{"id":5458,"date":"2020-06-23T07:36:37","date_gmt":"2020-06-23T07:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/?p=5458"},"modified":"2025-08-01T11:51:27","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T06:21:27","slug":"wild-cats-of-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wild-cats-of-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Wild Cats of India | Big Cats Of India | Small Cats"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5458\" class=\"elementor elementor-5458\" data-elementor-settings=\"{&quot;ha_cmc_init_switcher&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bbda2fa e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bbda2fa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-828b17b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"828b17b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">India has a great diversity of wildlife and holds a reputation for owning the highest number of wild cat species in its forest landscapes. Out of the forty species existing in the Felidae family, fifteen are found in the Indian subcontinent, making it a prime destination to witness the Wild Cats of India.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} --><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">These are further classified into three different categories based on their size as \u2013 <strong>Big cats of India<\/strong>, <strong>Medium-sized cats of India<\/strong>, and <strong>Small cats of India<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Let us introduce you to these 15 wild cat species and share some interesting attributes about their elusive lives.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da9e4da e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"da9e4da\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-933c294 uael-heading-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-uael-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"933c294\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;heading_text_align&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;heading_bottom_space&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;heading_bottom_space_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;heading_bottom_space_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;separator_bottom_space&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;separator_bottom_space_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;separator_bottom_space_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;content_between_space&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:15,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;content_between_space_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;content_between_space_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"uael-table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-toc-main-wrapper\" data-headings=\"h1,h2,h3\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-toc-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-toc-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-toc-heading elementor-inline-editing\" data-elementor-setting-key=\"heading_title\" data-elementor-inline-editing-toolbar=\"basic\" >Table of Contents<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-toc-toggle-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-toc-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul data-toc-headings=\"headings\" class=\"uael-toc-list uael-toc-list-disc\" data-scroll=\"\" ><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-toc-empty-note\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>Add a header to begin generating the table of contents<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6519dc19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6519dc19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Wild Cats of India \u2013 Exploring Big, Medium, and Small Feline Species<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":15638,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Big-cats-in-india-1-1-scaled.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-15638 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Big-cats-in-india-1-1-724x1024.webp\" alt=\"big cats of india\" width=\"566\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Big-cats-in-india-1-1-724x1024.webp 724w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Big-cats-in-india-1-1-212x300.webp 212w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Big-cats-in-india-1-1-768x1086.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Big-cats-in-india-1-1-1086x1536.webp 1086w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Big-cats-in-india-1-1-1448x2048.webp 1448w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Big-cats-in-india-1-1-150x212.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Big-cats-in-india-1-1-scaled.webp 1810w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 566px) 100vw, 566px\" \/><\/a>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><strong>Illustration by: Deepa Rakshana<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Royal Bengal Tiger <em>(Panthera Tigris)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>IUCN status- Endangered<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"file\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":12208,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Sub-adult-Tiger-and-Tigress_3rd-Nov-2023-5-scaled.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-12208 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Sub-adult-Tiger-and-Tigress_3rd-Nov-2023-5-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera Tigris)\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Sub-adult-Tiger-and-Tigress_3rd-Nov-2023-5-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Sub-adult-Tiger-and-Tigress_3rd-Nov-2023-5-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Sub-adult-Tiger-and-Tigress_3rd-Nov-2023-5-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Sub-adult-Tiger-and-Tigress_3rd-Nov-2023-5-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Sub-adult-Tiger-and-Tigress_3rd-Nov-2023-5-2048x1152.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Sub-adult-Tiger-and-Tigress_3rd-Nov-2023-5-533x300.webp 533w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Sub-adult-Tiger-and-Tigress_3rd-Nov-2023-5-150x84.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:gallery --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Undoubtedly the largest wild cat species alive on earth, the Royal Bengal Tiger is the national animal of India. The distinguished population exists in India, while a few healthy populations also thrive in small pockets in countries like Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">As one of the most iconic Wild Cats of India, tigers are considered among the most charismatic cats in the wild. After a drastic decline during the last decade, the tiger population has recently stabilized in India. With nearly <strong>3,000 tigers<\/strong>, India has a stronghold as an abode for this regal feline.