Mammals · Carnivora · Felidae

Mainland Leopard Cat

Prionailurus bengalensis

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

It is the wild ancestor of the hybrid domestic breed known as the Bengal cat, created by crossing it with domestic cats in the mid-20th century.

Weight

1.5 kg – 7 kg

Size

45 cm – 90 cm

Lifespan

15 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

RainforestTemperate forestCarnivore Nocturnal Solitary Feline Rainforest Temperate forest Mammal

22countries 5parks39same family

Fun facts

It is one of the most widely distributed wild cats in Asia.
It eats small rodents, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
It lives in tropical, temperate and coniferous forest across much of southern, South East and eastern Asia.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Tropical, temperate and coniferous forest across much of southern, South East and eastern Asia
Birth weight: 75-130 g at birth, eyes closed
Size at birth: 75-130 g at birth
Sexual maturity: 8-18 months depending on the source
Gestation / incubation: 60-72 days
Litter / clutch size: 1 to 4 young per litter (average 2.5)
Lifespan in captivity: Documented record of up to 17 years

Sources consulted: iNaturalist; AnAge (genomics.senescence.info); Animal Diversity Web; DinoAnimals.com; A-Z Animals; Wild Cats Magazine; Virtual Zoo; Wikipedia (Leopard cat); Katien Safari