Seaside reed cat. Amur forest cat (Far Eastern leopard cat). Amur forest cat: breeding

Forest cat or otherwise Anterior Asian leopard cat. This amazing animal lives in the cold conditions of our Far East. It is surprising because this animal is tropical and lives among our Russian snows. A wild cat, like a fox, is tied to its living space or its habitat. He does not leave his inhabited territory even in moments of the greatest danger. On the Far East the cat is very common in both broad-leaved and coniferous forests. But he also lives in the steppe with pleasure. It should be noted that the population of the Far Eastern cat in last years has grown very much.

Interestingly, back in the twenties of the last century, the Soviet authorities in the Far East declared these animals "enemies of the people", as well as tigers, leopards, wolves. And for fifty, or even seventy years, a man hunted not to eat, and not to make a collar, but simply to kill and please the authorities. But this animal survived. And in general, it is distinguished by "longevity". Seventeen or eighteen years of life for a cat is far from the limit. It is believed that this is because his life is exceptionally measured, he is never in a hurry anywhere. And in those moments when he is resting, his metabolism and heart rate slow down. This greatly prolongs his days for him. As for force majeure in the life of a cat, these are undoubtedly those creatures who want to kill and eat him. These are owls, owls, wolves, and even sable eats with pleasure juvenile Far Eastern cat scooping helpless blind kittens out of their nest.

The whole life of this interesting animal is divided into two seasons: winter and summer. In summer it “lives”, and in winter it “exists”. Far Eastern cat- a beautiful and cruel hunter, as they say "there is no beast worse than a cat." In the summer he eats fifteen or twenty mice and three or four birds a day. And in winter, he can live for weeks without eating anything. He sits in a shelter and waits until a rodent runs there and grabs him there. During the summer season, he, like a bear, must eat up in order to take up lying down behind some branches or under a tree in winter. And there he can sit for weeks, tucking his paws and wait out the cold. At these moments, his whole “tropical” orientation simply screams that snow and cold are not for him. In winter, the haul-out of this predatory animal can be covered with deep snow and can only be detected by steam, which penetrates through small holes in the snow. The cat is distinguished by enviable patience. He is not embarrassed by the prospect of sitting by a mouse hole, for example, for four days, or hiding from someone and sitting there for two weeks. Maybe that's why his life is so little studied, so little unraveled by man. And, perhaps, that is why this representative of the cat family is practically not kept in any zoo.
One of distinctive external signs Far Eastern forest cats are longitudinal stripes on the muzzle. Everyone has wild representatives this subspecies, such a line is present and is an adaptation to environment. In summer, the dense crowns of the Ussuri mixed taiga scatter glare everywhere. And here, in the glaring sunlight, the stripes are a reliable disguise.

Wild Asian cats in spring come close to the villages and even enter the villages with the aim cover the local village cats. And many succeed: hybrids are born as a result. These kittens then do not rummage, go into the forest, and begin to lead wild image life. This factor poses the greatest danger to the existence of this species, since subsequently, wild cats mate with these hybrids - the blood mixes, and the species may simply be lost forever.

Total pregnancy in wild cats lasts 60-70 days and 3-4 blind kittens are born. The coloration of kittens differs from that of adults. They have stripes and spots on their backs, which are more contrasting on the skin. In general, distinguish Far Eastern forest cat from all the others quite easily: they have light spots on the back of their ears. These signs are also present in kittens. But not many other colors. Not so whitish, more yellow-lemon.

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The Far Eastern cat (lat. Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus or lat. Felis bengalensis euptilura) is a subspecies of the Bengal cat. Another name is "Amur Leopard Cat".

Slightly larger than a domestic cat. The length of his body is 75-90 cm, tail - 35-37 cm, weight 4-6 kg. The main coat color of the upper side is light grayish-yellow or dull grayish-brown with scattered round dark red spots. Distributed in the Far East, in the Amur River basin and along the coast Sea of ​​Japan. Near Lake Khanka, the cat was found throughout the habitable area. It lives in the Bolshekhekhtsirsky, Khankaisky, Ussuriysky, Kedrovaya Pad, Lazovsky reserves.

Interestingly, Far Eastern cats make very specific sounds, more like not the usual meow or purr, but some kind of bird chirping. Usually these animals are silent, but during the rut they begin to “chirp” quite often, although their voice is not heard at a great distance, and, apparently, does not play a big role in attracting a potential bride or groom, as, for example, lynxes do.

yes, it is interesting that the Far Eastern forest cat has such distinctive features as light spots on the back of the ears, and their color is simply amazing and it distinguishes this breed from other representatives of the cat family…..

The Far Eastern, or Amur, forest cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) is a well-defined and northernmost subspecies of the Bengal, leopard, or Far Eastern cat (Prionailurus bengalensis).

