Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo & The Chicago Zoological Society

Home Zoo Animals Desert's Edge Black-Footed Cat

Black-Footed Cat

Felis nigripes

Quick Facts

Body Length:	19.7" - 24.8"
Height:	6.7" - 9.8" at the shoulder
Weight:	Males: 4.2 - 5.5 lbs; Females: 2.2 - 3.3 lbs
Distribution:	Southern Africa, specifically Botswana, Namibia and South Africa
Habitat:	Dry, open savanna, grasslands and Karoo semi-desert with sparse shrub and tree cover
Wild Diet:	Rodents, shrews, small birds, snakes, geckos and a variety of invertebrates
Zoo Diet:	2 different kinds of meat (NPC – Nebraska Premium canine & Tucker’s Pork) plus 1 mouse and 1 pinky mouse daily; substitute an unshaved rib bone in place of meat mix once a week.

Description

The black-footed cat is the smallest of the African felids. Their coats are tan to yellowish brown with black spots along the body and black stripes on their legs to provide camouflage. They also have black soles on their feet after which they are named. The black-footed cat has a broad skull, rounded ears and large eyes.

Status in the Wild

Black-footed cats are primarily threatened by habitat degradation, poisoning and other unsystematic pest control.

Conservation Programs

Listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources)
CZS Conservation - Species Survival Plan
Feline Conservation Federation
Black-footed Cat Working Group

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