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SOME FACTS ABOUT SMALL CATS

or, We don't need no steenkin Big Cats

Living Cats (Felidae) are divided into two distinct genera, Panthera and Felis, although for some reason there are those authorities who disagree with the distinction. The division of cats is based on the structure of the hyoid apparatus, a series of connected bones at the base of the tongue. In one group of cats one of the hyoid bones (the epihyal) fails to develop and is represented only by a threadlike ligament, so that tongue and larynx are loosely attached to the base of the skull. This group, the Roaring cats, includes the big cats: the tiger, lion, jaguar, leopard, and ounce (snow leopard), which are placed together in the genus Panthera (some authorities use the genus name Leo for this group); the clouded leopard also is sometimes placed in this genus. These cats are unable to purr; their voice is a roar and the pupils of their eyes are round. The Canada lynx and bobcat are often placed in a separate genus, Lynx. The cheetah, or hunting leopard, has a normal hyoid but has nonretractile claws and differs from all other cats in other ways; it is placed alone in the genus Acinonyx.

In the second group, the genus Felis, the hyoid develops normally; all such cats can purr but do not roar. The pupil is usually vertical but may be round in a few species. The genus Felis includes the mountain lion and the numerous kinds of smaller cats including the domestic cat. It is solely from the Felis genera that the Ceilican tribe is made up. the Ceilican have a large group of feline kinfolk to breed with and to hide their numbers including: the Domestic cat, the Ocelot, Serval, Margay, Jaguarundi, the Caffre cat, the fishing cat, the flat-headed cat, Geoffroy's cat, the golden cat, the leopard cat, the marbled cat, the pampas cat and the Palla's cat.

OCELOT - ( Felis, or Leopardus, pardalis)
a spotted cat of the New World, found in lowland areas from Texas southward to northern Argentina. The short, smooth fur is patterned with elongated, black-edged spots that are arranged in chainlike bands. The cat's upper parts vary in colour from light or tawny yellow to gray. Adults measure about 70-90 cm (28-35 inches) long, not including the tail, and stand about 45 cm (18 inches) at the shoulder. They weigh 11-16 kg (24-35 pounds), with females being generally smaller than males. The Margay and the Oncilla closely resemble the ocelot in general appearance and range, but the ocelot is larger and has a tail that is shorter than its hind leg.

Frequently maintained in captivity, the ocelot is one of the most commonly seen of the spotted cats. However, because they have long been hunted for their skins, they can be rare in many areas. In fact, the ocelot population is declining throughout most of its range, and one scrubland subspecies, the Texas ocelot (F. p. albescens), is endangered. The hunting of ocelots and the trading of their pelts are prohibited in the United States and most other countries in the animal's range.

MARGAY - (Felis wiedii)
also called Tiger Cat (Tigrillo), a species of small cat that ranges from South through Central America and, rarely, into the extreme southern United States. Little is known about the natural habits of the Margay. It lives in forests and presumably is nocturnal, feeding on small prey such as birds, frogs, and insects. It is largely arboreal and has specially adapted claws and feet that enable it to scamper up tree trunks and along branches with ease. The Margay resembles the related Ocelot but has a longer tail and fuller face, emphasized by large, dark eyes and rounded ears. The male attains a maximum length of about 1.1 m (3.5 feet), including a tail 46 cm (18 inches) long, and weighs up to about 16 kg (35 pounds). The female is generally smaller and has a relatively longer tail. Coloration varies from pale gray to deep brown with dark markings: spots, stripes, bands, and black-edged blotches. When hand reared as a kitten, the Margay reportedly is easily tamed; as an adult, however, it may become unpredictable.

SERVAL - (Felis serval)
The Serval is a long-limbed cat found in Africa south of the Sahara, especially in grass- and bush-covered country near water. A swift, agile cat, the Serval climbs and leaps very well. It is a nocturnal hunter preying on birds and small mammals such as rodents and hares. The serval is a slender cat with a long neck, small head, and large, slightly cupped ears. The adult is 80 to 100 centimetres (32 to 40 inches) long, the tail accounting for an additional 20-30 cm. It stands about 50 cm at the shoulder and weighs about 15 kilograms (33 pounds). The coat is typically long and whitish on the underparts and yellowish to reddish brown above, liberally marked with black spots and stripes. These bold markings are replaced by smaller spots or specks on some individuals, which are known as servaline cats and were once considered a distinct species (Felis brachyura or servalina). All-black individuals are found in some populations, especially those from the high country of Kenya.