Order: Carnivora Bowdich, 1821 = Carnivora Family: Felidae Gray, 1821 = Felidae, cats Genus: Felis Linnaeus, 1758 = Cats Species: Felis bengalensis euptilura Elliot, 1871 = Amur cat, Asian Far Eastern cat

Amur forest cat Felis bengalensis euptilura

A species with a relatively limited within Russia, rapidly decreasing range and decreasing numbers.

Body length 75-90 cm, tail - 35-37. Inhabitant of the forest zone.

Spreading. In Russia, the range of the species includes most territories of Primorsky Krai, some southern regions Khabarovsk Territory and Amur region

The Far Eastern cat (lat. Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus or lat. Felis bengalensis euptilura) is a subspecies of the Bengal cat. Another name is "Amur Leopard Cat". Slightly larger than a domestic cat. The length of his body is 75-90 cm, tail - 35-37 cm, weight 4-6 kg. The main coat color of the upper side is light grayish-yellow or dull grayish-brown with scattered round dark red spots. Distributed in the Far East, in the Amur River basin and along the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan. Near Lake Khanka, the cat was found throughout the habitable area. It lives in the Bolshekhekhtsirsky, Khankaisky, Ussuriysky, Kedrovaya Pad, Lazovsky reserves. It feeds on mice, voles, squirrels, birds, occasionally attacks hares and young roe deer. Mating takes place in March. Pregnancy lasts 65-70 days, the cat brings up to four kittens, in the upbringing of which the male also takes part. Life expectancy is 17-18 years.

The Far Eastern Forest Cat is larger than a domestic cat
The main coat color of the upper side is light grayish-yellow or dull grayish-brown with scattered rounded dark red spots of a clear or indistinct outline.

The back is slightly darker than the sides. The sides gradually lighten downwards. Three brown stripes stretch along the back, which are formed by elongated narrow spots. Sometimes all three bands are vague and merge into one wide belt.
Inhabits the deaf cat mountain forests, partly thickets of bushes, feeds on small rodents, sometimes attacks hares, young roe deer. In snowy winters, he is forced to stay close to human habitation.

Mating takes place in early spring. Pregnancy lasts 65-70 days. Kittens usually appear in the second half of May

The most difficult period in the life of a Far Eastern cat is winter. The cat does not have any adaptations for survival in difficult winter conditions Far East. Thin short paws do not allow you to quickly move through deep snow without crust. Often the cat cannot move at all, falling into the snow. At this time, cats are desperately hungry, sometimes for weeks. The only salvation of the Far Eastern cat is the storage of fat for the winter. With a normal weight of 5.5 kg in summer, by winter the cat weighs about 9 kg, turning into a fat ball.

The main coat color of the upper side is light grayish-yellow or dull grayish-brown with scattered round dark red spots. Distributed in the Far East, in the Amur River basin and along the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan.

I wonder why, in the twenties of the last century, the Soviet authorities in the Far East declared these animals "enemies of the people", because this is an ordinary small animal. why did he not please the Soviet government?

It's good to hunt such an animal. It's not for you to shoot hares. The beast is cunning.

Amur forest cats are the smallest among Asian cats, they are only slightly larger than domestic cats. The size of the body together with the tail is about 90 centimeters, while the tail is long - about 40 centimeters. Females weigh 2.5-3 kilograms, while males are larger - 3-4 kilograms.

Amur forest cat (Felis euptilura, Prionailurus euptilura) lives in Russia: In the Khabarovsk and Primorsky Territories. They also live in China, Japan, Nepal, Burma, the Korean Peninsula, Sumatra, Pakistan, Bali, Java and Borneo. More Amur forest cats called Amur cats, Far Eastern forest cats, leopard cats of Tsushima and Amur leopard cats. And scientifically, this animal is considered a subspecies (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus).

He has relatively long legs, small head, thin tail. The hairline is lush, thick, soft. The length of the guide guard hairs on the back reaches 49 millimeters. The main coat color of the upper side is light grayish-yellow or dull grayish-brown with scattered rounded dark red spots of a blurry or clear outline. The back of the Far Eastern forest cat is slightly darker than the sides. The sides gradually lighten downwards. Three brown stripes stretch along the back of the leopard cat, these stripes are formed by elongated narrow spots. It happens that all three bands are vague and merge into one wide belt. There are four to five rusty-brown transverse stripes on the cat's throat, rows of spots also form transverse stripes on the front legs. The belly is off-white with a yellow tinge. The Chinese call this species "money cat", because the spots on his coat are reminiscent of old Chinese coins. From the inner corners of the eyes, up the forehead and further along the crown of the head, two white stripes run parallel, between which there is a reddish-brown stripe running from the nose through the forehead and crown to the neck. The tail is dark gray, sometimes one-color, more often it has up to seven black-gray incomplete rings. The tip of the tail is pure black or dark grey.

