Origin
The Asian Golden Wildcat (Felis temmincki) is part of the order Carnivora, family Felidae. It is endemic (meaning it lives only there) to the island of Borneo.
Together with other animals they make up the fauna of Southeast Asia. It has also been introduced to the forests of southern China and the island of Sumatra. It prefers deciduous forests, but also hilly and plain areas, it is often reported at high altitudes up to 3000m.
Unfortunately this species has become rare because it has been hunted intensively, its meat being considered a real delicacy in Chinese gastronomy. His bones have been used to make preparations in traditional Chinese medicine.
The scientific name Felis temmincki was given to him in honor of the Dutch naturalist Coenraad Jacob Temminck who described the African golden cat in 1827. It can also be found in literature and other foreign writings under one of the names: Asian golden cat, Temminck's cat, Chat De Temminck, Chat Dore d'asie, Gato Dorado Asiatico.
In some regions of Thailand, the golden cat is called the fire tiger. According to a local legend, if you set fire to the fur of a golden Asian cat, you drive away the Tigers or keep them away. If you eat its meat, which is considered a delicacy, it protects you.
Golden Cat Food
The golden cat hunts small animals and large animals up to the size of a smaller deer. It is an animal that prefers to stay in anonymity, avoids the day, but if needed goes out in search of prey in the twilight or early morning.
He hunts birds, that means he climbs the tree after them, he is a very good climber, like any cat, reptiles, rodents, and others.
The largest animal hunted by the golden cat is the Ghoral (Chinese gazelle-like animal).
Appearance Golden Cat
The golden cat is relatively large and has an impressive appearance despite its small head and rather small ears. The ears are slightly rounded and covered with thick hair. The nose is black. The robust and powerful snout has 28 teeth, compared to 30 as a domestic cat.
Dark eyes see very well both day and night. Whiskers are very important for felines, besides smell with them orient themselves in space or realize if they fit through small places.
Smooth fur consists of short hair of golden-brown-reddish color. Hence the name of the golden cat. The dorsal part, that is, the back, is darker in color, the tips of the ears are black, and the belly is much lighter, almost white.
It is a medium-sized animal. The body length is up to one meter, the height is about 55cm, and the weight is between 10 and 16kg. The tail is 48-55cm long. It is twice the size of a domestic cat.
- Felis temmincki temmincki (from Nepal to Malaysia and Indo-China )
- Felis temmincki dominicanorum (south of China )
- Felis temmincki tristis (Fontainier's cat; Tibet and Burma )
Behavior Golden Cat
Both sexes, both male and female, mark their territory with urine and scrapes left on tree trunks. There are many stories and legends about this cat.
It is said that she is very brave and that once she managed to face a tiger, the most fierce predator animal. Locals believe in the power of the golden cat and say that even a hair protects you from attacks by other cats.
They are nocturnal animals, but can also be seen at dusk or in the morning in search of food. The territory of a male extends over almost 50 square km, and the size increases by 15% in the rainy season. Females have a territory of over 30km square. The golden cat walks almost 10km daily.
When needed, they also climb trees. It hunts birds, rodents, reptiles and other mammals up to the size of a smaller deer. There is evidence that he successfully hunted, despite his size, a goral. The Goral is a Chinese hoofed mammal that resembles the Antelope.
In captivity the golden cat kills its prey with the typical feline bite. Sounds are almost the classic ones as in all felines: purr, meow, growl, etc.everything that is encountered in a domestic cat but something stronger.
The greatest threat to the golden cat is man. Habitat destruction, illegal trade and over-hunting for meat endanger this species. Besides man, he has other natural enemies. These are sheep, goats and buffaloes.
Breeding Golden Cat
The golden cat is a solitary animal, except during the breeding season. The female chooses her vision according to her needs, and if she does not find anything to please her that satisfies her need for safety and cofort, she digs her own vision.
The gestation period is 75-80 days. After this period gives birth to 1-3 Cubs weighing 250 grams. At birth the Cubs are blind and totally dependent on the mother.
After a week they begin to see, and after two they begin to walk on their feet.
The golden cat reaches sexual maturity between 18 and 24 months. After 2 years they become independent.
Life expectancy is 12 years in captivity and 20 years in the wild.