JAGUARUNDI - (Felis yagouaroundi)
Also spelled Jaguarondi, this is a small, unspotted New World cat, also known as the otter-cat because of its otterlike appearance and swimming ability. The Jaguarundi is native to forested and brushy regions, especially those near water, from South America to the southwestern United States; it is, however, very rare north of Mexico. A sleek, long-bodied animal, it has small ears, short legs, and a long tail. The adult measures from 90 to 130 cm (36 to 52 inches) in length, including the 30- to 60-centimetre tail; stands 25 to 30 cm at the shoulder; and weighs from 4.5 to 9 kg (10 to 20 pounds). There are two colour varieties of the Jaguarundi: a reddish brown form, known as the Eyra, and a gray form. Kittens of both varieties may appear in one litter. The Jaguarundi lives alone and may be active at any time of day or night. It preys on birds and small mammals.

CAFFRE CAT - (Felis libyca)
The Caffre also spelled Caffer, or Kaffir Cat is also called African Wildcat, or Egyptian Wildcat. It is a small, tabbylike cat found in open and forested regions of Africa, Asia, and southern Europe. Geographic races of this species inhabit the Mediterranean islands of Corsica, Sardinia, Majorca, and Crete. Possibly the first cat to be domesticated, the Caffre cat is somewhat larger and stockier than the modern house cat, with which it interbreeds readily. Its coat, paler in the female, is light or orange brown with narrow, dark stripes. The length of the animal is about 70 cm (28 inches), excluding the 40-centimetre tail; shoulder height averages 23 cm (9 inches), and the cat weighs about 3.5 kg (7.7 pounds). The Caffre cat is a solitary, nocturnal hunter that preys mainly on birds and small mammals.

FISHING CAT - (Felis viverrina)
A tropical cat found in India and Southeast Asia. The coat of the fishing cat is pale gray to deep brownish gray and marked with dark spots and streaks. The adult animal stands about 40 cm (16 inches) at the shoulder, weighs 8-11 kg (18-24 pounds), and is from 60 to 85 cm long, excluding the black-ringed tail, which accounts for an additional 25-30 cm. The fishing cat lives near water and in jungles, reed beds, and marshes. It is reported to fish by scooping its prey out of the water.

FLAT-HEADED CAT - (Felis planiceps)
An extremely rare Asian cat found in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. One of the smallest members of the cat family, the adult is from 40 to 60 centimetres (16 to 24 inches) long without the 15-20-cm tail and weighs from 1.5 to 2.5 kilograms (3.3 to 5.5 pounds). Its coat is reddish above and white with red spots below; there are white markings around the eyes. It is the only felid known to include any substantial amount of vegetation in its diet, with a preference for fruit and, when available, sweet potatoes and similar foods. Little else is known about this cat, which is reported to be nocturnal and to hunt fish and frogs along rivers.

GEOFFROY'S CAT - (Felis geoffroyi)
A South American cat found in mountainous regions, especially in Argentina. It is gray or brown with black markings and grows to a length of about 90 cm (36 inches), including a tail of about 40 cm (16 inches). Geoffroy's cat climbs well and preys on small mammals and birds.

GOLDEN CAT - the African golden cat (Felis aurata), the Asian golden cat (F. temmincki)
The African golden cat is a solitary, nocturnal inhabitant of tropical forests. It is 90-100 centimetres (36-40 inches) long, including the 20-25-cm tail, and stands about 40 cm at the shoulder. The coat is either solid reddish brown or grayish brown above, and white with dark spots below. Sometimes known as Temminck's cat the Asian golden cat, also a forest dweller, is found in India and Southeast Asia. Its coat is typically an unmarked, deep, reddish brown above and paler below, with white and black markings on the face. Its colour varies, however, and may be brown or grayish; in China the coat is reported to have dark markings. The adult cat measures from 75 to 85 cm long, excluding the 40-48-cm tail. It preys on birds and small mammals and reportedly bears its litters of two or three young in hollow trees or other secluded den sites.

LEOPARD CAT - (Felis bengalensis)
A forest-dwelling cat found in India and Southeast Asia and noted for its leopard-like colouring. The coat of the leopard cat is usually yellowish or reddish brown above, white below, and heavily marked with dark spots and streaks. Length of the animal ranges from 45 to 75 centimetres (18 to 30 inches) excluding the 23-35-cm tail. The leopard cat is a nocturnal hunter, preying on birds and small mammals (including domestic fowl in some areas).

MARBLED CAT - (Felis marmorata)
A rare Southeast Asian cat often referred to as a miniature version of the unrelated clouded leopard. The marbled cat is about the size of a domestic cat; it measures roughly 45-60 cm (18-24 inches) long, excluding a tail of approximately the same length. The coat is long, soft, and pale brown to brownish gray, with large, dark-edged blotches on the body and smaller dark spots on the legs and tail. The marbled cat is nocturnal and lives in jungles, and may feed on small animals and birds.

