African Golden Cat

Caracal aurata, often known as the African golden cat, is a species of wild cat found only in the tropical rain forests of West and Central Africa. It is on the IUCN Red List as "Vulnerable," which means that it is in danger from things like habitat loss and bushmeat poaching. It is related to both the caracal and the serval. Prior to this, it was classified as a member of the genus Profelis.

In West and Central Africa, the African golden cat can only be found in its natural habitat: the rainforests. The animal is roughly twice as large as a house cat, with a smaller, more rounded skull.

The fur of an African golden cat can be any shade between a light slaty brown and a dark slaty brown. Some of them have patches, the colours of which vary from a faded tan to a deep black. Some of them only have spots on their stomachs and the insides of their legs. Whiter or lighter shades of colour can be found on its undersides and in the areas surrounding its eyes, cheeks, chin, and throat. The tip of its tail is black, while the rest of its tail is either extensively banded, mildly banded, or plain. Heavy spotting is more common in western members of this species' range than in eastern members. It was once believed that the red and grey phases of a species were actually distinct species rather than just colour variants of the same species. The hair of people with red skin is intensely coloured red, while the hair of those with a grey complexion is not pigmented at all in the centre. For those with a melanistic complexion, the hair is always and only black.

Behaviour of the African Golden Cat

There is a severe lack of data on the behaviour of African golden cats because of their solitary nature. They are solitary creatures who prefer the cover of night to go hunting, though depending on the availability of food in the area, they have been spotted during the day.

The African golden cat has the ability to climb, yet it prefers to hunt on the ground.

Reproduction of the African Golden Cat

Captive African golden cats have been studied to learn about their mating and birthing routines. After a pregnancy of about 75 days, the female cat gives birth to one or two kittens. Kittens range in size from 180 g to 235 g (6.3 to 8.3 oz). After a week or so of life, their eyes open, and between 6 and 8 weeks of age, they are ready to be weaned. In contrast to other small cat species, they mature and develop quickly. A baby was able to climb a 40-centimetre wall just 16 days after being born. This shows that this person had very good physical coordination from the start. By 11 months of age, females have reached sexual maturity, whereas males don't do so until around 18 months of age.

African Golden Cat Diet

Birds, small monkeys, duikers, the young of the giant forest hog, and small antelope are all fair game. They've also been known to steal livestock and chickens from farms.

The best spots in Uganda to watch the African golden cat.

Most populations of the African Golden Cat are found in humid tropical woods. However, near the range's outskirts, it enters savanna regions adjacent to riverine forests. It is also found in the alpine moorlands and forested mountains of East Africa.

All of western Uganda's national parks, with the exception of Semuliki, are home to African golden cats. Recent sightings have been made in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale National Park.