Pardofelis marmorata (Martin, 1837)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2009, Felidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 1 Carnivores, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 54-168 : 141

8.

Marbled Cat

Pardofelis marmorata

French: Chat marbré / German: Marmorkatze / Spanish: Gato jaspeado

Taxonomy. Felis marmorata Martin, 1837 ,

Sumatra.

Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

P.m. marmorata Martin, 1837 — Continental SE Asia, from SW China to Malaysia, and islands of Sumatra and Borneo.

P.m. charltoni Gray, 1846 — Sub-Himalayan region, from Nepal to Mynamar.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 45-62 cm, tail 35.6-55 cm. Few weights available, but 2-5 kg is likely range. Aboutthe size of a domestic cat, with an extremely long, bushytail, which may be almost as long as head-body. When standing or resting,this cat assumes a characteristic position with its back arched. Furis thick, color variable from gray-brown to yellowish gray and reddish brown. The sides and back are marbled with large, dark-edged blotches that vary in size and spacing. Tail is spotted throughout and legs are spotted. Face is short and broad, and the short, rounded ears have a central white spot on back.

Habitat. A forest dwelling species, primarily in moist evergreen forests. Also reported from hill-evergreen-bamboo mixed forest in Thailand, mixed deciduous forest in Thailand, lowland primary rain forest and secondary forests in Peninsula Malaysia, in clearings in dipterocarp forests in Sarawak, and in six-year-old logged forest in Sabah.

Food and Feeding. Anecdotal evidence suggests that birds form a major part of this cat’s diet. Probably preys on squirrels, rats, and frogs. In captivity, this cat is an adept climber and on two occasions when it was seen in the wild, it was in a tree. The long tail and broad feet suggest the cat is adapted for an arboreallifestyle, but nothing known of its hunting behavior in the wild.

Activity patterns. Apparently nocturnal. No more information available.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Nothing known.

Breeding. Very limited information, only from captivity. Two litters of two kittens each. Gestation estimated at 66-82 days.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. Rare throughout its range. Little known of the species biology, distribution, and status.

Bibliography. Barnes (1976), Grassman & Tewes (2000, 2002), Lekagul & McNeely (1991), Nowell & Jackson (1996), Payne et al. (1985), Pocock (1932b), Sunquist & Sunquist (2002).

Figures

8. Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata), 9. Bay Cat (Catopuma badia), 10. Asian Golden Cat (Catopuma temminckii), 11. Serval (Leptailurus serval), 12. African Golden Cat (Profelis aurata), 13. Caracal (Caracal caracal)

Subspecies and Distribution. P.m. marmorata Martin, 1837 — Continental SE Asia, from SW China to Malaysia , and islands of Sumatra and Borneo. P.m. charltoni Gray, 1846 — Sub-Himalayan region, from Nepal to Mynamar.