PALLA'S CAT - (Felis manul)
Also called Steppe Cat, or Manul, the Palla's Cat is a small, long-haired cat native to deserts and rocky, mountainous regions from Tibet to Siberia. It was named for the naturalist Peter Simon Pallas. The Pallas's cat is a soft-furred animal about the size of a house cat and is pale silvery gray or light brown in colour. The end of its tail is ringed and tipped with black, and some individuals have vague, dark markings on the body. The fur of the underparts is about twice as long as that of the upperparts and possibly represents an adaptation to the cat's habitual lying and crouching on cold ground.

Head and body length ranges from 45 to 60 centimetres (18 to 24 inches) with an additional 23-30 cm for the tail; weight ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 kilograms (5.5 to 7.7 pounds). The Pallas's cat is distinguished by a broad head with high-set eyes and low-set ears. It has been suggested that the positioning of these features is an adaptation for peering over rocky ledges; the supposition is that the cat thus exposes only a small part of itself to its prey of small mammals (such as pikas and rodents) and birds.

PAMPAS CAT - (Felis colocolo)
A small cat native to South America. It is about 60 cm (24 inches) long, including the 30-centimetre tail. The coat is long-haired and grayish with brown markings which in some individuals may be indistinct. Little is known about the habits of the pampas cat. It is reported to live in thick shrubbery and to hunt birds and small animals at night.

CARACAL - (Felis caracal)
Also called Desert Lynx, or Persian Lynx, the Caracal is a short-tailed cat found in hills, deserts, and plains of Africa, the Middle East, and central and southwestern Asia. The caracal sometimes is given the scientific name Lynx caracal or Caracal caracal. The caracal is a sleek, short-haired cat with a reddish brown-coat and long tufts of black hairs on the tips of its pointed ears. Long legged and short tailed, it stands 40-45 centimeters (16-18 inches) at the shoulder and varies from 66 to 76 cm in length excluding its 20-25-cm tail.

The swift caracal is a skilled and athletic hunter, generally solitary and nocturnal in habit. It preys on birds and mammals, such as gazelles, hares, Impala and peafowl, and has been known to kill Mongoose. Once it has managed to catch its prey it will often need to compete with Bat eared foxes and other hunting Canines who will try to mug them for the kill. In Asia, where it has become rare, it has been trained as a hunting animal. Caracal are incredibly courageous and will face off against a pack of Hyena to protect their litter. The female bears litters of one to four young, which resemble the adults and nest in holes made by burrowing animals such as the aardvark during the day.

MANX CAT
The Manx is a British breed of tailless domestic cat of unknown origin but presumed by tradition to have come from the Isle of Man. Noted for being affectionate, loyal, and courageous, the Manx is distinguished both by its taillessness and by its characteristic hopping gait. It is compactly built, with a rounded head; large, round eyes; and small, wide-set ears. The rump is also rounded and, because the hindlegs are considerably longer than the forelegs, is distinctly higher than the shoulders. The Manx may be born with a tail but ideally should be totally tailless with a hollow at the end of the backbone where the root of the tail should be. The double coat may be any solid, variegated, or tabby colour.

WILDCAT - (Felis silvestris)
A small wild member of the cat family native to Eurasia. The name wildcat is also used as a general term for feral domestic cats and for any of the smaller wild species of the cat family. The European wildcat inhabits forested regions from Scotland through continental Europe to western Asia. It is similar to the domestic cat but has longer legs, a larger, flatter head, and a full, relatively short tail ending in a rounded (not pointed) tip. The coat is yellowish gray with dark stripes and bands in the striped tabby pattern; the tail is black-ringed. The adult wildcat is 50 to 80 cm (20 to 32 inches) long, excluding a 25- to 35-centimetre tail; it stands 35-40 cm (14-16 inches) high at the shoulder and weighs from 3 to 10 kg (6.6 to 22 pounds).

The European wildcat is a solitary, nocturnal animal that preys on birds and small mammals and is reported to raid farms, stealing poultry and lambs. It breeds once yearly (in spring) in continental Europe and twice (sometimes three times) yearly in Scotland. A litter consists of three to six kittens; the gestation period is 68 days. The wildcat interbreeds with the domestic cat. Certain authorities believe that the purity of the Scottish wildcat (one of the several races) is being threatened by interbreeding.

THE KELLAS CAT
The Kellas Cat is a large black hybrid between feral domestic cats and Scottish Wildcats. Specimens of these impressive hybrids were examined scientifically in the 1980s when several jet black cats were shot in Northern Scotland. The corpses present a genuine zoological mystery to which no satisfactory explanation has yet been produced. Whilst exhibiting slight variations the cats were black in colour, 36-43in long with a slender body, a long tail and large fang-like teeth. They resemble neither the Scottish Wildcat, nor the domestic cat.

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