Wild African cats: description of appearance and character

Black-footed cat: description

African wild cats are not cute furry cats from cartoons. They are capable of terrifying even people, let alone small animals. One of the wild inhabitants of Africa is the African black-footed cat. A cute, cute animal lives in deserts and looks like a pet, although, unlike the latter, it has a far from peaceful disposition and tries very hard not to catch the eye of a person. Yes, the creature's appearance is very deceptive. The African black-footed cat is not a harmless creature, but a very dangerous and brave predator. The Aborigines are afraid of the beast and have long made up legends about it. It is worth noting that the cat is the smallest representative of wild cats. It is also called the ant tiger. This nickname speaks for itself.

Links[edit]

1. ^ abcd Yamaguchi, N.; Kitchener, A.; Driscoll, K., & Nussberger, B. (2015). "Felis silvestris" IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
   .
   2015
   : e.T60354712A50652361. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
2. ^ a b Kitchener, AC; Breitenmoser-Würsten, C.; Eizirik, E.; Gentry, A.; Werdelin, L.; Wilting, A.; Yamaguchi, N.; Abramov, A.V.; Christiansen, P.; Driscoll, C.; Duckworth, J. W.; Johnson, W.; Luo, S.-J.; Meijaard, E.; O'Donoghue, P.; Sanderson, J.; Seymour, K.; Bruford, M.; Groves, C.; Hoffmann, M.; Nowell, K.; Timmons, Z.; Tobe, S. (2017). "Revised Taxonomy of Felids: Final Report of the IUCN Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group" (PDF). Cat News
   (Special Issue 11): 17-20.
3. Vinh, J.D.; Guilaine, J.; Debue, K.; Hay, L., & Gerard, P. (2004). "Early domestication of the cat in Cyprus". The science
   .
   304
   (5668): 259. DOI: 10.1126/science.1095335. PMID 15073370. S2CID 28294367.
4. ^ abc Driscoll, California; Menotti-Raymond, M.; Roca, A.L.; Hupe, K.; Johnson, WE; Geffen, E.; Harley, E. H.; Delibes, M.; Pontier, D.; Kitchener, A.C.; Yamaguchi, N.; O'Brien, S. J., & McDonald, D. W. (2007). "Middle Eastern origins of cat domestication". The science
   .
   317
   (5837):519–523. Bibcode: 2007Sci…317..519D. DOI: 10.1126/science.1139518. PMC 5612713. PMID 17600185.
5. ^ abc Kingdon, J. (1988). "Wild cat (Felis sylvestris)". East African Mammals: An Atlas of Evolution in Africa, Volume 3, Part A: Carnivores
   . University of Chicago Press. pp. 312−317. ISBN 978-0-226-43721-7.
6. Forster, G. R. (1780). “LIII. Der Karakal". Herrn von Büffons Naturgeschichte der vierfüssigen Thiere. Mit Vermehrungen, aus dem Französischen übersetzt. Sechster Band
   [
   Natural history of the quadrupeds of Mr. von Buffon. With additions translated from French. Volume 6
   ]. Berlin: Joachim Pauli. pp. 299–319.
7. Jump up
   ↑ Gmelin, J. G. (1791).
   "Anmerkungen zu James Bruce Reise nach Abyssinien." Anhang zu James Bruce Reisen in das Innere von Africa, nach Abyssinien an die Quellen des Nils
   [
   Appendix to the travels of James Bruce in the interior of Africa, in Abyssinia to the sources of the Nile
   ]. Rinteln, Leipzig: Expedition der Theologischen Annalen, Johann Ambrosius Barth. pp. 1–38.