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">It is heartening to know, that despite being one of the most densely populated countries in the world, India has not only managed to <strong>save tigers<\/strong> but also successfully raised their numbers. Being a flagship species, it has benefitted the conservation of other wildlife species and the protection of large forested areas.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":4904,\"width\":\"592px\",\"height\":\"366px\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Tiger-Cubs-1024x635-1.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4904 size-full\" style=\"width: 592px; height: 366px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Tiger-Cubs-1024x635-1.webp\" alt=\"tiger cubs\" width=\"1024\" height=\"635\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Tiger-Cubs-1024x635-1.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Tiger-Cubs-1024x635-1-300x186.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Tiger-Cubs-1024x635-1-768x476.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Tiger-Cubs-1024x635-1-484x300.webp 484w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Tiger cubs from Bandhavgarh national park<\/strong><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Tigers are <strong>territorial cats<\/strong> and spend most of their time resting in caves, grasslands, mangroves, waterholes, and bamboo thickets. They prefer to hunt <strong>spotted deer<\/strong>, sambar deer, wild pigs, etc., and at times domestic cattle. Their gestation period is around 105 days and on average 2-4 cubs are born. After about 18 months to 2 years, the cubs separate from the mother and other siblings and look out for their territories. A <strong>fully grown male tiger <\/strong>can easily <strong>weigh up to 250 kg<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><strong>Best places for <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/tiger-safari-in-india\">tiger safari in India<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 <strong><em>Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Tadoba, Pench, and Ranthambore National Park.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2<\/strong>. <strong>Asiatic Lion <em>(Panthera Leo)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>IUCN status- Endangered<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":5480,\"width\":\"587px\",\"height\":\"390px\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Asiatic-Lion.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5480 size-full aligncenter\" style=\"width: 587px; height: 390px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Asiatic-Lion.webp\" alt=\"Asiatic Lion (Panthera Leo)\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Asiatic-Lion.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Asiatic-Lion-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Asiatic-Lion-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Asiatic-Lion-480x320.webp 480w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Asiatic-Lion-450x300.webp 450w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Asiatic-Lion-120x80.webp 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Formerly, Asiatic Lions dwelt in the lands of the Middle East to Bengal in India. But today, they are restricted only to Gir National Park in Gujarat, with the current population pegged around 670. As one of the rare Wild Cats of India, a noticeable characteristic of Asiatic Lions is their longitudinal fold of skin running along their belly, which is absent in African Lions. Even the Asiatic males are less social and do not stay with the females unless it is mating season or when sharing their kill.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Their <strong>primary diet<\/strong> comprises wild ungulates like <strong>deer, sambar, and wild pigs. <\/strong>Livestock too contributes to their favored meal. The main threat they face today is genetic inbreeding arising from a single population.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">There is a lot of debate among researchers in India about their origin. A few feel that lions are not indigenous to India, an interesting read on the same is \u2018<strong>Exotic Aliens\u2019<\/strong> by Valmik Thapar. But this theory is fiercely contested by many others.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Best place to see lions in India<\/strong> \u2013 <strong><em>Gir national park in Gujarat.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3.<\/strong> <strong>Indian Leopard <em>(Panthera pardus)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>IUCN status- Near Threatened<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":431,\"width\":\"591px\",\"height\":\"386px\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-431 size-large\" style=\"width: 591px; height: 386px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/1-1024x669.webp\" alt=\"Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus)\" width=\"1024\" height=\"669\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/1-1024x669.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/1-300x196.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Leopards are renowned for their unique skill set of agility and adaptation, making them one of the most successful wild cats in the world. Counted among the iconic Wild Cats of India, they are found across the country, and even in densely populated cities like Mumbai, Gurugram, Bangalore, and Mysore, where they primarily survive on stray dogs and pigs.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">This stealthy and elusive creature is an<strong> excellent climber<\/strong>. They have <strong>black rosettes (rose-like marking found on the fur and skin)<\/strong> marked on their body. This <strong>pattern of rosettes is unique to each individual <\/strong>and hence helps in their identification.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Leopards are opportunistic hunters built for strength, rather than speed as they are more likely to drag their kill up the tree.\u00a0Their primary diet comprises deer<strong>, wild pigs, monkeys, and even domestic livestock.<\/strong> They prefer to keep a very low profile in <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/tigers-of-kanha-national-park-from-the-diary-of-a-naturalist\/\"><strong>tiger-dominated parks<\/strong><\/a>, yet successfully manage to raise cubs and hold their territories.