critterscience
The Cute and Ferocious Black-Footed Cat
One of the smallest of Africa's wild cats and definitely the most deadly, it's the black-footed cat. These highly attuned predators have a knack for being lethal and are the most successful hunters in the wild cat kingdom. There are 2 known subspecies of black-footed cat in South Africa. They prefer steppes, open, arid-savannas, and semi-deserts with an abundance of trees and shrubs. Sadly, these little critters are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. This is due to habitat destruction, vehicle strikes, accidental poisoning, introduction of invasive species, and climate change.
First the Stats...
Scientific name: Felis nigripes
Weight: Up to 4.2 lbs.
Length: Up to 28 inches, including tail
Height: Up to 9.8 inches
Lifespan: Up to 12 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) They can walk up to 20 miles a night in search of food.
2.) These tiny critters are nocturnal (active at night).
3.) During the heat of the day, they sleep in abandoned termite mounds, unoccupied springhare, porcupine, and aardvark burrows.
4.) Black-footed cats prey on mice, insects, small reptiles, and birds; killing up to 15 creatures a night!
5.) Black-feet have a high tolerance for dehydration and get most of their water from the food they eat.
But wait, there's more on the black-footed cat!
6.) Their primary predators are domestic and feral dogs, wild dogs, caracals, and jackals.
7.) These little beasts communicate via purrs, loud calls, growls, gurgles, and hisses.
Did you know...?
The black-foo critter.science/the-cute-and-ferocious-black-footed-cat/
The Cute and Ferocious Black-Footed Cat
One of the smallest of Africa's wild cats and definitely the most deadly, it's the black-footed cat. These highly attuned predators have a knack for being lethal and are the most successful hunters in the wild cat kingdom. There are 2 known subspecies of black-footed cat in South Africa. They prefer steppes, open, arid-savannas, and semi-deserts with an abundance of trees and shrubs. Sadly, these little critters are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. This is due to habitat destruction, vehicle strikes, accidental poisoning, introduction of invasive species, and climate change.
First the Stats...
Scientific name: Felis nigripes
Weight: Up to 4.2 lbs.
Length: Up to 28 inches, including tail
Height: Up to 9.8 inches
Lifespan: Up to 12 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) They can walk up to 20 miles a night in search of food.
2.) These tiny critters are nocturnal (active at night).
3.) During the heat of the day, they sleep in abandoned termite mounds, unoccupied springhare, porcupine, and aardvark burrows.
4.) Black-footed cats prey on mice, insects, small reptiles, and birds; killing up to 15 creatures a night!
5.) Black-feet have a high tolerance for dehydration and get most of their water from the food they eat.
But wait, there's more on the black-footed cat!
6.) Their primary predators are domestic and feral dogs, wild dogs, caracals, and jackals.
7.) These little beasts communicate via purrs, loud calls, growls, gurgles, and hisses.
Did you know...?
The black-foo critter.science/the-cute-and-ferocious-black-footed-cat/