The black-footed cat (Felis nigripes) is the smallest of all African cats, standing about 250 mm at the shoulder and weighing an average of 1.5 kg. It has a silver-yellowish spotted coat with distinctive lines running from the side of the eye to under the ear. Extremely solitary, it lives in the dry south-western areas of South Africa, resting in burrows by day and emerging at sunset to hunt.
Name
Black-footed Cat [Felis nigripes]
Appearance
Black-footed Cats are the smallest of all African cats, sizing to 250mm at shoulder height and weighs at an average 1.5kg. These cats have a silver-yellowish coat with spots all along its body. The underside of the cat is white and sometimes just a lighter shade of the main coat. The Black-footed Cat has distinctive lines that stretch from the side of its eye to under the ear. The soles of its feet are black in colour.
Diet
The Size of the Black-footed Cat restricts its diet to mainly consist out of rodents and small birds. They are also known to prey on cape hare and Korhaan.
Breeding
The Black-footed Cat has a gestation period of about 65 days where in a litter of about 2 kittens are born. They can breed up to 4 times a year. A week after being born, the mother moves the cubs to a new den. The kittens are weaned within two months and stay in their mother’s territory for a while after turning into adults.
Behaviour
Little is known about the Black-footed Cat. They are extremely solitary animals and avoid all contact with animals and people. Unlike domestic kittens, Black-footed kittens develop more quickly because of the dangers around them. Black-footed Cats spend the day resting in burrows made by springhares, aardvarks or porcupines and emerge at sunset to hunt.
Location
The Black-footed Cat is endemic to the dry areas of southern Africa, mainly South Africa, Namibia and southern Botswana.
Study Notes
The Black-footed Cat is the smallest species of cat in Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the black-footed cat eat?
Its small size restricts the black-footed cat’s diet mainly to rodents and small birds, although it is also known to prey on Cape hares and korhaans. It hunts after emerging from its daytime resting place at sunset.
Where does the black-footed cat sleep during the day?
Black-footed cats spend the day resting in burrows made by other animals, such as springhares, aardvarks or porcupines. They emerge at sunset to hunt and are extremely solitary, avoiding all contact with other animals and people.
How many kittens does a black-footed cat have?
After a gestation period of about 65 days, a black-footed cat gives birth to a litter of about two kittens. A week after the birth, the mother moves the kittens to a new den.
Do black-footed cat kittens grow up quickly?
Yes — unlike domestic kittens, black-footed kittens develop more quickly because of the dangers around them. They are weaned within two months and stay in their mother’s territory for a while after becoming adults.
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