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">In the last few years, there have been many records of a <strong><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/black-leopards-in-india\/\">black panther<\/a> or melanistic leopard<\/strong> sightings in India, which is basically its colour variant. They have been frequently sighted in parks like <strong>Nagarhole, Dandeli, and Tadoba.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><strong>Best places to see leopards in India<\/strong> \u2013 <strong><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/satpura-national-park\">Satpura<\/a>, Nagarhole, Pench, Tadoba, Jhalana, Bera, Panna, and Bandipur<\/strong> <strong>National Parks<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4.<\/strong> <strong>Snow Leopard <em>(Panthera uncia)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>IUCN status- Endangered<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":5835,\"width\":\"591px\",\"height\":\"383px\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/snow-leopard.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5835 size-full\" style=\"width: 591px; height: 383px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/snow-leopard.webp\" alt=\"Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)\" width=\"960\" height=\"623\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/snow-leopard.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/snow-leopard-300x195.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/snow-leopard-768x498.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/snow-leopard-462x300.webp 462w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Credits: Pixabay<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">As the name suggests,\u00a0Snow leopards are found in the <strong>high altitudes of mighty Himalayas<\/strong>. In holds three records:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><em>A predator found at the highest altitude<\/em><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><em>Long-tail as compared to its body size<\/em><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><em>Only big cat which <strong>cannot roar due to its rigid hyoid bone<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">The <strong>sturdy buil<\/strong>t of Snow Leopard allows it to scale great steep slopes proficiently. <strong>Males <\/strong>weigh <strong>45-55 kg<\/strong> whereas <strong>females <\/strong>weigh around <strong>35-40 kg.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">The <strong>primary food<\/strong> of this big cat is the <strong>blue sheep and mountain Ibex<\/strong>. It also preys on <strong>domestic goats, marmots, pikas, and hares<\/strong>. Their <strong>lifespan<\/strong> is around <strong>15-18 years in the wild.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">As it is the <strong>only top predator of high altitude habitat<\/strong>, it is also an ecological indicator of its health. <em>If it thrives, so will other species in that region.<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Snow leopard research has gained momentum in the last few years and they have now been recorded in a large area above 4000 meters including <strong>Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Mongolia<\/strong>. Recent research indicates that a <strong>male snow leopard has a range<\/strong> of around <strong>80 sq. km<\/strong>. and a <strong>female<\/strong> around <strong>45-50 sq. km.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><strong>Best places to see snow leopards in India<\/strong> \u2013 are Hemis national park, Ulley in Ladakh and Spiti Valley<strong> in Himachal Pradesh<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5<\/strong>. <strong>Indo-Chinese Clouded Leopard <em>(Neofelis nebulosa)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>IUCN status-Vulnerable<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":5836,\"width\":\"589px\",\"height\":\"392px\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/beautiful-2657873_960_720.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5836 size-full\" style=\"width: 589px; height: 392px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/beautiful-2657873_960_720.webp\" alt=\"Indo-Chinese Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/beautiful-2657873_960_720.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/beautiful-2657873_960_720-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/beautiful-2657873_960_720-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/beautiful-2657873_960_720-480x320.webp 480w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/beautiful-2657873_960_720-450x300.webp 450w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/beautiful-2657873_960_720-120x80.webp 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Credits: Pixabay<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">The smallest big cat of India, the Indo-Chinese Clouded leopard, is <strong>secretive <\/strong>and known to <strong>keep a low profile in the wild<\/strong>. They are <strong>solitary cats<\/strong> and weigh up to <strong>11-23 kg.<\/strong> They have <strong>grey cloud-shaped marks<\/strong> on their coats, <strong>striped cheeks<\/strong>, and <strong>spots on its tail.<\/strong> They possess the <strong><em>longest canine teeth<\/em><\/strong>, relative to their skull as compared to any other cat species in the world.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">These cats are <strong>arboreal <\/strong>and can easily hang upside down from their hind legs. Their<strong> large paws<\/strong> and <strong>sharp claws<\/strong> help to <strong>secure a good grip on the tree<\/strong>, thus helping them to ambush and prey on monkeys. <strong>They even raise their cubs on tree hollows.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><strong>Best place to see Clouded Leopard in India<\/strong> \u2013 <em><strong>Himalayan foothills of North-East India<\/strong>, <strong>Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh,<\/strong> and <strong>Greater Manas in Assam<\/strong>. Sightings are rare and most records are obtained using camera traps.<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"level\":3} -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>MEDIUM-SIZED CATS OF INDIA<\/strong><\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":15642,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/medium-sized-cats-in-india-scaled.