Name: Black-Footed Cat (Felis Nigripes) – Small Cat

Size: 1.5 - 2 kg average

Distribution: Black-footed cats are located in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Southern Angola. Their habitat includes arid bush lands and semi-deserts. They are also known to live in disused insect mounds, which has led to its South African nickname of ‘ant hill tiger’. Little is known about the real status of the black-footed cat in the wild. There are several man-made threats to their survival. Poison and traps intended for African wildcat and jackal has affected the black-footed cat. A similar threat is the poisoning of locusts, which the black-footed cat may feed. Other concerns are the loss of grasslands, habitat deterioration and interbreeding.

Description: One of the smallest species of cat, the black-foot has a dense coat which varies in color, from sandy brown to a reddish brown, with large brown to black spots, which can merge into bands or rings. The name of this species is taken from its feet, the undersides being black covered in long black hair. Primarily nocturnal hunters, they feed on small rodents and reptiles. They are also known to eat beetles and spiders.

Lifespan: 13 years