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The African Black-Footed Cat: Unveiling the Nature's Fierce Feline Hunter

Dec 15,2024 | Petbobi

When you see any documentary about fierce predators, the most common animals to come to mind are alligators, jackals, and large cats like lions, cheetahs, and tigers. It may surprise you to learn that one of the most efficient hunters known throughout the entire animal kingdom is significantly smaller in size.

The African black-footed cat is a tiny yet deadly predator with an incredible history of hunting success. It is frequently noted as the “world’s deadliest cat” by leading periodicals like Scientific American and National Geographic.

While the black-footed cat may look like a cuddly little friend to bring home, it is found out in the savannas and grasslands of Southern Africa. There, it can happily hunt prey and live out its life as a beloved character in the minds of so many conservation experts.

 

 

About the Black-Footed Cat

Only around 10,000 black-footed cats exist out in the wild. They are primarily native to more arid areas of southern Africa like Namibia and Botswana. The reason for naming the cat Felis nigripes is because of the distinctive black coloration you can easily see underneath its paws. That, and the size difference, are the primary reasons to separate the cat from other hunting experts.

 

1. Physical Traits

Among other cats, the black-footed version is much more secretive. They are nocturnal and prefer to remain out of the limelight. Being such a smaller size means other predators might consider them a snack, which is why there is an animal protection effort to keep them alive and well.

Most black-footed cats weigh between 2 and 6 pounds (about the size of a cat you’d find in your local shelter). It has a much stockier build for gunning with larger ears and round eyes, so existing during the night is easier to manage. The coat is a beautiful collection of spots and stripes that offer natural camouflage in the savanna’s tall grasses.

 

2. Personality

Don’t think for a second this cat is cute and harmless. The black-footed cat is an incredible hunter with sharp claws, strong jaws, and a build that would make most weightlifters jealous. Being smaller allows this solitary hunter to slip in and out of the tall grass, often traveling up to 20 miles a night in search of delicious creatures to eat.

Here’s the kicker – the cat has a 60% success rate when it comes to kills. That is more than any other big cat. A commitment to stealth, patience, and precision is why you can often find a diet of small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects on the menu. Most will eat around 14 small meals a night.

 

 

Fun Facts About Black-Footed Cats

While the black-footed cat is one of the smallest wildcats you’ll find on the planet, it does have some of the most interesting characteristics.

  • World’s Deadliest Cat: Most bigger cats, like lions or pumas, have a hunting success rate of 25%. The black-footed cat enjoys a 60% success rate in getting all those delicious nutrients per night.
  • Tiny Hunter: It is believed to be the smallest of all African wild cats. The kittens are so tiny that they tend to not trigger camera traps researchers use to document their placement and activities.
  • Solitary: This is a solitary hunter where both male and female cats mark their respective territories so no other cat disturbs them.
  • Vision: Most black-footed cats have night vision that is six times better than humans due to their larger eyes and impeccable hearing.
  • Coloration: The under-paws of the cat are black, and, interestingly enough, the skin is pink instead of tan like other wildcats.

One final note is that this wildcat really likes to be left alone. They tend to be hard to track due to their size and love of staying inside the grass instead of open areas for hunting.

 

 

Conservation Status and Efforts

The African black-footed cat is under animal protection. It is listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), placing it on the Red List of threatened species. Populations are declining due to habitat loss from agricultural expansion, the use of pesticides on fields, and diseases transmitted from domestic breeds. As more of the food sources for this feline are eliminated, the population will be less likely to bounce back.

That loss of territory is why you’ll find many conservation efforts like the Black-Footed Cat Working Group, founded in 2019, to perform research and boost the ecological resources of this beloved African wildcat.

Captive breeding programs are also in place across the globe. One such program involves the Hogle Zoo in Utah, USA. This effort has been a little bumpy as the beloved four-year-old male black-footed cat “Ryder” was lost due to kidney disease.

Luckily, the Hogle Zoo worked with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to secure Gaia. This is an eight-month-old female who calls the Zoo home and hopes to be partnered with a new mate in the near future.

 

 

Wrapping Up

While the famed African black-footed cat may be a small hunter, its nocturnal lifestyle and ability to see, hear, and smell prey makes it one of the most efficient killers in the world. As human activity continues to take over the natural habitats of these wildcats, the importance of stepping up conservation efforts on animal protection cannot be understated.

Only through efforts like those at the Hogle Zoo can we ensure future researchers and visitors will enjoy the delight of seeing this beautiful little hunter for decades to come.