Food: lizards, amphibians, birds and insects

Weight, height: 3~7kg, 41~50cm

How many are there?

There are 468~699 left in Taiwan

Lifespan: 4 years(wild), 20 (captivity)

You can find them resting in trees and using high ground as an advantage in hunting.

They are swimmers.

They don’t usually seen in water, but they are capable of swimming.

Their calls are blend in growls and meows unlike most domestic cats.

They are playful.

Even though they are usually alone, they show playful behavior and interaction with other animals.

They can hunt a wide range of prey. From wild to farm animals.

They can be active in day or night.

People usually consider leopard cats are nocturnal(active in night), but researchers found out sometimes they come out in the day, with males be more diurnal(active in day)then females.

Protecting leopard cats is important because as a predator on their habitat they help control prey populations including helping rodents control and maintain ecosystem balance. And as an indicator species they help humans understands habitat health they are also Taiwan’s only wild feline species.

Habitat Loss

Due to development and urbanization(in increase of people living in cities and towns) their habitat is shrinking making it harder for them to find prey and mates.

Roadkill

Leopard cats are killed by vehicles when on roads that cross their natural habitat.

Human Hunting

Even if they are not primarily target, they can get caught by traps that aren’t set for them.