African Golden Cat facts reference: Wild Cats of the World by Luke Hunter (2015) based on the latest scientific research. The relatively short tail has a dark line along the top, may have some bands and ends in a dark tip. Both species belong to the family Felidae . In Cameroon, pygmy tribes carry an African golden cat’s tail when hunting elephants to guarantee good fortune, and their skin is used during circumcision rituals in some areas. African golden cat is a type of wild cat that inhabits western and central parts of Africa. African golden cat (Caracal aurata) Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 202523358 Helping the African golden cat discovered in Mpem et Djim National Park in Cameroon, to persist in challenging livelihood Then on Saturday May 18, a young female African golden cat, in golden morph, was hit and killed on the main tarmac road not far from Kieni forest station on the southern end of the Aberdares. African golden cat attacks monkey in Uganda. African golden cat (Profelis aurata / Caracal aurata) Although among African tribes it became a subject of numerous superstitions, scientists know little about it. THE SEARCH. Please check your email for further instructions. The African golden cat (Caracal aurata) is a medium-sized cat.This cat was previously listed as Profelis aurata.It weighs about 28 kg (62 lb) on average.The underside of its chest and chin are normally light-colored. African golden cat (Caracal aurata) Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 13255598. African golden cats have fur that varies in color from golden-brown and red-brown to grey. African Golden Cat Reproduction African Golden Cats are very difficult to study in their habitat of dense forests of Central Africa, so there is minimal research on these cats. The body length of an African golden cat averages 31 inches long, with a 12 inch tail. They have a semi-complete postorbital closure and small anterior premolars. The African golden cat (Caracal aurata) is a wild cat endemic to the rainforests of West and Central Africa. Found in the tropical forest region in Africa, the golden cat seems able to live in almost every type of forest (primary forest, secondary vegetation, recently logged forest with dense understory, and riverine forest). 1 Description 2 Habitat 3 Food 4 Behavior 5 Related The African golden cat has variable fur color, typically ranging from cinnamon or reddish-brown to grey, although melanistic forms also exist. The most important prey species are thought to be small mammals up to about 11lbs, primarily mice, rats, squirrels, and African Brush-tailed Porcupines as well as insectivores such as shrews and sengis. An African golden cat is about twice the size of a large domestic cat. It’s the only African wild cat that’s a rainforest animal, living in the tropical forests of West and Central Africa. A similar phenomenon may occur in the natural environment. This cat was previously listed as Profelis aurata. Hunting and Diet: The primary prey of this cat is small to mid-sized mammals consisting of tree hyraxes, … African Golden cats are the only forest-dependent wild cat in Africa, and their least known felid. 2015 Feline Unseen: The African Golden Cat. Please enable JavaScript on your browser to best view this site. The African golden cat is a solitary animal mostly living alone. African golden cat recorded by camera trap in the Chinko/Mbari basin, CAR in the early morning. It is about 80 cm long, and has a tail of about 30 cm in length. African Golden Cat has the characteristic features of a solid and strong body, has long and big legs, small head and short tail. Although formerly present in North America, this mono-colored felid lacks conservation need in nature and competes poorly against similar-sized spotted cats of Africa. Three litters born in captivity all numbered 2 kittens. It is one of the world's least‐studied felids and is considered rare in most of its geographic range. The African golden cat (Caracal aurata) has traditionally been included in the genus Felis or Profelis.More recent molecular analysis has shown that the African golden cat is most closely related to the caracal (Caracal caracal) and the serval (Leptailurus serval). African Golden Cat (Profelis aurata) is wild cat that lives in tropical forests in Kenya, Senegal, Central African Republic and Angola. • Early taxonomists had described the golden and grey morphs African golden cat as two species. African golden cats feed on small animals including monkeys, duikers, hyraxes, rats, birds and sometimes domestic animals in areas near human settlement. According to a recent paper published in the journal of East African Natural History by Thomas Butynski, Helen Douglas-Dufresne and Yvonne de Jong, the only currently verifiable record of the African golden cat in Kenya is a skin at the National Museums of Kenya. African Golden Cat Conservation. In captivity, African Golden Cats have lived up to 12 years. ). Although it has been suggested that the African golden cat is arboreal, This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The cats are reclusive, small wild cats that can be found in tropical rainforests. The cat has a stocky build, with a head that is considerably smaller than its body. Spotting is also highly variable, ranging from large, rosette-like blotches to faint freckling or an abundance of markings altogether except on the underparts. It is a robust animal and it weighs between 8 to 16 kg. The African golden cat (Profelis aurata) is little known by science, but is the subject of much tribal superstition in many parts of Africa. Background fur colour is highly variable but clusters into two distinct colour forms, reddish-brown and grey; both are highly variable ranging from sandy-brown to mahogany-brown, and silver grey to blue-grey. The following organizations are involved in wildlife research and conservation in Africa. African golden cat can be found in tropical rainforests, bamboo forests and cloud forests at the altitude of up to 9.800 feet. African golden cat recorded by camera trap in the Chinko/Mbari basin, CAR in the early morning. It is a close relative of both the caracal and the serval. The African golden cat’s fur is short and has a golden, grey or red colour which can change over time. Scientific Name: Caracal aurata, also Profelis aurata. ). The fur pattern of the African golden cat can vary significantly within and between regions. African golden cats live in the rainforests of West and Central Africa, mostly in forested areas. 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