then sent to New Orleans, where it was combined with a black-footed cat's egg. The result was an embryo that was frozen for 6 years.

The material was thawed and planted with a surrogate mother. The pregnancy lasted 69 days, and as a result, two kittens were born. They became the first members of the species to be born from a frozen embryo. A black-footed cat at home resembles an ordinary one. It is worth remembering that populations in their natural habitat are declining. There are only about 40 individuals in zoos in all countries, 19 of them in the United States of America.