Black-footed cat
Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 11:52 am
The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre has some exciting news; the birth of two black footed cat kittens!
The black footed cat is Africa’s smallest wild cat and although only listed as vulnerable on IUCN Red List, they are rarely seen owing to their strictly nocturnal nature. Though small in size, the black footed cat has the personality of a tiger and can even catch and kill prey larger than itself, such as the Cape hare.
As the threats to their survival include indiscriminate methods of predator control, habitat destruction and depletion of prey, it is incredibly important that a viable captive breeding population is established and maintained – unfortunately, black footed cats are difficult to keep and even more difficult to breed. That is why the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre is incredibly proud and privileged to announce the birth of two black footed cat kittens!
This is the first time in six years that the centre has successfully bred with these beautiful cats.
The black footed cat is Africa’s smallest wild cat and although only listed as vulnerable on IUCN Red List, they are rarely seen owing to their strictly nocturnal nature. Though small in size, the black footed cat has the personality of a tiger and can even catch and kill prey larger than itself, such as the Cape hare.
As the threats to their survival include indiscriminate methods of predator control, habitat destruction and depletion of prey, it is incredibly important that a viable captive breeding population is established and maintained – unfortunately, black footed cats are difficult to keep and even more difficult to breed. That is why the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre is incredibly proud and privileged to announce the birth of two black footed cat kittens!
This is the first time in six years that the centre has successfully bred with these beautiful cats.