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-15642 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/medium-sized-cats-in-india-724x1024.webp\" alt=\"medium sized cats of india\" width=\"566\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/medium-sized-cats-in-india-724x1024.webp 724w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/medium-sized-cats-in-india-212x300.webp 212w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/medium-sized-cats-in-india-768x1086.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/medium-sized-cats-in-india-1086x1536.webp 1086w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/medium-sized-cats-in-india-1448x2048.webp 1448w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/medium-sized-cats-in-india-150x212.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/medium-sized-cats-in-india-scaled.webp 1810w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 566px) 100vw, 566px\" \/><\/a>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><strong>Illustration by: Deepa Rakshana<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. <strong>Jungle Cat <em>(Felis chaus)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>IUCN status- Least Concern<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":12211,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/DSC7735-scaled.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-12211 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/DSC7735-1024x709.webp\" alt=\"jungle cats\" width=\"1024\" height=\"709\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/DSC7735-1024x709.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/DSC7735-300x208.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/DSC7735-768x532.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/DSC7735-1536x1064.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/DSC7735-2048x1419.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/DSC7735-433x300.webp 433w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/DSC7735-150x104.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jungle Cats on our camera trap in Pench Tree Lodge<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">One of the most widespread and <strong>common wild cats <\/strong>in India is the Jungle cat. Regardless of the name, they are generally seen around <strong>dense vegetative cover, wetlands, shrubs, the fringe of the villages<\/strong>, and <strong>forest. <\/strong>They are <strong>nocturnal but not very strictly,<\/strong> and they like to rest in burrows of porcupines, badgers, and even foxes.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":12235,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/1701429648031.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-12235 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/1701429648031-681x1024.webp\" alt=\"jungle cat\" width=\"532\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/1701429648031-681x1024.webp 681w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/1701429648031-199x300.webp 199w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/1701429648031-768x1155.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/1701429648031-150x226.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/1701429648031.webp 851w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 532px) 100vw, 532px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">They are <strong>solitary,<\/strong> <strong>except during mating or while raising kittens.<\/strong> Their <strong>gestation period<\/strong> is brief, lasting for <strong>two months. <\/strong>Normally <strong>2 to 6 kittens <\/strong>are born in a <strong>litter. <\/strong>The <strong>young ones separate<\/strong> after<strong> 8 to 10 months <\/strong>and mature in a year itself. They have equal-sized claws on both fore and hind legs. Being efficient hunters, they have a <strong>variety <\/strong>of <strong>prey base<\/strong> including <strong>rodents, birds, snakes, lizards and frogs.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":12236,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/1701429648021.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-12236 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/1701429648021-1024x768.webp\" alt=\"jungle cats of india\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/1701429648021-1024x768.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/1701429648021-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/1701429648021-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/1701429648021-400x300.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/1701429648021-160x120.webp 160w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/1701429648021-150x113.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/1701429648021.webp 1152w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><strong>Best place to spot Jungle Cat in India <\/strong>\u2013 <em><strong>Satpura, Panna, Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Ranthambore, <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/facts-bandhavgarh-national-park\/\">Bandhavgarh<\/a> and\u00a0Pench.<\/strong><\/em> It is also sighted in <em><strong>scrublands and rural areas<\/strong><\/em> while driving late in the evening.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. <strong>Fishing Cat <em>(Prionailurus viverrinus)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>IUCN status- Vulnerable<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":5837,\"width\":\"590px\",\"height\":\"393px\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/fishing-cat-.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5837 size-full alignnone\" style=\"width: 590px; height: 393px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/fishing-cat-.webp\" alt=\"fishing Cat\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/fishing-cat-.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/fishing-cat--300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/fishing-cat--768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/fishing-cat--480x320.webp 480w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/fishing-cat--450x300.webp 450w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/fishing-cat--120x80.webp 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Picture Credits: conservationindia.org By: Subhajit Maity and Tiasa Adhya<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Fishing cat, the <strong>state animal of West Bengal<\/strong>, is also found in mangrove forests of the <strong>Sundarbans<\/strong>, on the foothills of the Himalayas in the <strong>Terai <\/strong>region, along the Ganga and Brahmaputra river valleys and in the Western Ghats.