This species of wild cats is common in the Far East, along the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan and in the Amur River basin. The range of the Far Eastern forest cat extends through all of China, west to Hindustan and south to the Malay Archipelago.

The Far Eastern forest cat inhabits deaf mountain forests, partly thickets of shrubs.

The Far Eastern forest cat leads the twilight and night image life. It is shy and very cautious, it is difficult to detect it. Hunts from ambush (on the ground and trees), catches prey with one jump.

AT winter time migrates from mountains to river and lake valleys, hilltops covered with dense shrubs (where the snow is blown away by the wind and is well compacted).

AT very coldy can approach human habitation and hunt synanthropic rodents in old buildings. In times of danger, it is saved in the trees.

Shelter arranges in the hollows of old trees and rock crevices hidden in dense shrubs. Willingly uses the abandoned holes of foxes and badgers. The bottom of the den is lined with dry grass and foliage, wood dust.

Excellent climbs on rocks and trees, swims well.

The Amur forest cat has several temporary shelters on the site, which he periodically visits. In winter, it uses only one permanent and most secure lair.

The Far Eastern Forest Cat lives in pairs or alone. It is only during the breeding season that several cats come together.

An individual site of one individual occupies on average 5-9 km2 and depends on the abundance of prey.

Life expectancy in nature is 15-18 years.

It feeds on small rodents: voles, mice, squirrels, also catches birds, sometimes attacks hares, young roe deer. The diet is often supplemented with herbs, eggs, birds and aquatic prey.

In snowy winters, the Amur leopard cat is forced to stay close to human habitation.

mating at Far Eastern cats occurs in early spring - in March.

Pregnancy in females lasts 65-70 days. Usually kittens appear in the second half of May. There are 1-2 (sometimes up to 4) blind and helpless kittens in the litter, weighing 75-80 g. Eyes open on the 10th day. The female actively protects the kittens and, in case of danger, takes them to another place. When the kittens are 45-50 days old, they begin to leave the den and explore the surrounding area. At 4-4.5 months, the weight of young cats reaches 3.2 kg, females up to 2.4 kg. At the age of 6 months (October-November), kittens leave their mother in search of their hunting ground. Puberty occurs according to some data at 8-10 months, according to others only by 18 months.

The cat-father also takes part in the upbringing of kittens.

The forest Far Eastern cat can be kept both directly in the house as pet, and as an aviary animal in an aviary.

For home content it is better to pick up a kitten up to 3 months old, grown in home-type nurseries. But even in this case, upon reaching puberty, the cat can become uncontrollable.

Amur leopard cat is quite well tamed to the tray. Usually a cat gets used to certain family members, and shuns other people.

The Far Eastern Forest Cat is listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, the CITES Convention (Appendix II). The population has been growing in recent years.

Amir, along with the Far Eastern leopard Elisha, is one of the first representatives of cats in our zoo. He is unsociable, closed, but at night he behaves like a small cat. Last year, a female Mira was brought to him. He already had a negative experience with females. But this time they have been side by side for six months. Amir and Mira got used to each other, and the most interesting thing is that they communicate only at night.

animal photos

About the type of animal

The Amur forest cat is a variety of the Bengal cat. It differs from an ordinary domestic cat, first of all, in size: the body of a Far Eastern cat can reach 90 centimeters in length, a tail - 37 centimeters, and a weight - 6 kilograms. The coat of such a cat is grayish-yellow with dark red spots.

Distinctive features of the Far Eastern forest cat:

• He is shy and extremely cautious, it is almost impossible to catch him.
• The Amur cat is an excellent swimmer and climbs rocks and trees.
• Far Eastern cats hunt from ambush and overtake prey in one jump.
• Amur cat lives in nature up to 18 years.

The food of the Far Eastern forest cat consists of small animals: hares, lizards and birds.

Females carry cubs for 65–70 days and give birth to up to 4 blind kittens. Having reached the age of 50 days, babies begin to actively master the world under the protection of the mother. At the age of six months, cats leave the den and hunt on their own.

The Far Eastern Forest Cat is listed in the Red Book. As of 2015, the population of the animal does not exceed several thousand individuals.

Interesting facts about the Far Eastern cat:

• The Amur cat is depicted on a 1 ruble coin from the Red Book series.
• During the "wedding season" you can hear the famous roar of the cat, the only sound he makes the rest of the time is hissing.
• On the forehead, the cat has light longitudinal stripes, individual for each individual.

The Amur forest cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) is a subspecies of the Bengal cat. It is considered a relative of the Amur tiger and Far Eastern leopard. However, unlike its counterparts, the Far Eastern cat was undeservedly deprived of attention.

Amur forest cat: description of the species

Cold indifference to this harmless beast led to disappointing consequences - now Amur cat listed in the Red Book as an endangered subspecies. Thanks to the efforts of animal rights activists, in recent years the situation has leveled off - the population is gradually increasing.

