Prionailurus bengalensis bengalensis

(Kerr, 1792)

Vernacular names
English : Common leopard cat, Mainland leopard cat
French : Chat léopard du Bengale

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Carnivora
Family : Felidae
Notes : 10 other subspecies known. A taxonomic revision that isn’t widely accepted yet has split this species in at least two distinct species, mainland and Sunda, with only two subspecies recognized for the mainland species. We choose to follow the old arrangement here, like most online sources.

Identification
Body length up to 66 cm, shoulder height up to 40 cm, weight up to 3.8 kg for tropical populations. Fur mostly beige to fawn with rows of black spots on back, limbs and flanks. Belly and breast white. Black and white markings and bands on cheeks. Two black bands running from eyes to ears, elongated white spots in front of eyes.

Range and habitat
This subspecies lives in east India, south China, most of Indochina and south to Singapore. The species is also found in Taiwan, central and north China, Japan, Hainan, Philippines and greater Sundas. Its main habitat is tropical evergreen forest but the species is known to thrive in plantations as well.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species has a very large range and seems to be at least locally common. Deforestation is a threat for the species in most of its range and it is also regularly poached for its fur and for the pet trade. At this time though, the global population of this species remains stable but some insular subspecies are likely threatened.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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