Rusty-Spotted Cat

tiny cat · endangered · Asia · spotted

Smallest cat family member. The rusty-spotted cat is one of the tiniest cats in the entire cat family, making it just as small as some pet house cats or even smaller.

Lives in Asia. These little cats are found in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, where they hunt in deciduous forests that lose their leaves each year.

Rusty red spots. The cat gets its name from the reddish-brown rusty spots that cover its fur, which help it blend in with the forest floor.

Losing its home. Since 2016, this cat has been listed as Near Threatened because the forests where it lives are being cut down and destroyed.

Night hunter. Like many small wild cats, the rusty-spotted cat is most active at night, hunting small animals under the cover of darkness.