The Amur cat settled along the shores of the Sea of ​​Japan and near the Amur basin. In addition to Russia, the Far Eastern cat is common in China, Japan and the Korean Peninsula, inhabiting the entire space from Hindustan up to the Malay Archipelago.

Since the area inhabited by the Amur cat is large and heterogeneous in climate feature, the habits of wild cats from different areas may differ from each other. In particular, the habitat affects the breeding periods and the mass of cats.

The tropical orientation of the Far Eastern cat suggests that impenetrable forests are not the best place for animals like him. However, circumstances developed in such a way that the Amur cat emigrated to the snowy Ussuri Territory and stayed there to live forever.

Appearance

The weight of an adult Amur cat varies from 4 to 7 kg, there are also especially large specimens with a paddle up to 15 kg. The body length of the cat reaches 75-90 cm, the tail of the representatives of the subspecies reaches 40 cm in size.

Some wild cats are inferior in volume to domestic individuals. The size of the Far Eastern cats depends both on the location and on the season. In summer, thanks to the diligently accumulating fat, the leopard cat weighs much more than in winter, when it wastes energy reserves acquired over the summer.

Table 1. Exterior of the Amur forest cat

Color

The color of the Far Eastern cat was formed in close connection with the pragmatic function. AT summer period when the sun is high, the dense leafy crowns scatter glare everywhere. The resulting play of light and shadow became the prototype for the stripes decorating the muzzle. wild cat. In the iridescent rays of the sun, the color of the beast, maneuvering between the trees, provides reliable camouflage. The predator can hardly figure out whether it is a wild cat running or just a shimmering shadow from the branches. All representatives of the subspecies, without exception, have such stripes. This color arose as a result of adaptation to the environment - the mixed Ussuri taiga.

Merging with the background is the main function of the bizarre color of the wild cat

The number of spots on an Amur cat is an indicator of age. The younger the cat, the less spots cover its coat. Spots can be either clear or blurry. It was for these dark red circles that the forest cat was nicknamed the “money cat” by the Japanese - these spots were very much like old Japanese coins in their view. In young individuals, leopard coloring is more pronounced. Over the years, the color becomes less contrasting, tending to uniformity.

In general, the color of the Far Eastern forest cat is so heterogeneous that for clarity it makes sense to resort to a schematic description:

Table 2. Color of the Amur forest cat

Fur

The fur of the Amur cat reaches a length of five centimeters, which is why the animal reminds many of a plush toy. But first impressions are deceiving. The color of the coat can vary from gray-yellow to gray-brown. Fortunately for the leopard cat, its fur is of little value: as a furry animal, it does not attract hunters.

Despite thick warm fur, snow is not the best friend of the Amur cat

In winter, the fur of wild cats is lighter and thicker, which prevents hypothermia. Far Eastern cats shed twice a year - in spring and autumn.

population status

At the moment, the Amur forest cat is listed in the Red Book. The exact number of cats of this subspecies is unknown today. According to rough estimates, it does not exceed two and a half - three thousand individuals.

According to the generally accepted view, the number of Amur cats has decreased by at least a third. Partly responsible for the sharp decrease in wild cats lies with the person himself, since he is involved in:

• plowing virgin soil;
• cutting down bushes;
• setting fire to pegs (small forests in the fields).

Many representatives of the subspecies fell into hunting traps and loops, originally intended for hares. Uncontrolled natural fires have also played their disastrous role.

By the way! In Soviet times, a forest cat was considered an enemy of man along with a wolf and a lynx. For the capture and killing of wild cats, the village council provided a reward, which led to an increase in those wishing to exterminate a harmless cat.

All of the above negative factors led to the fact that in 2015 there were only a few thousand Amur forest cats.

Prevention of extermination

Thanks to the efforts of animal rights activists, a significant fine was introduced for the destruction of Amur cats, reaching several thousand rubles. Systematic information is planned for the near future. local residents, especially hunters, about rare representatives local fauna, as well as the usefulness of a wild cat in the fight against rodents. Also, Far Eastern cats are under vigilant supervision in Japan, where about fifty representatives of the subspecies live.

reserves

It is difficult to overestimate the contribution of the protected areas of the regions, which ensure greater safety for animals. The list of such areas includes

• National Park "Land of the Leopard";
• nature reserve "Kedrovaya Pad";
• Bolshekhekhtsirsky reserve;
• Lazovsky Reserve;
• Khankai Reserve;
• Ussuri nature reserve.

Zoos

The Far Eastern leopard cat is a rare visitor to zoos. It is mainly kept by zoos in China and Japan, but in Russia there are several places where this beast lives, for example, the Barnaul Zoo.