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">As the name suggests, they primarily hunt for <strong>fish<\/strong>. They are known to prey on <strong>frogs, crustaceans, snakes, birds<\/strong>, too. Being residents of wetland habitats, they are <strong>good swimmers and nocturnal <\/strong>by nature. The layered structure of their fur provides thermal insulation and acts as a barrier to water. \u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">These small cats are very aggressive. Their coat is <strong>olive-grey<\/strong>, and their <strong>cheek <\/strong>possesses <strong>two dark stripes<\/strong> on both sides. They inhabit wetlands, tidal creeks, marshy lands, and mangrove forests. They <strong>weigh<\/strong> from <strong>5 to 16 <\/strong>kg. Similar to several other smaller feline members, it communicates through hisses, gruff growls, and very rarely a low, demanding meow.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><strong>Best place to spot the Fishing cat in India<\/strong> \u2013 <strong>Sundarbans, Bharatpur and Western Ghats<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. <strong>Pallas\u2019s cat <em>(Octolobus manul)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>IUCN status- Least Concern<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":5838,\"width\":\"591px\",\"height\":\"393px\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/pallas-cat-.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5838 size-full\" style=\"width: 591px; height: 393px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/pallas-cat-.webp\" alt=\" pallas-cat\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/pallas-cat-.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/pallas-cat--300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/pallas-cat--768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/pallas-cat--480x320.webp 480w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/pallas-cat--450x300.webp 450w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/pallas-cat--120x80.webp 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Credits: Pixabay<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Pallas\u2019s Cat also called <em>manul<\/em>, is distinguished from other cats by its <strong>greyish face, stout build, and long hair <\/strong>with <strong>white tips<\/strong> giving it a frosted appearance. Unlike other cats, their <strong>pupils don\u2019t contract in vertical slits, rather it becomes small dark circles.<\/strong> It has the <strong>densest and longest fur among the other cat <\/strong>which helps to <strong>insulate them against cold<\/strong>. <strong><em>They wrap their well-furred tail around the body like a warm muff.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">They prefer <strong>rocky areas, crevices, caves, and mountain steppes<\/strong> even sheltering in <strong>abandoned dens of marmots and foxes.<\/strong> They are <strong>solitary <\/strong>cats and <strong>scent mark their territories<\/strong> of <strong>2 to 4 km<\/strong>. They ambush and stalk their prey before they seize it. <strong>Pika <\/strong>being their favorite prey, comprises around fifty percent of their diet.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><strong>Best place to spot Pallas\u2019s cat in India<\/strong> \u2013 <em>Rarely sighted in<strong> Ladakh and trans-Himalayan region of Sikkim<\/strong>. Most of the records are obtained using camera traps currently.<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. <strong>Asiatic Wild Cat <em>(Felis sylvestris)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>IUCN status- Least concern<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":5471,\"width\":\"587px\",\"height\":\"452px\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5471 size-full\" style=\"width: 587px; height: 452px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/1658332_621472451257298_67792778_o.webp\" alt=\"Asiatic-Wild-Cat\" width=\"960\" height=\"740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/1658332_621472451257298_67792778_o.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/1658332_621472451257298_67792778_o-300x231.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/1658332_621472451257298_67792778_o-768x592.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/1658332_621472451257298_67792778_o-389x300.webp 389w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Asiatic wild cats are <strong>mistaken with domestic cats<\/strong> for having similar features. It is also said to be the <strong>closest wild ancestor of domestic cats<\/strong>. Inter-breeding happens in areas where both dwell in. Their primary habitat is <strong>desert<\/strong> where they <strong>live in burrows.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Their <strong>diet <\/strong>constitutes of <strong>gerbils, hares, partridges, peacocks, sandgrouse, eggs of land birds, and even snakes, geckos, and beetles.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Their <strong>furry feet<\/strong> help them to walk through <strong>rocky and hot landscapes<\/strong>. They are <strong>prolific diggers,<\/strong> as it is important to construct and maintain their burrows in the sand and also to dig rodents out of it. Thus <strong>their claws do not completely retract, unlike big cats.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><strong>Best place to spot the Asiatic wild cat in India<\/strong> \u2013 <em><strong>Desert national park, Rajasthan and arid regions of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. <strong>Eurasian Lynx <em>(Lynx lynx)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>IUCN status- Least Concern<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":5839,\"width\":\"589px\",\"height\":\"568px\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/eurasian-lynx.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5839 size-full\" style=\"width: 589px; height: 568px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/eurasian-lynx.webp\" alt=\"eurasian-lynx\" width=\"747\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/eurasian-lynx.webp 747w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/eurasian-lynx-300x289.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/eurasian-lynx-311x300.webp 311w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 747px) 100vw, 747px\" \/><\/a>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Credits: Pixabay<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><strong>Out of the four lynx species, Eurasian lynx is the largest on planet earth<\/strong>. Having a habitat ranging across <strong>Europe, Russia, Central Asia and India<\/strong> holds its southern edge. They are found in limited areas in <strong>Ladakh, POK, Sikkim and North-Eastern parts of our country.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">They spend most of their day time resting in <strong>crevices, mountain steppe, woodland areas, thickets,<\/strong> etc. They mostly <strong>feed<\/strong> on <strong>hares, and small ungulates like goats and boars.