Marbled Cat l Heavenly Forest Feline

Marbled Cat, Pardofelis marmorata — Source: http://bit.ly/2zhKVSX Photo: Johan Embréus CCL: http://bit.ly/2QZT99x

Marbled Cat Facts

This beautiful creation of Nature and evolution most frequently goes by the descriptive common name of the Marbled Cat across its entire range. Somewhat uncommonly, that’s presently the only globally used general moniker for this intriguing species of wild feline.
Within scientific circles, however, it’s perhaps much better known by its purely technical title. Like many such, though, it’s a relatively difficult name for the layperson to pronounce. That’s because the small yet amazing mammal bears the formal title of Pardofelis marmorata.
It received that slightly tongue-twisting honorifc due to the efforts of the highly respected English naturalist, William Charles Linnaeus Martin. He accomplished the first recorded acknowledgement of the creature as a separate and distinct species in the year 1836.
This wonder’s actually quite closely related to two other equally remarkable wild felines. These close genetic cousins hold the names of the Borneo Bay Cat and the Asian Golden Cat. Each of these three mammals diverged from shared ancestors approximately 9.4 million years ago.
While not ideal, its current population and range appear to be relatively stable. This fortunate situation also seems to hold true throughout the entirety of that territory. The IUCN, therefore. presently lists the animal as Near Threatened on its Red List of Threatened Species.
Sadly, the fabulous Marbled Cat nevertheless faces many ongoing threats to its continued existence. Deforestation continues to form an ever-present danger to the creature. Now, however, it additionally faces the perils posed by climate change, like most species.

Fishing Cat, Prionailurus viverrinus — Cheetah

Marbled Cat Physical Description

The stunning Marbled Cat quickly captivates and amazes those few individuals ever fortunate enough to encounter one in the wild. The beautiful carnivore typically does so due more to its appearance, though, than its physical measurements. That’s because it’s smaller than many relatives.

This tendency further holds true for individuals of both genders. Many species display varying degrees of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. Specimens of this most distinctily evolved feline, however, display no outwardly noticeable degree of that specific evolutionary trait.

In terms of general size, it’s frequently been compared to a common domestic house cat. That’s with one exception, however. That has to do with the tail of the beautiful wild cat. In this particular species, that impressive appendage grows much bushier, and may be longer than the body.

Individuals of both sexes attain a head and body length that averages somewhere between 18 – 24 in (45.7 – 61 cm). The magnificent tail itself, meanwhile, varies significantly in length between cats. This notably bushy appendage grows to a length that averages from 14 – 22 in (35.6 – 55.9 cm).

This wonder of Nature’s weight also varies widely among fully mature examples of the Marbled Cat. That variation occurs due to numerous factors, including, of course, availability of prey in different ranges. Overall, though, this specific measurement ranges from about 4.4 – 11.0 lbs (2 – 5 kg).

It’s the general appearance of the animal, however, that understandably usually garners the most attention. The coat develops as thick and soft. This additionally varies ini background from dark grayish-brown, through yellowish-brown to reddish-brown. Black stripes also form on the head.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Pardofelis
Species: P. marmorata

Marbled Cat Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The masterpiece of evolution that’s the Marbled Cat evolved as native to a limited range of the surface of the globe. That’s most unfortunate, to be certain. Yet precisely where that zone of habitation occurs probably won’t surprise many people. It’s native to a small part of Southeast Asia.

More precisely, it’s only known to live within very specific sections of a few select locations. These include the Himalayan foothills, India, Nepal, southwest China, and also the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. It’s currently unknown to science if the impressive feline ever lived in a greater area.

The extraordinary cat also evolved decidedly strong and clear preferences regarding its choice of habitat. Due to that, the animal primarily chooses to make its home in regions of relatively dense forest. Even more specifically, these must be moist, and mixed evergreen-deciduous tropical.

Scattered individuals do appear outside of such habitats on occasion, though. Some choose to live in regions of bamboo forests and peat swamps. Impressively, it’s also adapted to very high altitudes. A few observations place specimens at heights measuring as much as 12,500 ft (3,810 m).

Due to the reclusive nature of the Marbled Cat, professional researchers still know extremely little about some aspects of this species.Nonetheless, a few facts have been learned about the elusive creature. Fo one, distinguishing itself form others in yet another way, it’s mainly arboreal.

Though quite limited, observations also indicate that the nature of this habitat serves a dual purpose. It likely provides it most of its prey. That’s believed to consist of such animals as squirrels, birds, reptiles, and rodents. Its own natural predators continue to remain unknown at this time.