Prionailurus rubiginosus (I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1831)

Rusty-spotted cat

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU) external link Showing: scientific names

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Prionailurus rubiginosus (I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1831)

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Prionailurus rubiginosus (I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1831)

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Biology

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The agile rusty-spotted cat is apparently mainly nocturnal (2), and spends its days in a hollow log, tree or forest thicket (4). Whilst this cat is a capable climber, it is thought to hunt at night on the ground, and use its climbing abilities to escape predation (4). It feeds on small mammals and birds, which can sometimes include domestic poultry and ducks (2) (4), and local people report that this elusive cat emerges after heavy rains to feed on the rodents and frogs that also surface (4).

Rusty-spotted cats give birth in spring in India (5). Gestation lasts for around 67 days, after which the female gives birth to one or two kittens in a secluded den, such as a shallow cave (2) (4). The kittens are born blind (4), and their coat lacks the rusty spots of the adults (5).

"Prionailurus rubiginosus (I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1831)". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/312856". Accessed 16 Mar 2010.