Communication is by:
- non vocal: spraying (scent marking) and scrapes
- vocal: growl, hiss, spit, meow, purr and gurgle (cat sounds)
Reproduction:
- Gestation: 60-70 days
- Litter: 2-3 kittens (75-130 grams each)
- Dens are tree hollows, between rocks etc.
Subspecies
The cat in the picture above is the Tsushima Cat that lives only on the Tsushima Island in the Korea Strait. The population is vulnerable and this sub-species has been reduced to an estimated 70 and 90 cats as at 1997. This cat was first regarded as a separate species, later as a subspecies of the Leopard cat, and now as a variety of the Manchurian subspecies, P. b. euptailurus — see below in red (src: Wikipedia).
- Prionailurus bengalensis chinensis, China, Taiwan, Philippines
- Prionailurus bengalensis alleni, Hainan Island (China)
- Prionailurus bengalensis bengalensis, India, Bangladesh, Southeast Asian mainland, Yunnan
- Prionailurus bengalensis javanensis, Java
- Prionailurus bengalensis borneoensis, Borneo (Borneo is being denuded of forest cover for logging)
- Prionailurus bengalensis sumatranus, Sumatra (Sumatra is also being denuded of forest by the huge paper pulp companies with the endorsement of the government, which is destroying the Sumatran tiger. Also see Sumatran tiger attacks (new window).
- Prionailurus bengalensis euptailurus, eastern Siberia, Mongolia, Manchuria
- Prionailurus bengalensis heaneyi, Palawan island, Philippines
- Prionailurus bengalensis horsfieldi, Himalaya
- Prionailurus bengalensis rabori, Philippines (Negros, Cebu, and Panay)
- Prionailurus bengalensis trevelyani, eastern Pakistan
The Iriomote Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis ssp. iriomotensis) although once considered a separate species, genetic analysis confirms that it is a subspecies. It lives exclusively on the tiny island of Iriomote.
There would seem to be some uncertainty as to the number of subspecies as the Red List “includes” five.
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ Assessment
The Asian leopard cat is classified as Least Concern (LC). Humans have the same classification.
The justification for this classification is:
- the cat is widespread and relatively common (claimed as at 1996 and 2002 – Sunquist and Sunquist Wild Cats of the World authors)
- species is stable in many areas and thriving in some altered habitats (e.g. plantations)
That’s phx761@yahoo.com, in case it was blocked out above.
Thanks John, I think you will struggle to find an Asian leopard cat (ASL) that is somewhat domesticated even in America.
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???????????????????????
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)