Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is currently home to 8 species of felines (as well as 4 types of feline hybrids). We are all familiar with the lions, tigers, cougars, jaguars, leopards, servals, caracals, and bobcats, but there is a whole world of wild cats to learn about. Here are some wild cat species you might have never heard of.
Flat Headed Cat: Prionailurus planiceps
The flat headed cat is an endangered cat species that is found in Sumatra, Borneo, and on the Malayan Peninsula. It is named after its flattened forehead. This cat lives in wetland habitats and eats fish, frogs, small rodents, birds, and crustaceans. Its long teeth aid in catching aquatic prey.
Rusty-spotted Cat: Prionailurus rubiginosus
The rusty-spotted cat is half the size of a domestic cat, making it the smallest cat found in India and Sri Lanka. It lives in forested habitats of many types as well as grasslands, hunting birds and small mammals. The rusty-spotted cat will also hunt other animals such as bats, insects, and frogs when needed.
Margray: Leopardus wiedii
The margray cat is a found from Northern Mexico to Northern Argentina. It inhabits tropical forests, and it preys on a variety of animals including mammals, birds, and herptiles. The margray also eats fruit! The species is endangered throughout its range and is in need of conservation efforts.
Kodkod: Leopardus guigna
The Kodkod is a wild cat species found in Chile and Argentina. Due to deforestation and overhunting, the species is vulnerable, and without conservation efforts may become endangered. It hunts lizards, birds, and small rodents in the forested areas where it lives.
Fishing Cat: Prionailurus viverrinus
The fishing cat, known for its ability to, well… fish, is found in wetland areas of Thailand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Malaysia, Java, and India. The fishing cat mainly eats fish, but does branch out when necessary.
Pallas’s Cat
The Pallas’s Cat is found throughout Central Asia. This grumpy and goofy looking cat hunts small rodents, birds, and lizards. An interesting fact about this cat is that it has round pupils unlike most smaller cats, which have vertical slit pupils.
This blog hasn’t even touched on the whole world of wild cats out there! The Felid Family is an amazing and intriguing one. Visit Turpentine Creek to learn about the cats we have!
Sources:
https://www.catsg.org/living-species-flatheadedcat
https://www.catsg.org/living-species-rustyspottedcat
https://felidaefund.org/learn/cats/margay
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Leopardus_wiedii/
https://felidaefund.org/learn/cats/kodkod
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Prionailurus_viverrinus/
https://pallascats.org/species-information/
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/pallas-cat
https://sdzwildlifeexplorers.org/animals/fishing-cat
*Published by Danika Torgersen on 05/03/2025*