The marbled cat, or Pardofelis marmorata, is a type of jungle cat native to the forests of Indo-China, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia. These cats are generally considered rare, although they are very elusive in the wild, so biologists admit that they could be more common than is believed. The marbled cat is considered one of the smaller wild cats, since it's usually only 18 to 24 inches long (45 to 62 centimeters) and usually weighs only about 4 to 11 pounds (2 to 5 kilos). Biologists currently have very little information about the lifestyle and habits of these creatures, since they are often quite wary of humans and therefore difficult to track down for observation purposes. They are believed to feed mostly on rodents and birds, and may have an average life span of up to 12 years.
The typical marbled cat has a head that appears disproportionately small for its body, and a fluffy, ringed tail that may be slightly longer than the length of its torso. These cats often have a spotted fur coat, which typically consists of black or brown spots on a gray or reddish backdrop. The creature's rear legs are usually noticeably longer than its forelegs, and its feet may also seem disproportionately large.
Though believed to be largely nocturnal, the marbled cat has also been spotted moving about in daylight hours. These cats are believed to be very adept tree-climbers, although they have also been known to spend a portion of their time on the forest floor. They typically inhabit forested regions between sea level and 9842.5 feet (3,000 meters) of elevation.
Biologists believe that the average marbled cat reaches sexual maturity at about 22 months of age. Their litters typically contain one or two kittens, but may contain as many as four. Kittens raised in captivity have been known to begin eating solid food at the age of about four months.
These jungle cats are commonly believed to be endangered, since there are only an estimated 10,000 individuals living in the wild. Human activities and encroachment on the marbled cat's habitat are believed to be the biggest threats to this species. The marbled cat is believed to be very shy of humans, such that individuals may remove themselves from their territories at the slightest sign of human interference.
