The rusty-spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus) is the smallest cat species in the world. They weigh only 0.9 to 1.6 kg! They inhabit the deciduous forests, tropical rainforests, and scrublands of India and Sri Lanka.
Rusty-spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus). Wild life animal. Image by wrangel via Depositphotos
Solitary life
The highly territorial rusty-spotted cat is a solitary animal. It prefers to hunt alone and only meets others of the same species only for mating purposes.
“Smallest Cat in The World: The Rusty Spotted Cat | Big Cats | BBC Earth”, Source: “YouTube”, Uploaded: “BBC Earth”
Smallest Cat’s Razor Sharp Sensors
These adorable cats should not be underestimated. They are fierce predators. Their razor sharp senses help them survive in the jungle.
Vision
Screenshot from: “Smallest Cat in The World: The Rusty Spotted Cat | Big Cats | BBC Earth”, Source: “YouTube”, Uploaded: “BBC Earth”
Their eyes are adapted for low light conditions, which is especially useful since they are nocturnal and hunt only at night.
Their large eyes give them a broad visual field, which helps them spot prey and predators from wider angles.
Hearing
They can detect a wide range of frequencies, many of which we cannot even hear. This helps them detect even the smallest of prey species.
Smell
They have a highly developed olfactory system, which helps them detect prey and communicate with scent marking.
As previously mentioned, they are highly territorial. They map out their territory using scent marking.
Touch
Their long whiskers help them navigate in the dark. They can detect tight spaces by sensing changes in air currents. They do this all with the help of their extra-long whiskers.
Conclusion: The Smallest Cat in the World
These cute creatures look like lost domestic kittens. However, they are wild and very capable little creatures. Their small size is often used to their advantage, with the ability to approach prey undetected.
Author at Animals Around The Globe. MSc Ocean Sciences & Marine Biology
Cayla comes from a small coastal town in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, near the renowned diving destination Aliwal Shoal, where her deep-seated passion for the ocean first took root. Family trips to the Kruger National Park are some of her favorite memories; there’s nothing quite like being surrounded by wildlife. These experiences inspired her to study the natural world and its creatures, a path she's been on for the past 5 years. She attained her undergraduate and honors degrees in marine biology and recently completed her master's degree in applied ocean sciences, majoring in oceanography.
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