LEOPARD CAT

      # LEOPARD CAT #

 # Local name :

 >  Chaktavali biladi, Cheetah biladi. 

        # Physical measurements and life cycle :

 > Length      : 60 cm 

 > Tail lenght : 15-40 cm

                       : ( About the size  of the domestic cat )

 > Weight      : 4-5 kg

 > Height      : 30-35 cm

 > Maturity     : 18 months

 > Gestation   : 65-72 year 

 > Litter size  : 3-5

 > Longevity : 10-15 year 

 > Breeding   : Throughout the year, especially summer

       # Description :

 > Upper parts yellowish and the under parts are white, with black to dark brown sports and blotches throughout the body giving appearance of a miniature of panther of a miniature of panther, tail appears barred with black

        # Food :

 > Hares, birds, reptiles, rodent , fishes.

         # Discribution : 

 > Narmada district, shoolpaneshwar sanctuary

        # Habitat :

 > Prefers open patches within dense forest.

         # Behaviour :

 > Nocturnal in habit, takes shelter in holloes of trees, preys upon small mammals and  birds,  quire shy.

          # Signs of presence

 > Pugmarks ( smaller than leopard's  2 to 3 cm wide ), voice / call, killing of poultry on the outskirt of villages. 

 > It has been recorder that if the Leopard cat is kept and reared as a pet in very young age, it would return to its owner even if driven away Breeding between domestic cat and Leopard cat has also been recorded.