There are several reasons for such a low prevalence of the Amur cat. Firstly, catching a wild cat purposefully for the collection is far from an easy task. That is why the Amur cat has been and remains one of the most poorly studied subspecies.

Secondly, leopard cats languish in captivity. Even in a zoo, where no one and nothing threatens the cat, wild beast remains wild and extremely cautious. As a rule, he builds a hole for himself or uses an already prepared one, only occasionally making contact with people and other inhabitants.

Despite the inability of wild cats to live in a cage, in zoos and aviaries, the life expectancy of representatives of the subspecies is 17-18 years, while in the wild they are given 10-12 years. However, there are a variety of assumptions about the number of years allotted to the forest cat by nature. Someone argues that the mark of 18 years is not the limit.

Amur cat in the wild

Despite the dangers that await the beast at every turn, the leopard cat is deservedly considered a long-liver among cats. Perhaps the secret of longevity of the Amur cat is in the specific measured rhythm of life and phlegmatic temperament.

Least of all, the Amur cat is characterized by haste. In winter, his metabolism and heart rate slow down. During the cold season, life seems to freeze for a wild cat, which prolongs the number of days allotted to him.

The fluffy beast lives in all suitable zones - in broad-leaved and coniferous forests, in the steppe, on the banks of lakes and rivers.

Lifestyle

Far Eastern forest cats are avid loners. To notice them in someone's company is a rarity. The cases when leopard cats can be found in pairs can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Otherwise, these self-sufficient animals live and hunt in complete solitude.

The Ussuri taiga is secretly divided by leopard cats into "estates" with an area of ​​approximately 9-10 km 2 - each with its own owner. The size of the personal plot of each Amur cat depends on the abundance of prey.

The leopard cat is very attached to a certain area and is faithful to its habitat. He does not leave his territory even when faced with great danger.

In the spring, during the mating season, Far Eastern cats remember that they are not alone in the universe, and begin to look for a mate. On such days, the quiet, thoughtful forest is filled with the abrupt growls of males looking for girlfriends. Often in the process of searching, they come close to nearby settlements and even enter them.

By the way! The roar is the only sound that can be heard from the Far Eastern cat. In other cases, the cat prefers to hiss, but does not do it often - only in case of a direct threat.

The hissing sound of a leopard cat is almost indistinguishable to the human ear.

Video - The life of an Amur cat in the harsh taiga

reproduction

The mating season directly depends on the territory in which the Far Eastern cat lives. For northern regions mating activity falls at the end of February and all of March, while for the south there is no restriction in the season.

Females carry kittens for 9-10 weeks, bringing up to four kittens by early summer. The optimal number of cubs in a litter is one or two individuals.

Far Eastern cats can rightly be called excellent parents. Females carefully protect kittens, periodically transferring them to a new place at the slightest hint of danger.

Males take part in feeding the cubs along with females. Guardianship can be extended up to six months.

In rare cases, primiparous females feel anxious and ignore their young. There were situations in which domestic cats took abandoned wild kittens under their care.

growing up

Cubs are born blind and unsuitable for independent life. Their eyes open on the tenth day. Kittens begin to explore nearby territories from two months, gradually leaving the lair.

After six months, they are already independent enough to leave the "parental house" and equip their own site for hunting and recreation. According to various estimates, Far Eastern cats become fully mature in a year and a half.

Hybridization

Leopard cats do not disdain domestic cats in the spring, as a result of which many hybrids are born. Kittens, which are a mixture of domestic and wild individuals, do not become tame, and, inheriting their father's genes, rush into the forest. home image life cannot be forced into these little savages.

The attitude towards such half-breeds is ambivalent. Some experts believe that such kittens pose a danger to the Amur cats themselves. The reason is that the hybrids later mate with true forest wildcats themselves, and subsequent offspring move further and further away from their original roots. If the situation does not change, then the Amur cat will sooner or later face real threat extinction.

By the way! When crossing wild individuals with domesticated relatives, an interesting pattern was revealed: males born in this unequal union, turned out to be sterile, while cats could have offspring.

Scientists at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, on the contrary, are confident that interspecific crossing will help Amur cats increase their numbers and disappear from the Red Book forever. However, they do not suggest leaving the spontaneous March crossing of cats as it is. According to experts, it is necessary with the help artificial insemination(IVF) to control mating between domestic and wild individuals. At the moment, the experiments are ongoing.

Main Enemies

The life of a forest cat can hardly be called simple. In the snowy forests of the taiga, he is surrounded by many enemies - wolves, golden eagles, owls, eagle owls. Sable eats blind defenseless kittens with pleasure, scooping them out of their nests. It is not surprising that in the midst of such dangerous predators the Amur cat quickly learned caution, which became one of its characteristic features.

