TREVORS ANIMAL OF THE DAY APRIL 10, 2014 Felis nigripes. This is the black-footed cat. Its one of the smallest species of wild cat in the world, just slightly larger than the sand cat (Felis margarita). Its also the smallest of all the African cats. They are endemic to southern Africa, in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and southern Angola. They are found primarily in the Karoo semi-arid region, in open savannas, and shrub-covered areas. Unlike their smaller cousin, the sand cat, theyre not found in super-dry arid deserts. F. nigripes foot pads and underparts are black, hence the name (nigripes: lit. black foot). They are not very well studied due to their limited range and their elusive nature. They are nocturnal animals, choosing to hide in the day in empty burrows made by other animals like aardvarks and porcupines, only coming out at night to hunt, mainly insects, small rodents, and birds. They are extremely introverted and unsociable animals, always seeking refuge at the slightest disturbance. Theyre also very tenacious animals, using every advantage they can get, including their natural camouflage, the dark, and lying low in bushes. They are known to be extremely dangerous when cornered. Unfortunately, due to habitat destruction and hunting, they are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and is listed in CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) Appendix I. See this amazing, cute, (and dangerous) critter in action! https://youtube/watch?v=KUU2mS0o870 FUN FACT. DID YOU KNOW? 1. Bushman legend says that the black-footed cat is able to kill a giraffe, by jumping high and biting on the giraffes jugular. 2. They thrive pretty well in captivity. Heres a video of a cute little black-footed kitten at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. https://youtube/watch?v=yNZ8CFnDBfs #animals #cats #Africa #cute #endangered
Posted on: Thu, 10 Apr 2014 04:41:34 +0000
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