8. Desmarest, A. G. (1822). "LXIII. Chat, felis." Mammalogie or description des espèces de mammifères. Second party
   . Paris: Agasse. pp. 540–541.
9. ^ abc Schwann, H. (1904). "On Felis ocreata, better known as Felis caligata, and its subspecies". Annals and Journal of Natural History; Zoology, Botany and Geology
   .
   Episode 7. 13
   (74): 421–426. DOI: 10.1080/00222930408562473.
10. Jump up
    ↑ Cabrera, A. (1906).
    "Mamiferos de Mogador". Boletín de la Sociedad Española de Historia Natural
    .
    6
    : 357-368.
11. Heller, E. (1913). "New antelopes and predators from British East Africa". Miscellaneous Collections of the Smithsonian Institution
    .
    61
    (13): 1–15.
12. Cheeseman, R. E. (1920). "Report on the Mammals of Mesopotamia". Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society
    .
    27
    (2): 323–346.
13. Thomas O.; Hinton MAC (1921). "Captain Angus Buchanan's Expedition to Air. II. About mammals (except ruminants) obtained during the expedition to Air (Asben)". Novitates Zoologicae
    .
    28
    (1): 1–13.
14. Jump up ↑
    Thomas, O. (1926).
    "Some New African Mammals". Annals and Journal of Natural Science
    .
    Episode nine. 17
    (97): 180–184. DOI: 10.1080/00222932608633388.
15. Pocock, R.I. (1944). "Wildcat ( Felis lybica
    ) of Northern Benghella, Angola."
    Annals and Journal of Natural Science
    .
    Series 11. 11
    (74): 130–133. DOI: 10.1080/00222934408527412.
16. Pocock, R.I. (1944). "Wildcat ( Felis lybica
    ) of Palestine."
    Annals and Journal of Natural Science
    .
    Series 11. 11
    (74): 125–130. DOI: 10.1080/00222934408527411.
17. ^ ab Pocock, R.I. (1944). "Races of the North African Wild Cat". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London
    .
    114
    (1–2): 65–73. DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.1944.tb00212.x.
18. Harrison, D. L. (1968). " Felis silvestris gordoni
    ".
    Mammals of Arabia: Carnivora, Hyracoidea, Artiodactyla. Volume 2
    . London: Ernest Benn Ltd., p. 283.
19. ^ a b c d Johnson, WE; Eizirik, E.; Pecon-Slattery, J.; Murphy, W.J.; Antunes, A.; Teeling, E. & O'Brien, S. J. (2006). "Late Miocene radiation of modern Felidae: a genetic assessment". The science
    .
    311
    (5757):73–77. Bibcode: 2006Sci…311…73J. DOI: 10.1126/science.1122277. PMID 16400146. S2CID 41672825.
20. ^ abc Werdelin, L.; Yamaguchi, N.; Johnson, W.E. & O'Brien, S. J. (2010). "Phylogeny and evolution of cats (Felidae)". In Macdonald, D. W. & Loveridge, A. J. (eds.). Biology and Conservation of Wild Felids
    . Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. pp. 59–82. ISBN 978-0-19-923445-5.
21. ^ abcd Li, G.; Davis, B. W.; Eizirik, E., & Murphy, W. J. (2016). "Phylogenomic evidence for ancient hybridization in the genomes of living cats (Felidae)". Genomic Research
    .
    26
    (1): 1–11. DOI: 10.1101/gr.186668.114. PMC 4691742. PMID 26518481.