Even those representatives of the fauna that are his potential dinner can emerge victorious from the fight with the forest cat. For example, martens and ferrets are significant opponents. Any miss in the decisive battle can turn into fatal for the Amur cat. hunting dogs are also hostile to wild cats and pose a significant threat to them.

Hunting

Amur cats are born and lucky hunters. Prey caught can range from small rodents to rabbits and roe deer. Not every dog ​​will dare to challenge a wild cat. The advantage of a leopard cat, like wild cats in general, is that it can hunt not only "horizontally", but also "vertically".

Wild cats perfectly mastered the trees, and therefore they are dangerous not only on the ground. To overtake a gaping jay, to destroy a nest with chicks is a trifling matter for these dexterous animals. As for the rest, Far Eastern cats clearly prefer conservation to energy consumption. Just as they prefer waiting and ambush to direct confrontation. This quality is perfectly reflected in their habit of overtaking prey with one jump.

Strategist Skills

If necessary, there is no doubt that the cat will show itself with better side and emerge victorious even from a fight with an enemy to whom he is inferior both in size and in strength. No wonder many hunters notice that they would rather meet with a lynx than with this furry beast. But the fluffy beast will not hurry to rush headlong at the enemy that is superior to him.

The Amur cat is, first of all, a strategist. He knows how to wait and knows the value of time. Therefore, the battle with the Amur cat is not least a battle of intellects. To open confrontation, the leopard cat prefers to wait in ambush, assuming that the prey will come by itself. In many cases, the cat's calculations turn out to be correct.

dwelling

Organizing a nest for itself, the forest cat again manifests itself as a competent analyst, calculating the moves of a predator in advance. As a home, Amur cats prefer snow-covered windbreaks, which not every animal dares to enter. If someone is lucky enough to get to the Far Eastern cat, then catching it without twisting the limbs is an almost impossible task.

A wild cat is too smart to stop at one cover. Usually he constructs several tactically important points, between which he moves, in order to further complicate the task of the predator. The leopard cat does not disdain the burrows left by other animals. Sometimes the choice of forest cats also falls on the crevices of rocks. When frost hits, the Amur cat chooses the most protected place - it hibernates there.

Migration

The Far Eastern Forest Cat is a tireless traveler. Frequent change places is not groundless: each new dwelling is explained by the greater security with which the leopard cat seeks to surround itself.

Before the snow falls, the Amur cat must move to areas densely covered with dense shrubs, in order to subsequently lie under it. It is in the area of ​​dense thickets that the snow is maximally compacted, creating a real impregnable "ice fortress" with branches in the form of a frame.

When the frost reaches a critical point, wild cats rush to the villages. It is at such moments that a person most often catches them. Cats are attracted to old barns, sheds, and other abandoned buildings because they are teeming with rodents. In more warm times year, the Amur cat prefers a variety of edges, meadows with tall dense grass, and the banks of reservoirs.

Activity Hours

Given the extreme caution and control over the situation inherent in forest cats, it is almost impossible to see them during a walk during the day. Amur cats are twilight animals that prefer the cover of night to the light of day. Spending all day in his secluded place, a wild cat waits for sunset to hunt, remaining as unnoticed as possible.

Food

In the conditions of severe winters, Amur cats have adapted to a cumulative lifestyle. The period of active hunting and feeding occurs in the Far Eastern cats in the summer and early autumn.

I must say that wild cats have an immodest appetite. In summer, Amur cats eat 15-20 mice and 3-4 birds a day. In addition to mice and birds, the menu of wild cats includes rodents, snakes, squirrels, hares, muskrats. In a word, any small warm-blooded animals that will catch the eye of an animal. In some cases, they even manage to eat roe deer.

However, this "gluttony" becomes completely understandable, given the fact that in winter these animals often sit for weeks without food, and even without water, which is a substitute for snow. Accumulating fat over the summer and gradually spending it in the winter is the only way for a wild cat to survive. Moreover, Amur cats also store the food itself, hiding it close to their home.

In winter, Amur cats rarely leave their homes and prefer "passive" hunting, patiently waiting for some rodent that mistakenly ran into its shelter. An Amur cat can afford to chase through snowdrifts only in extreme cases, since he risks getting bogged down in the snow and getting cold.

A real holiday for the Amur cat comes when he discovers partridges stuck under the snow in the form of an almost ready dish. These birds sit on branches until evening, and at night they fall into the snow, forming a snow capsule. However, in the morning they do not always manage to get out from under the formed crust. Then it comes finest hour a cat - his instinct allows you to quickly find a still fresh corpse, dig it up and eat it.

Despite the fact that a wild cat is very reluctant to make contact with humans and other animals, there are cases when Amur cats visited neighboring villages in search of easy prey. It could be chickens or other poultry.

Attitude towards a person

Despite the fact that hunters prefer to avoid the leopard cat, this beast is not aggressive towards humans. In the absence of a reason, he will never attack first. Even in those cases when a person will persistently try to catch a cat or find his home, he will prefer defense to attack, and at any opportunity will disappear from sight.

