Range – Distribution – Habitat as at June 2009
This is constantly changing i.e. shrinking. The three sources of information that I have on this come from Wikipedia, IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ (Red List) and the book, Wild Cats of the World and all differ. The book was published in 2002 so things have changed since then as there is the inevitable habitat loss due to human activity and in the case of the Asian leopard cat widespread loss of life due to “harvesting” (sorry I prefer the less euphemistic term, killing) for pelts (again a euphemism for the animal’s skin and fur). I set out the three sources, the most reliable and up to date will be the Red List map (which I cannot publish here but the one below is based on it). The maps are thumbnails, please click on them. The range is indicated in green.:
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The Red List map of the range of this cat species indicates loss of habitat or unsuitable habitat and over hunting along the coastal regions of Southern China and in the centre of India amongst other areas. This cat occupies the following countries:
Afghanistan; Bangladesh; Bhutan; Brunei Darussalam; Cambodia; China; Hong Kong; India; Indonesia (Jawa, Kalimantan, Sumatera); Japan (Nansei-shoto); Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of; Korea, Republic of; Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Malaysia; Myanmar; Nepal; Pakistan; Philippines; Russian Federation; Singapore; Taiwan, Province of China; Thailand; Viet Nam (src: Red List).
Update 19-8-09: I have created a new interactive open collaboration map using Google My Maps. The map below is a small embedded version of it. You can see a new page on this cat’s distribution and more info and pics here: Leopard cat range.
What does it look like on the ground in these regions? Take the Indonesian forest:
Thumbnail Photo: by timekin
Thanks John, I think you will struggle to find an Asian leopard cat (ASL) that is somewhat domesticated even in America.
I like your honesty. You might know that I don’t like the idea of people keeping wild cats as pets. I am not alone in that thought. However, you are honest about it and you asked not to be lectured about it so I won’t do it. However, you might like to read the articles which are linked to below before trying to go ahead. I can remember reading an article in the Feline Conservation Federation magazine written by a person who kept, as I recall, more than one Asian leopard cat in an outside enclosure. He knew this wild cat species pretty well and he knew the temperament of this cat. He described the cat is highly independent and essentially unsuited to domestication. You can make of that what you will but I do remember that article and this particular species of wild cat is one that is probably the most unsuited to domestication. Others such as the margay and serval are known to be more suited.
https://pictures-of-cats.org/wildcat-parents-of-domestic-cats.html
http://cat-chitchat.pictures-of-cats.org/2014/05/serval-lynx-bobcat-and-asian-leopard.html
https://pictures-of-cats.org/f1-bengal-cat-callista-strike-force.html (this is a F1 Bengal cat – half ASL and half domestic cat)
That’s phx761@yahoo.com, in case it was blocked out above.
All that I want, is a purebred Asian Leopard Cat ,….in the 9 1/2, 10 to pound range, for a ((pet))! I already have a Bangel and he has been a pet for about (14) years, so I know a ‘Bangle’, being called an Asian Leopard Cat, in my sleep, lol, lol. Both of my Cousins have Female Mountain Lions, as pets and one frequently lets his kids play around them, etc. No, I don’t want the ‘lecture’ about it,my mom also has a Tabby/Bobcat, from Tucson and I’m not going to tell you where the ornery brat’s at! All that I want is a ((purebred Asian Leopard Cat Cub or young Male)). any volunteers???????????????????????