22. Ottoni, C.; Van Neer, W.; De Cupere, B.; Daligault, J.; Guimaraes, S.; Peters, J.; Spasov, N.; Prendergast, M.E.; Boivin, N.; Morales-Muñiz, A.; Balasescu, A.; Becker, C.; Benecke, N.; Boroneant, A.; Buitenhuis, H.; Chahoud, J.; Crowther, A.; Llorente, L.; Manaseryan, N.; Monchot, H.; Onar, V.; Osipinskaya, M.; Putelat, O.; Quintana Morales, EM; Studer, J.; Wierer, U.; Decorte, R.; Grange, T.; Geigl, E. (2017). "Paleogenetics of cat dispersal in the ancient world." Nature, ecology and evolution
    .
    1
    (7):0139. DOI:10.1038/s41559-017-0139.
23. ^ ab Hufnagl, E.; Craig-Bennett, A. (1972). "African wild cat." Libyan mammals
    . Cambridge, UK: Oleander Press. paragraph 42. ISBN 9780902675087.
24. ^ ab Rosevear, D. R. (1974). "Felis lybica Forster". Carnivores of West Africa
    . London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). pp. 384−395. ISBN 978-0565007232.
25. ^ ab Pocock, R.I. (1951). "Felis lybica, Forster". Catalog of the genus Felis
    . London: Trustees of the British Museum. pp. 50−133.
26. Al-Safadi, MM; Nader, I.A. (1990). "First record of a wild cat, Felis silvestris
    Schreber, 1777 from the Yemen Arab Republic (Carnivora: Felidae)."
    Mammalia
    .
    54
    (4):621–626. DOI: 10.1515/mamm.1990.54.4.621. S2CID 86461554.
27. Nowell, K.; Jackson, P. (1996). "African wildcat Felis silvestris, group lybica (Forster, 1770)". Wildcats: A Status Review and Conservation Action Plan. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group. pp. 32-35. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2006.
28. ^ abc Gippoliti, S. & Amaury, G. (2006). "Ancient introductions of mammals in the Mediterranean Basin and their implications for conservation". Review of Mammals
    .
    36
    (1): 37–48. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2907.2006.00081.x.
29. Vigne, J.-D. (1992). "Zooarchaeology and biogeographical history of mammals of Corsica and Sardinia since the last Ice Age" (PDF). Review of Mammals
    .
    22
    (2): 87–96. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2907.1992.tb00124.x.
30. Mattucci, F.; Oliveira, R.; Bizzarri, L.; Vercillo, F.; Anile, S.; Ragni, B.; Lapini, L.; Sforzi, A.; Alves, PC; Lyons, L.A. & Randy, E. (2013). "Genetic structure of wild cat (Felis silvestris) populations in Italy". Ecology and evolution
    .
    3
    (8):2443–2458. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.569.
31. Dragesco-Joffe, A. (1993). "African wild cat, ancestor of the domestic cat." La vie sauvage du Sahara
    . Lausanne: Delachau and Nistle. pp. 134−136.
32. ^ ab Smithers, R. H. N. (1971). Mammals of Botswana
    . South Africa: University of Pretoria.
33. Jump up
    ↑ Estes, R. D. (1999). Safari Companion. Books by Russell Friedman. ISBN 978-1-890132-44-6.
34. Herbst, M.; Mills, M. G. L. (2010). "Feeding of the South African wildcat, a facultative trophic specialist, in the southern Kalahari (Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa/Botswana)." Journal of Zoology
    .
    280
    (4):403-413. DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2009.00679.x.
35. "African Wildcat". Alley Cat Rescue
    . Retrieved September 23, 2022.
36. BBC Earth. “A wild cat born of a domestic cat! - Creation of baby animals".
37. "Libyan stamps online". Archived from the original on 2012-02-17. Retrieved April 12, 2009.