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">They differ from other medium-sized cats by its long black ear tufts, a very short tail (which only reaches its hough), and distinctive sandy pale grey coat on the body. It is more active during dusk and dawn. Lynx bury any uneaten prey and return the next day to finish it<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><strong>Best place to spot Eurasian Lynx in India<\/strong> \u2013 <strong>Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. <\/strong>Sightings are rare and most records are obtained using camera traps.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. <strong>Asian Golden Cat <em>(Catopuma temminckii)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>IUCN status- Vulnerable<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":5841,\"width\":\"547px\",\"height\":\"574px\",\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/220px-Asian_Golden_cat.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5841 size-full\" style=\"width: 547px; height: 574px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/220px-Asian_Golden_cat.webp\" alt=\"asian golden cat\" width=\"220\" height=\"231\" \/><\/a>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Credits: Wikipedia<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Asian Golden Cat is very <strong>similar to the North American Puma<\/strong> with the remarkable size difference and <strong>black stripes on the face<\/strong>. It is also known as<em> &#8216;Fire Cat&#8217; <\/em>due to the <strong>presence of spots and stripes on their body.<\/strong> This, sometimes, leads them to be misidentified for a young leopard.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">During a study held in Arunachal Pradesh on Golden cats, it was found (in camera traps) that their <strong>coat <\/strong>may vary in colors like <strong>cinnamon, golden, gray, and melanistic.\u00a0<\/strong> Even though they <strong>weigh 8 to 15 kg<\/strong>, they are capable of hunting down large <strong>prey<\/strong> like <strong>sheep and goats.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Needless to say, being very secretive, it is a <strong>nocturnal forest dweller<\/strong>. These cats are purely carnivorous and opportunistic feeders. Golden cats are found in <strong>rocky areas <\/strong>as well as in <strong>forests, scrubs and grasslands<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Best place to spot Asian Golden cat in India<\/strong> \u2013 <em><strong>Manas national park, Assam<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. <strong>Caracal <em>(Caracal caracal)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>IUCN status- Least concern<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":448,\"width\":\"588px\",\"height\":\"330px\",\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/31.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-448 size-full\" style=\"width: 588px; height: 330px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/31.webp\" alt=\"caracals\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/31.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/31-300x168.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Credit: Babbette and Anton, Used with permission of Shekhar Kolipaka<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">A mysterious cat from the arid regions of <strong>Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh<\/strong>, Caracal is now <strong>on the verge of extinction.<\/strong> Its name &#8216;Caracal&#8217; is derived from the <em>Turkish word &#8216;karakulak&#8217; <\/em>which means<strong> &#8216;black ear.<\/strong>&#8216; Easily distinguished by its <strong>long, black tufted ears<\/strong> similar to the Eurasian lynx, caracal is generally <strong>swift, nocturnal, and solitary.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">It <strong>preys <\/strong>predominantly on <strong>hares and rodents <\/strong>and can easily <strong>jump up to 3 meters<\/strong> (with the help of their powerful hind legs) to <strong>catch birds in the air.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/caracal-the-covert-cats-of-central-india\/\">Caracals<\/a> breed throughout the year and normally <strong>a litter <\/strong>of <strong>1 to 6 kittens <\/strong>are born. Their <strong>gestation period <\/strong>is around <strong>2 to 3 months<\/strong>. The kittens stay with the mother for around 8 to 9 months before they leave her and make their own range.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><strong>Best place to spot Caracal in India<\/strong> \u2013 <strong>Central India\u00a0and\u00a0Ranthambore\u00a0National Park<\/strong> but sighting them is rare. Most records are obtained from using camera traps<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"level\":3} -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>SMALL CATS OF INDIA<\/strong><\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":15647,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/small-cats-in-india-scaled.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-15647 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/small-cats-in-india-724x1024.webp\" alt=\"small cats of india\" width=\"566\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/small-cats-in-india-724x1024.webp 724w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/small-cats-in-india-212x300.webp 212w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/small-cats-in-india-768x1086.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/small-cats-in-india-1086x1536.webp 1086w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/small-cats-in-india-1448x2048.webp 1448w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/small-cats-in-india-150x212.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/small-cats-in-india-scaled.webp 1810w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 566px) 100vw, 566px\" \/><\/a>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><strong>Illustration by: Deepa Rakshana<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. <strong>Leopard Cat <em>(<em>Prionailurus bengalensis<\/em><\/em><\/strong>)<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>IUCN status- Least concern<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":12212,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.57.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-12212 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.57-1024x682.webp\" alt=\"leopard cat\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.57-1024x682.