African Golden Cat
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Suborder
Family
Subfamily
Genus
SPECIES
Caracal aurata
Population size
Unknown
Life Span
15 years
Weight
5.5-16
12.1-35.2
kglbs
kg lbs 
Height
38-55
15-21.7
cminch
cm inch 
Length
61-101
24-39.8
cminch
cm inch 

The African golden cat (Caracal aurata) remains little known by science, though within Africa there is much tribal superstition about it. It is also called the ‘leopard’s brother’ because, according to local people, it follows the leopard. It is about twice as big as a large domestic cat, is robustly built, and has and large paws and a short tail.

Appearance

The African golden cat has a fur color ranging from chestnut or reddish-brown, greyish brown to dark slaty. Some are spotted, with the spots ranging from faded tan to black in color. In others, the spotting pattern is limited to the belly and inner legs. Its undersides and areas around the eyes, cheeks, chin, and throat are lighter in color to almost white. Its tail is darker on the top and either heavily banded, lightly banded, or plain, ending in a black tip. Cats in the western parts of its range tend to have heavier spotting than those in the eastern region. Two color morphs, a red and a grey phase, were once thought to indicate separate species, rather than color variations of the same species. Grey skins have hairs that are not pigmented in their middle zones, whereas hair of red skins is pigmented intensively red. The hair of melanistic skins is entirely black.

Distribution

Geography

African golden cats live in equatorial Africa, inhabiting areas from western Sierra Leone to central Africa and as far to the east as Kenya. The Congo River serves as a natural geographic barrier that divides the two subspecies. These animals primarily inhabit lowland, in areas of moist forest, but they can also occur along rivers in recently logged forest, and in mountainous regions in alpine moorland and bamboo forest.

African Golden Cat habitat map

Climate zones

African Golden Cat habitat map
African Golden Cat
Public Domain Dedication (CC0)

Habits and Lifestyle

Due to its very reclusive habits, not much is known about the African golden cat’s behavior. It is a solitary animal, and is normally nocturnal or crepuscular, although they have sometimes been seen hunting during the day, according to the availability of prey in the area. In captivity, African golden cats can be seen showing aggressive and threatening behaviors. When threatened their back is kept slightly arched, and the hair on their back and tail stands up. They keep their head lower than their body, usually tilted to the side. Their tail curves in a hook shape and can whip sharply before returning to its original form. When these cats attack, they do it swiftly.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

African golden cats are carnivores, preying on mid-sized mammals including tree hyraxes, smaller forest antelopes, red duikers, and monkeys, and sometimes birds and fish.

Mating Habits

PREGNANCY DURATION
75-78 days
BABY CARRYING
1-2 kittens
INDEPENDENT AGE
6 weeks
FEMALE NAME
queen
MALE NAME
tomcat
BABY NAME
kitten

There is only one recorded viewing of two cats traveling together, and this may suggest a monogamous pair bonding, but more evidence is needed to understand their mating system. Information about the mating of these animals is from captive individuals only. 1 to 2 kittens can be born to 1 mother, occasionally 3. Gestation is for 75 to 78 days. The kittens are born blind, opening their eyes after about a week. When they are about 2 weeks old, they show curiosity about their surroundings and they can climb. Around 6 weeks old, weaning begins. Males are sexually mature at about 6 months old, and females at 11 months.

Population

Population threats

The African golden cat prey populations and habitat are decreasing. The West African moist forests have been degraded heavily and the areas that remain are distributed patchily. ‘Savannization’, which is a process whereby a forest becomes a savanna due to logging and slash-and-burn agriculture, has probably led to fragmentation and population decline. The African golden cat is hunted, with skins regularly appearing in markets. They are also killed when raiding poultry sheds or preying on domestic sheep and goats.

Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the African Golden cat is occasionally observed in the wild, and generally considered rare. There is no estimation of population size available. This species’ numbers are decreasing and currently it is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List.

Ecological niche

African golden cats have an important role as predators of the forest, and prey on a range of animals, thus controlling their populations. They also serve as prey for the leopard, their natural predator.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • African golden cats are closely related to servals and caracals but are the sole member of the Profelis genus.
  • In Cameroon, pygmy tribes carry an African golden cat’s tail when hunting elephants to guarantee good fortune, and their skin is used during circumcision rituals in some areas.
  • African golden cats will often change the color of their fur when in captivity, from red to gray. This transformation happens usually after about 4 months.
  • Although an African golden cat is an agile climber, it hunts on the ground, where it spends the majority of its life.
  • The African golden cat is also known as "the leopard's brother" because these species share the same habitat. In addition, African golden cats often follow leopards.
  • These cats make the typical sounds of wild cats, twelve or so different types of sounds, including meowing, growling, and hissing. They also sometimes gurgle, sound small wild cats emit when other cats are close by.

Coloring Pages

References

1. African Golden Cat Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_golden_cat
2. African Golden Cat on The IUCN Red List site - http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/18306/0

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