Range of miniature predators

African wild cats live in the desert regions of South Africa. The animals have chosen a number of countries: Botswana, Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Scientists distinguish two varieties of black-footed cats. The more numerous of them are light in color and live in Namibia. The second group is much smaller in number and its representatives live in Botswana.

In a number of countries, rare wild cats are protected and hunting them is prohibited. Thus, Botswana and South Africa are concerned about preserving the population. In these countries, work is underway to combat poachers. In addition, animals often die from dog attacks and under the wheels of cars. Human activity also has a negative impact on the population size.

Economic significance for humans

Positive

African servals are traded as exotic pets. The famous Savannah cat breed (with patterns - spots, lines, stripes, dots, and usually along with a mark resembling the letter 'M') is a hybrid of a domestic cat and a serval. The skins of bush cats are considered a valuable product and are used to make capes for tribal leaders. Servals may also contribute to the ecotourism that is developing in Tanzania, where the species is native.

Negative

Bush cats have become accustomed to people and vehicles through tourism, agriculture, and relocation. In rare cases, they prey on dogs and birds.

Description of the species

The weight of a black-footed cat ranges from 1.5 kg. And the average body length is 10-20 cm. The wild African cat has a stocky, strong body, a large round head and expressive eyes that flicker in the dark with a bright blue light. Animals see well at night. In addition, their hearing and sense of smell are highly developed.

The ant tiger's appearance is very deceiving. At first glance, it looks like a domestic pussycat, but in fact it is a fierce African predator. The color of the animal's fur can vary from light yellow to red-brown. The cat's color is complemented by a pattern of black spots, which sometimes merge into stripes. This camouflage coloring camouflages the predator well, making it invisible to enemies and prey. Dense fur on the paw pads reliably protects cats from the hot desert sand.

Interesting Facts

The black-footed cat has an unofficial name - ant tiger. Ant because these small predators often occupy abandoned termite mounds, and the tiger because of its coloring and ferocious disposition. In addition to termite mounds, black-footed cats inhabit rabbit and porcupine burrows left by previous inhabitants.

Wild rabbit: where they live in the wild in Russia

These animals are very active and hardy. During the night of hunting, an ant tiger can travel more than 16 km.

Another interesting fact is that the ant tiger's eyes glow blue or turquoise in the dark, while most cats' eyes glow green or yellow.

Black-footed cats are successful hunters. 60% of their attacks are successful. For comparison: a lion has only 25% of such successful attacks.

The African cat buries excess food and, if it is unable to catch fresh prey, returns to them. But like many desert and steppe animals, it requires very little water. During dry periods, this cat is able to be content only with moisture received with food.

Note! Ant tigers are animals with a loud and not very pleasant voice. At close distances, they communicate with each other using purrs or peculiar sounds reminiscent of gurgling. They can also hiss and growl.

Black-footed cat in the wild

The character of the black-footed cat and his lifestyle

Wild cats do not build shelters for themselves; they settle in ready-made termite mounds or rabbit holes. Predators also willingly settle in the burrows of other animals, such as porcupines, after expelling their previous owners. In such secluded places, cats sit out during the daytime. And at dusk they go hunting. Predators can travel up to ten kilometers a day in search of prey. Cats tolerate drought and heat well. They can remain without food and water for a long time.

The animal patiently tracks its prey, moving quietly and silently. The predator's attack is swift and sudden. Cats live and hunt only on the ground, since their short legs do not allow them to climb trees.

The hunting grounds of one animal reach 15 square meters. km. But females control three times less land area. Each cat marks the boundaries of its territory and jealously guards it from strangers.

Features of care

Black-footed cats require a large and spacious room. In warm latitudes, a mesh enclosure is installed in the open air. To prevent the cat from escaping, the enclosure must have a mesh roof. Fine gravel or sand is poured onto the ground; the ant tiger loves to dig. The thickness of the bulk layer should be 15-20 cm.

The enclosure needs a house where the animal can retire (for example, a hollow log, a cave made of stones, etc.). These items should be placed at different levels, one high enough for the cat to see the surroundings. You definitely need objects that you can climb on. This will provide the animal with the necessary physical activity.

Black-footed cats should sleep for 12-14 hours. Just during their daytime sleep, the enclosure is cleaned, then the miniature predator is the least aggressive.

An examination by a veterinarian twice a year is required.

Important! A specific disease of the black-footed cat, which claims the lives of both adults and cubs, is type AA amyloidosis, i.e. the deposition of a dangerous amyloid protein in the body tissues. The disease is incurable. Currently, the reason for such frequent manifestations of amyloidosis in black-footed cats is not fully understood.

The following can act as a catalyst:

• stress;
• exposure to sunlight (after all, in nature, cats do not come out of their shelter during the day unless absolutely necessary);
• genetic predisposition;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• wrong diet.

Steppe cat

The African continent is inhabited by numerous predators, including many representatives of the cat family. One of them is the steppe cat. The wild beauty looks like a pet, but is larger in size. Such animals live not only in Africa, but also in Asia and the Mediterranean islands. Very often, predators are called African wild cats.