Unfortunately, some hunters mindlessly shoot wild cats for fun, endangering the species itself.

As already mentioned, a secretive lifestyle is not a hindrance for periodic forays into the villages - the main place of accumulation of treasured living creatures. Some cats have been repeatedly caught trying to steal a few chickens. The outcome of such tricks is different - some animals are forgiven and released into the wild, some are killed, and the most successful are awarded a place in the zoo and live in warmth and satiety.

Amur cat and man

With a long stay side by side with a man, a forest cat gets used to people and stops hiding from them. However, the trust of this cat extends only to a narrow circle of familiar, trusted individuals. In relation to strangers, the Far Eastern cat will always be wary.

A domesticated neutered cat loses the traits of wildness. By habits and temperament, he approaches an ordinary domestic cat. The Amur cat is well accustomed to the tray, provided that its size is larger than an ordinary tray. It is desirable to use sawdust or sand as a filler.

domestication

When you first meet a Far Eastern cat, you can easily confuse it with other domestic cats. In this regard, the desire of some people to tame this furry beast is understandable.

There are several points of view on the possibility of domesticating a leopard cat and on the degree of humanity of such a decision. As previously noted, the Far Eastern cat is not adapted to life in captivity. This animal is a predator, a hunter, a strategist - at home, all these qualities remain out of work.

However, there are many examples of keeping an Amur cat both within the house and on the territory of the enclosure. Indeed, there is a chance to tame kittens up to three months old, but it should be borne in mind that upon reaching puberty, the beast will become uncontrollable and rush to its natural habitat. Grown up cats will never become domestic, regardless of the time spent next to a person.

Home conditions are inferior to those of an outdoor enclosure, since the enclosure can be equipped as close as possible to the forest environment familiar to a leopard cat. The degree of comfort of the pet and its longevity depend on the competent development of the enclosure plan.

It is advisable to allocate a special area in the aviary (one or more - depending on the area) and cover it with a thick layer of earth for the subsequent cultivation of herbaceous plants, such as clover and calendula. Plants will provide direct contact with the ground, the lack of which the Amur cat will acutely feel in captivity. A more detailed guide to arranging an aviary is given below.

Feeding

If the desire to tame a wild cat turned out to be great, you should still remember that he will never become completely domestic. The forest cat needs "live" food - the one for which he hunted so skillfully in the forest. Partridges, quails, rabbits, rodents.

Processed meat with the insides removed is also not suitable - the leopard cat consumes the contents of the intestines, the brain and other organs.

Careful monitoring of a feral cat's diet is essential to prevent obesity. Due to the fact that in captivity he spends a much smaller amount of energy, only periodic fasting days can save the animal from being overweight. It is recommended to spend a "hungry" day once a week - during this day the cat is forbidden to eat meat or live food.

Unbalanced feeding of the Amur cat can lead to excessive fullness and disease

On average, the daily norm of a wild cat includes two small rodents or one big rat, as well as 200-300 gr. lean meat (for example, beef or turkey).

By the way! Fish should be given to the cat no more than once a week. Otherwise, calcium will be gradually washed out of the animal's body, which can lead to rickets.

Castration

Timely castration of a pet can help to cope with the unbridled temper of a leopard cat, after which its rebellious temper is pacified. But those owners who would like to have Far Eastern cats in their collection are advised to think twice. Does it make sense to deprive the beast of the opportunity to produce offspring (even in the conditions of its gradual disappearance) in order to find a fluffy "toy", it is ultimately up to them to decide.

Is it possible to buy an Amur cat?

If all the above features of keeping a leopard cat do not scare off a potential owner, then he will have to pay a significant amount for this rare individual. At the moment, the price tag starts from 25 thousand rubles, and ends where it is convenient for a particular seller.

At the same time, we should not forget that there are no official suppliers of this breed, and a sold kitten can easily turn out to be a non-purebred. It is necessary to keep in mind the following fact: by purchasing an Amur cat, the buyer takes an indirect part in breaking the law.

The sale of Far Eastern forest cats is not only unofficial - it is illegal. Moreover, there is a gradual tightening of punishment for such an underground trade in Red Book animals. Given the crisis status of the Amur cat population, such measures are fully justified.

However, every rule has exceptions. There are also happy owners of Far Eastern cats who managed to find a common language with these difficult animals.

According to the reviews of happy owners, the leopard cat is a beast with character

The Amur forest cat is a mammal, a predatory animal of the cat family. This breed is closely related to the Bengal (Asian) cat. The second name of the Amur forest cat is "leopard". He got it thanks to his color, similar to the colors of a leopard.

