Profelis aurata

(Temminck, 1827)

Vernacular names
English : African golden cat
French : Chat doré d’Afrique

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Carnivora
Family : Felidae
Notes : 2 subspecies known. Taxonomic status still debated, sometimes included in genus Caracal.

Identification
Adults reach a body length of 1 m for a weight of 16 kg. Slender body, fairly long legs and long round face. Coloration is usually brown to grey-brown, rarely all black. Western populations have spotting and mottling around legs and flanks.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in western Africa, from Senegal to Gabon and north Angola. Species also found in central Africa from east Cameroon to Kenya. Lives in primary and secondary moist forests, often near rivers, bamboo forests.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is very poorly known but is believed to be declining throughout its range because of illegal hunting and habitat loss.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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