They live in deserts overgrown with saxaul, on sandy and clay plains with lakes. Sometimes animals are found in the foothills near water bodies. Very often predators can be seen near human habitation. They prefer to settle in places where there is easy access to food and food.

Diseases

Animals of this species have good health and very strong immunity. With proper care, Serval cats practically do not get sick.

Servals can suffer from diarrhea, which not only makes the animal uncomfortable, but can also lead to dehydration. If you notice loose stools in your pet more than twice in a row, immediately contact your veterinarian.

Serval kittens can experience fractures. This happens because their paws grow very quickly, and their bones are very fragile. Make sure that the kitten does not jump from great heights. If an accident does happen, see a doctor as soon as possible!

In any case, if you notice something wrong in the behavior of your pet, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible to avoid disastrous consequences.

What does a steppe predator look like?

The body length of the steppe cat is 63-70 centimeters, and the tail is 23-33 centimeters. On average, animals weigh from 3 to 8 kilograms. Females are larger in size and have greater body weight compared to males.

Predators are armed with powerful retractable claws. A long tail and large ears are a feature of the animal. Cats have strong jaws with large incisors.

In winter, the steppe cat has a sandy or grayish-yellow color. There are black spots on the sides of the animal, and black rings on the tail. The fur in the throat and belly area is white.

Australian smoke

Animals of such breeds appeared in Australia by crossing the Abyssinian and Burmese breeds. The coat color consists of several shades, it can be peach, lilac and even blue. The eyes are almond-shaped and the coat is short. They only have green eyes. The body is medium in size and the neck is small. The ears are large, gradually tapering, and slightly curled at the edges.

“Spotted cats are perfect for families with small children. When they play with children, they don’t use their claws, their character is sincere and calm.”

Spotted cat breeds are very intelligent creatures and can make wonderful company for their owner. They are not capricious and are easy to learn at home. In order for your pet to love you and treat you well, it is enough to surround him with love and try to forgive him his little pranks.

Spotted cats are simply magnificent, they are one hundred percent suitable for keeping in the house. If you treat them well, they will reciprocate your feelings.

Diet

When darkness falls, cats go out hunting. Animals are interested in rodents as prey. Predators are excellent at climbing trees, so they get to bird nests, which gives them the opportunity to feast on eggs. During hot periods they feed on insects and even lizards.

During the hunt, the animal sneaks up on the prey and quickly attacks. Predators can watch their prey for hours. Steppe cats are good swimmers, so their diet sometimes includes muskrats and amphibians. In very rare cases they manage to catch a bustard or a hare.

Steppe cats are very clean. They go hunting only after they have washed their fur coat. In this way, they rid the fur of odors that can scare away prey.

The main enemies of cats are ordinary dogs.

Petersburg Sphinx

For this miracle of nature, cat lovers should thank Russian breeders. It was they who managed to obtain such unique beauty in 1994. For a long time they crossed Oriental cats and Don Sphynxes.

There is virtually no hair on the body of these cats or only small, barely noticeable hairs. This rare cat exudes elegance from all sides, expressed in a slender build, an elongated head and impressively sized ears set to the sides.

Pets are not lacking in friendliness, curiosity, and affection. Communication with a person comes first for them; cats find it difficult without him. Pronounced mental abilities and excellent communication skills help cats learn easily and quickly. The cost of these beautiful creatures varies between 300-1300 dollars.

Wild serval

Another representative of the cat family is the wild African serval. These animals are genetically close to the wild golden cat. But in appearance and color they are more reminiscent of a cheetah. Servals live in the mountainous regions of Kenya. Black animals are sometimes found in nature.

Predators prefer to live in savannas south of the Sahara Desert. But they can also be found in mountainous areas. But servals try to avoid deserts because they need sources of water. But at the same time, animals do not like tropical rainforests.

Servals are hunted by larger predators, but their population is large, and therefore they are not classified as rare or endangered species.

Life in captivity

Zoos around the world contain several dozen individuals of this species. According to experts, black-footed cats are of much more scientific than exhibition value - they are quite unsociable and almost never show themselves to visitors during the day, leaving their hiding places only at night.