Relatives of the Amur forest cat live in warm regions. in an amazing way his ancestors came to the territory of the taiga. This is also due to the fact that, perhaps, it was once much warmer here than it is now. After the change of poles and the cold snap, these amazingly beautiful cats had to somehow adapt to the harsh climatic conditions Russia.

habitats

On the territory of Russia, a wild cat lives in the Far East, in the Amur Region and the Ussuri Territory. Outside Russian Federation settles on the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan, in China and the Hindustan peninsula.

The habitat of the forest cat is thickets of bushes of river valleys, lakeside reed thickets, low foothills overgrown with mixed forest. Usually, the Amur cat does not climb high into the mountains. It tolerates cold harsh winters well, but is completely unsuited to life in snowy areas.

Description of the breed

Representatives of the breed of Amur forest cats are the smallest among Asian cats. According to the breed description appearance they are no different from pets:

• The weight adult varies from 4 to 8 kg.
• The body is strong and muscular. Its length, including the tail, is approximately one meter.
• The head is small and elongated.
• The eyes are large, deep-set and set at a short distance from each other.
• The ears are rounded in shape.
• The powerful paws of this animal are longer than those of a domestic cat, and are equipped with short and strong claws.

The coat of the Amur forest cat is very thick and soft. The color can have various variations from gray-sand to yellow-brown. Oval reddish spots are scattered throughout the body. They may have a blurry or clear outline. Due to these stains, similar to ancient Chinese coins, in China it is called the "money cat". Three distinct stripes run along the back, several more stripes run on the throat and chest, and two more light stripes run along the forehead.

Wild steppe cats - lifestyle, character, the possibility of taming

Lifestyle and character

The Far Eastern Forest Cat is a solitary nocturnal predator. He is quite shy and cautious, so it is very difficult to spot him. When danger arises, it has a habit of climbing trees. The Amur forest cat prefers to hunt from ambush, overtaking the victim with a deft jump. He hunts well both on the ground and in trees.

The diet of a wild cat includes mouse-like rodents, squirrels, chipmunks, birds, fish and snakes. It can also handle larger animals such as hares or young roe deer. He usually hides the remains of half-eaten prey, burying them in the snow, and after a while returns to finish them. Despite shyness and caution, severe frosts force these cats to approach human dwellings and hunt rodents and poultry in old houses.

In the neighborhood with a wild forest cat, larger representatives of the cat family also live - these are lynx, leopard and tiger. Meeting with them can end badly for him, so he tries to avoid them. But it is worth noting that the Amur forest cats have a rather tough temper and great strength for their size. They are able to take on enemies larger than themselves without delay.

This representative of the cat family prefers to organize his lair in the hollows of old trees and rocky crevices. He also uses old, abandoned badger and fox burrows. The bottom of his dwelling is usually covered with dry foliage and grass. There are several temporary shelters on the site of the forest cat, which he visits from time to time. AT harsh winter uses one - the safest.

People have repeatedly tried to domesticate a forest cat. The positive results of such experiments are very low:

• At home, the life expectancy of these cats is short.
• The wild nature of the predator creates a danger to cohabitation with other pets. Yes, and he treats a person with caution.
• Even if you tame a tiny newborn kitten, he will still have the desire to run away into the forest.

reproduction

The breeding season for leopard cats is from February to March. With a loud, abrupt cry, the male calls the female to mate. If the female has two contenders, then rival fights flare up between them with loud hissing and meowing, where the strongest of them wins.

The duration of the female's pregnancy lasts 65–72 days. By the end of May, a new offspring appears in the amount of 1-2 kittens, a maximum of 4 kittens can be. The weight of a newborn kitten is about 80 grams. They are born blind, and only after 10 days they will be able to see the world.

The mother cat cares and protects them. In case of danger hides kittens in another safe place. The father also takes part in the life of the kittens. By the age of six months, the animals become independent and leave the parental nest. The life span of these cats is 8 to 15 years.

An interesting fact: there are cases of mating a leopard cat with a domestic cat. Kittens of this litter are completely uncontrollable. Males resulting from such mating are incapable of procreation, unlike females.

Protection measures

There is no exact data on the number of individuals of Amur cats. Due to their secrecy, it is impossible to make even an approximate calculation. Despite this, the Far Eastern forest cat is listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation.

An interesting fact: the Far Eastern forest cat does not pose any danger to human life. However, during the Soviet period, for a long time he was on the black list, along with the wolf, and was subject to extermination. This innocent animal was killed for a small reward from the authorities. And the Chinese "money cat" for a long time exterminated because of his fur.

The main dangers for this feline species are: weather, habitat loss and interbreeding with domestic cats. For salvation forest cats measures are being taken to protect them in the form of a complete ban on fishing and accidental catching. Extensive explanatory work is also being carried out among hunters and the public about the significance and importance of preserving this species in the list of territorial fauna. It is known that in recent years the number of their population began to increase.