Sumatran cat: description of species

All representatives of the Cat family are amazingly graceful . Along with the known species in nature there are also unique few, so rare individuals that it is extremely difficult to see them today. One of such representatives of the family is the Sumatran cat - an elegant, beautiful and very cautious animal.

Description of the species

The homeland of this cat is South-East Asia, its distribution area includes the territories of Indonesia, Sumatra, Malaysia and Borneo. There is a Sumatran cat in the coastal areas and river floodplains, where the humidity that is vital to it is high. Note that this population is now so rare that at the end of the last century the species was for some time considered permanently extinct, until the animal was accidentally seen on palm plantations of Malaysia. The Sumatran cat is also called flat and rusty. Such names are not accidental, the peculiar shape of the head and the dark copper color of the animal make it somewhat unusual, and therefore memorable.

The shape of a cat is amazing: gracefulness, habits and elegance of lines the Sumatran resident resembles other representatives of the cat family. The dimensions of the body (45-70 cm) are similar to those of their relatives. The weight of the animal does not exceed 3 kg. Males slightly larger than females. The cat's body is dense, strong, sinewy, covered with a soft thick wool of remarkable terracotta color. The color of the cat is not uniform, the abdomen and breast are decorated with different-sized spots - white and dark brown.

But the head of the animal is flat and wide. The muzzle is slightly beveled, the color of its upper part is the same as the whole body, terracotta-brown, in the bottom - light, milky-white tones predominate. Light strips are located at the nose, eyes, descend on the cheeks. The ears of the flathead cat are neat, small, unusually low-set.

In many observers, the shape of the animal's muzzle causes associations with the larya's muzzle due to large round eyes, rather closely planted.

Sharp, strong teeth are suitable for fishing. Feet short, anterior considerably shorter than the posterior. They end in claws, which the Sumatran cat does not retract. Fluffy tail is short enough, it does not exceed 20 cm.

Habitat

It is vital for the Sumatran people to have a reservoir, which is why they choose coastal areas. And not only because these cats are fans of buying and playing in the water. Features of the physiology of the species also predetermine the living conditions.

Lifestyle

The Sumatran cat, photo of which is presented in the publication, is a night hunter. The most active time for her is evening twilight and night. Excellent anglers, these animals choose the residence of the river bank, since the basis of their diet is fish. The cat's menu is also diverse frogs, small rodents, shrimp, on which the animal successfully hunts. The Sumatran cat often sits on various ripening fruits, digs out edible roots from the earth, for example, sweet potatoes. Like many feline, Sumatran cats are inveterate purgators, and, like a raccoon raccoon, they often wash the prey they have caught before arranging a meal.

Observers note the excellent sense of smell with which the cat determines where the prey is. Only after this begins the actual hunt: completely immersing his head in the water, the cat instantly grabs the fish and quickly pulls it to the shore.

Sumatran: reproduction

Sexual maturity in these animals occurs at 10 months of age. It is not known exactly, but biologists assume that the matrimonial period begins with the Sumatran spring and lasts from March to May. During this period they form married couples. Females carry kittens 50-60 days and bring from one to three blind babies. The first 3-4 months the kittens do not depart from the mother, but she looks after them until full independence, coming with the maturity of young animals.

Finally

The Sumatran cat, the description of which we tried to present, is a poorly understood species due to the living conditions and natural care of the animal. Since it is considered extremely rare, the population size can not be determined. The Sumatran cat is already listed in the Red Book, it is a vulnerable species, to meet a representative of which in natural conditions biologists today are revered for their incredible success. It can only be stated that the pollution of water with waste from various industries, the reduction of fish resources and mass cutting of mangrove forests under the arrangement of palm plantations leads to the disappearance of the habitual habitats of the cat, and consequently the livestock as a whole. However, there are evidences of adaptive abilities of these animals - they were repeatedly seen in thickets on palm plantations.