Video: wild African cat in the zoo

Content Features

Despite the fact that the species is rightfully considered rare, keeping its representatives in captivity is not particularly difficult. The African cat has good health and high resistance to diseases. It is unpretentious in nutrition and does not require overly spacious, specially equipped enclosures. The lifespan of a predator in a zoo can reach fifteen years.

This species is very rare not only in the wild, but also in zoos

When normal conditions are created and proper care is provided, black-footed cats reproduce well in captivity, but the litters are small - one or two kittens. It is advisable to reliably isolate a pregnant female from external stimuli, otherwise she will become overly nervous and may abandon newborn babies, who will have to be artificially fed.

Zoologists are considering the possibilities of reproducing a rare species in captivity using the most advanced scientific techniques. In 2011, the Endangered Species Research Center (USA) carried out a successful experiment that had been prepared for seven years - it used frozen embryos and the method of artificial insemination. Two spotted brothers were born “from a test tube” by a surrogate mother - a black-footed cat named Bijou.

“Test Tube Brothers” was born and raised by a surrogate mother

As for taming an animal, any attempts to domesticate a wild cat are doomed to failure - the genetics of a predator are too strong in it. For this reason, the black-footed cat is very rarely kept in private zoos, which is more likely to benefit it than to harm it.

Serval lifestyle

Animals are nocturnal predators. Most of the serval's prey is small animals (rodents). The diet also includes hyraxes, lizards, hares, insects, snakes and frogs. During the hunt, servals freeze and stand motionless, listening to rustling sounds. Having heard prey, cats quickly attack it. In the process of chasing rodents, animals are able to dig holes and also climb trees. Servals can jump up to 3.6 meters in length. Cats jump no less quickly in height. They shoot down birds in mid-flight, jumping three meters. The animals have long legs, which allows them to reach speeds of up to 80 km/h. Thanks to this, servals can hunt antelope, deer and gazelles. Experts say that these wild cats are excellent hunters, because in 50% of cases they return with prey.

Servals live alone. Representatives of the stronger sex control a territory of up to 30 km. sq. Females are not so active. Their territory does not exceed 20 km. sq.

Health

Servals usually do not have health problems if the owner takes a responsible approach to keeping the pet. First of all, this is a balanced diet adapted to the needs of a wild predator, timely vaccination and treatment against helminths, as well as systematic observation by a specialist. Even before purchasing a kitten, you should take the trouble to find a veterinarian who works with such exotic animals and understands their specifics.

While the kitten is still small and not fully formed, monitor its movements and make sure that the jumping cat does not harm its still weak paws. In young individuals, the limbs are still quite fragile and the likelihood of injury increases.

Appearance of the animal

Adult servals reach 90-135 cm in length and 65 cm in height. The main distinguishing feature of the animal is a small head and a rather short tail against the background of a large body. Externally, the predator vaguely resembles a lynx or caracal. But his coloring is the same as that of a cheetah. The muzzle, chest and belly of the predators are white, and the large ears are black on the outside and covered with white and yellow spots. It was the beautiful coloring of the coat that became the main reason for the domestication of these animals. An interesting fact is that the color of servals living in different regions of Africa is different.

Determining the breed

Only an experienced specialist can accurately determine the breed of a cat. But every owner, when purchasing a cat, wants to be sure that he will not be deceived. And they won’t slip a half-breed instead of a purebred animal. Or, having a mustachioed pet, he wants to check whether his cat has the characteristics of any breed. Outbred cats are similar to each other. But if the animal has distinctive features: unusual color, eye color, ear shape, tail structure. It is quite possible that it could not have happened without a purebred parent. Each breed has its own distinctive characteristics. The breed can be determined by the following:

• by appearance;
• according to body size;
• head;
• eyes;
• unique features;
• wool;
• coat color;
• unusual body structure;
• the nature.

Cheetahs

Cheetahs are another member of the cat family. Animals are considered the fastest on the planet, as they reach speeds of about 112 kilometers per hour.