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.57-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.57-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.57-480x320.webp 480w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.57-450x300.webp 450w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.57-120x80.webp 120w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.57-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.57.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Credits: (c) Pugdundee Safaris<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">The tiny version of an Indian leopard, these<strong> nocturnal and crepuscular <\/strong><em>(active during twilight)<\/em> cats favored habitat is, <strong>tropical evergreen rain forest,<\/strong> <strong>cultivated area, moist deciduous forest, and grasslands.<\/strong> It is <strong>solitary, <\/strong>but can be seen in a pair during mating or with dependent young ones.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Two prominent <strong>white streaks<\/strong> are present <strong>between the eyes<\/strong> and their <strong>muzzle is also white<\/strong>. They <strong>lack rosettes<\/strong>, but have <strong>black spots <\/strong>throughout their coat. Its <strong>tail <\/strong>is <strong>half the size of its body<\/strong> and they <strong>weigh<\/strong> around<strong> 3 to 4 kgs<\/strong> only.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":12213,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.58.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-12213 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.58-1024x682.webp\" alt=\"leopard cats\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.58-1024x682.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.58-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.58-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.58-480x320.webp 480w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.58-450x300.webp 450w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.58-120x80.webp 120w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.58-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-26-at-12.31.58.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Credits: (c) Pugdundee Safaris<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">They <strong>feed <\/strong>on <strong>hares, tree shrews, lizards, and amphibians<\/strong> and are excellent climbers. Due to their <strong>arboreal nature,<\/strong> they easily conceal themselves in dense forest cover and vegetation.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Their <strong>breeding season<\/strong> varies depending on climatic conditions and after a <strong>gestation period <\/strong>of <strong>60 \u2013 70 days<\/strong>, <strong>2 to 3 kittens <\/strong>are born. They stay less than a year before they separate from their mother. Sexual maturity is reached by <strong>13 to 14 months.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><strong>Best place to spot Leopard cat in India<\/strong> \u2013 <strong><em>Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve, Bhadra Tiger Reserve, and North-East India<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. <strong>Marbled Cat <em>(Pardofelis marmorata)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>IUCN status- Near Threatened <\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Marbled cat is considered as the miniature version of clouded leopard with <strong>thick, dark blotches<\/strong> on the <strong>upper body<\/strong> and <strong>black spots<\/strong> along its <strong>tail and legs.<\/strong> It has a <strong>short and more rounded head <\/strong>compared to other feline members with a wider forehead and larger pupils. It is found in <strong>North East India <\/strong>and other <strong>South-East Asian countries.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Marbled cat is similar in size to the domestic cat with <strong>more slender and elongated body.<\/strong> It weigh <strong>2 to 5 kg<\/strong> only and lead a <strong>solitary life.<\/strong> It is an agile climber and <strong>arboreal<\/strong> by nature due to which, it is also known as <em><strong>&#8216;Old World Margay&#8217;.<\/strong><\/em> Its <strong>diet<\/strong> consists of <strong>birds, rodents, smaller mammals and reptiles.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">In captivity its been found that their gestation period varies from 65 to 80 days and 1 to 4 kittens are born in a litter. It achieves sexual maturity within two years.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><strong>Best place to spot Marbled cat in India<\/strong> \u2013 <strong><em>Namdhapa National park, Pakke Tiger reserve in Arunachal Pradesh<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. <strong>Rusty Spotted Cat <em>(Prionailurus rubiginosus)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>IUCN status- Near Threatened <\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":5469,\"width\":\"588px\",\"height\":\"374px\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Rusty-Spotted-Cat3.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5469 size-full\" style=\"width: 588px; height: 374px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Rusty-Spotted-Cat3.webp\" alt=\"Rusty Spotted Cat\" width=\"960\" height=\"612\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Rusty-Spotted-Cat3.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Rusty-Spotted-Cat3-300x191.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Rusty-Spotted-Cat3-768x490.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Rusty-Spotted-Cat3-471x300.webp 471w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">The <strong>world&#8217;s smallest ca<\/strong>t, <em>the hummingbird of the cat family<\/em>, Rusty-spotted cat is found in <strong>India, Nepal and Srilanka<\/strong>. A fully grown adult is similar in size to a domestic kitten. It weighs only <strong>1.5 to 1.6 kg <\/strong>making it the <strong>lightest cat in the world. <\/strong>It is <strong>extremely shy, prefers rocky areas, scrub, dry and open forests <\/strong>and also <strong>inhabit near human settlements.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":5862,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5862 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/rusty-spotted-cat-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"Rusty Spotted Cat\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/rusty-spotted-cat-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/rusty-spotted-cat-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/rusty-spotted-cat-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/rusty-spotted-cat-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/rusty-spotted-cat-2048x1366.