Cheetahs are incredibly graceful because they have a slender and elongated body. Outwardly they look fragile, but do not be mistaken. The animals are very strong and resilient, thanks to their well-developed muscles. Their legs are long and thin. Cheetahs have a small head with rounded ears. The body length of animals reaches 1.5 meters. Predators sometimes grow up to a meter in height. The weight of cats is 40-70 kg.

Unlike other members of the cat family, cheetahs are diurnal predators. They are active during daylight hours. They go hunting early in the morning, before the heat sets in, or in the evening. Predators track prey visually and not by smell, so they rest at night.

Nutrition

The serval's diet consists of 93.5% small mammals (rats, mice and shrews) and 5% birds, insects, frogs, lizards, and very rarely carrion. The hunting success rate is 48%, which is higher than other members of the cat family. This efficiency rate was observed in reintroduced and wild servals. Hunting in the early morning has a lower success rate than hunting in the evening.

At the beginning of the hunt, the serval carefully scans the area. The ideal place is one that is located along a road or path, where there is good audibility from all sides. Servals stop periodically and remain motionless for about 15 minutes. If potential prey is spotted, they perk up their ears and rotate them to pinpoint the location of the prey. Once the location of the prey has been established, the cat stalks forward. The serval pounces on prey from a distance of 1 to 4 m, and its forelimbs land on top of the prey. If a predator heard prey underground, it will dig into the ground and use its scent to get to it. Bush cats have a harder time catching birds and insects. They can jump higher than 1.5 m above the ground and catch small flamingos, spoonbills, ducks and other waterfowl. These animals pluck their prey before consuming it.

Kittens and sometimes adult servals “play” with food if they do not kill their prey outright. They toss rats, mice and birds into the air before catching them again and biting them. The prey is usually eaten in the place where it was caught or on the side of the trail when the surroundings are calm.

Fishing cats

In nature, there are fishing cats, which also belong to the cat family. Very often they are mistakenly classified as African wild cats. In fact, fishing cats are Asian animals that live in southeast Asia, India, Indochina, Ceylon and Sumatra.

Animals live in tropical and subtropical regions. They usually settle near lakes and reservoirs where they can find food. The civet cat looks like its African counterparts. However, not only in appearance - he is also a predator.

Long-tailed or margay

Margay

Habitat: northern South America - up to Mexico. Found in Texas. Margal is a tree cat. The long-tailed one is called that because it has a long tail, which allows the margay to balance when climbing thin branches.

The length of the margay is 90-120 cm, almost half of which is the tail. Weighs 2.5 – 4 kg. Limbs are long. A unique ability of margays is that they can turn their hind legs 180. Being ideal tree climbers, margays can hang on branches, clinging to it with one leg. The auditory organs are rounded, darkish on the outside and with a white spot in the middle. The eyes are large, like all nocturnal animals. Color – dark brown. The pupils are oval.

The spots are uneven in color intensity: darker towards the edges.

Hunts small mammals living on branches, birds, lizards, frogs, insects. Even small monkeys become prey for the margay.

How is a wolf different from a dog?

The wolf is distinguished by stronger and higher legs, large paws, and an elongated head. The forehead and muzzle are wider, with a lot of fur on the sides. In general, the muzzle is much more expressive. For example, scientists were able to identify approximately 10 emotions that a wolf expresses.

The tail of a predator is thicker and longer. He doesn't have the habit of wagging his tail like dogs do. A lowered tail indicates the calmness of the animal, and a twitching tail indicates dissatisfaction.

Wolf and dog

Wolves have thicker, coarser, and denser fur. It consists of undercoat and coarse hair. Therefore, the predator is reliably protected from cold, water, and dirt. As the weather gets warmer, wolves gradually shed their winter fur, and some may change color.

Another distinguishing feature is footprints. The wolf leaves larger prints (8.5-11 cm) than the dog. The two middle fingers stick out more forward, and the side ones are set back. The tracks look more crowded. Predators try to stay further away from people and their homes, while dogs, on the contrary, come closer.

Trail of a dog and a wolf