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/rusty-spotted-cat-480x320.webp 480w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/rusty-spotted-cat-450x300.webp 450w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/rusty-spotted-cat-120x80.webp 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Credits: (c) Swanand Deshpande<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:gallery --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">The best identification key for rusty-spotted cat is its <strong>unmarked tail and whitish lip, chin and undersides. <\/strong>Its <strong>eyes are also ringed white.<\/strong> It is a <strong>nocturnal<\/strong> species, having <strong>arboreal<\/strong> tendency. The main tool for communication in these cats is scent. Both male and female spray urine for <strong>scent marking.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">They normally <strong>feed<\/strong> on <strong>reptiles, frogs, rodents, insects and small birds. <\/strong>Major threat to these little precious cats are habitat destruction and deforestation in India.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><strong>Best place to spot Rusty spotted cat in India<\/strong> \u2013 <em><strong>Satpura, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Gir and Mundanthurai National park<\/strong>s.<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":14877,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wild-cats-of-india-scaled.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-14877 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wild-cats-of-india-1024x724.webp\" alt=\"Wild cats of India infographic\" width=\"1024\" height=\"724\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wild-cats-of-india-1024x724.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wild-cats-of-india-300x212.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wild-cats-of-india-768x543.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wild-cats-of-india-1536x1086.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wild-cats-of-india-2048x1448.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wild-cats-of-india-150x106.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><strong>Illustration by: Deepa Rakshana<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"very-dark-gray\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-dark-gray-color has-text-color\"><strong>Did you know?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"justify\",\"textColor\":\"very-dark-gray\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify has-very-dark-gray-color has-text-color\"><em><strong>Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary<\/strong> situated in Assam, India, is the only place in the world where<\/em><strong><em> 7 species of wild cats <\/em><\/strong><em>thrive in its rain forest.<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"very-dark-gray\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-very-dark-gray-color has-text-color\"><strong>Written By : Mugdha Desai and Swanand Deshpande, <\/strong><em>Naturalists at Denwa Backwater Escape, Satpura<\/em> and <em><strong>Ashish Tirkey<\/strong>, Manager, Tree House Hideaway, Bandhavgarh<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Edited by: Natasha Sinha<\/strong>, <em>Content Curator, Pugdundee Safaris. <\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><em>Visit our lodges in\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kanhaearthlodge.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kanha<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kingslodge.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bandhavgarh<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.penchtreelodge.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pench<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>Satpura,<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenriverlodge.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Panna<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to watch various fascinating species of the forests frolic in the untamed wild. Get in touch with our trip curators at Pugdundee Safaris to book your next wildlife holiday.<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><em>Our trip curators at Pugdundee Safaris are more than happy to assist you.\u00a0<strong>Phone: +91-011-40132680 \u00a0 Email:\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:enquiry@pugdundeesafaris.com\">enquiry@pugdundeesafaris.com<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:buttons -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons\"><!-- wp:button -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/facts-about-tigers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">11 Interesting Facts About Tigers<\/a><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:button --><!-- wp:button -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/indian-big-five-safari\/\">What are the Big 5 of Indian Safari<\/a><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:button --><!-- wp:button -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/canids-in-india\/\">Canids in Central India<\/a><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:button --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:buttons --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf80862 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bf80862\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8026052 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"8026052\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\n    .ast-author-meta{\n        display: none;\n    }\n    \n<\/style>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0581534 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0581534\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a52e3f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a52e3f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">About The Author<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d43d38e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d43d38e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Mugdha Desai and Swanand Deshpande<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>India has a great diversity of wildlife and holds a reputation for owning the highest number of wild cat species [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19653,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[603],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tiger-safari-in-india"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 4.9.9 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"India is home to diverse wildlife and the highest number of wildcat species. 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