Rusty-Spotted Cat Trivia

What are rusty-spotted cats listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species?

Near Threatened

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, rusty-spotted cats are classified as “Near Threatened”.

Least Concern

Vulnerable

Endangered

What is the rusty-spotted cat’s diet?

Omnivorous

The diet of the rusty-spotted cat has not been properly documented, but it’s known to be a mostly carnivorous omnivore.

Herbivorous

Carnivorous

What threatens the rusty-spotted cat?

Persecution

The main threat of deforestation is due to the spread of agricultural clearing and large-scale irrigated agriculture, as well as the conversion of habitat into urban areas, industry development, and mining. The occasional predation on poultry makes the rusty-spotted cat vulnerable to persecution and it is occasionally killed for food or for the fur trade.

Deforestation

The main threat of deforestation is due to the spread of agricultural clearing and large-scale irrigated agriculture, as well as the conversion of habitat into urban areas, industry development, and mining. The occasional predation on poultry makes the rusty-spotted cat vulnerable to persecution and it is occasionally killed for food or for the fur trade.

Agriculture

The main threat of deforestation is due to the spread of agricultural clearing and large-scale irrigated agriculture, as well as the conversion of habitat into urban areas, industry development, and mining. The occasional predation on poultry makes the rusty-spotted cat vulnerable to persecution and it is occasionally killed for food or for the fur trade.

Mining

The main threat of deforestation is due to the spread of agricultural clearing and large-scale irrigated agriculture, as well as the conversion of habitat into urban areas, industry development, and mining. The occasional predation on poultry makes the rusty-spotted cat vulnerable to persecution and it is occasionally killed for food or for the fur trade.

What is the record lifespan of the rusty-spotted cat?

18 Years

The longest lifespan recorded of the rusty-spotted cat was at the Frankfurt zoo with a cat reaching 18 years of age.

8 Years

12 Years

25 Years

Rusty-spotted cats are vulnerable to vehicular slaughter.

True

At least in India, rusty-spotted cat deaths have occurred because the species is vulnerable to vehicular slaughter. However, the economic impact and number of cat deaths are minimal at only 2.8% occurrence of all vehicular mammal deaths observed.

False

What is not clearly known of the rusty-spotted cat?

Distribution

There is little information available on the behavior and the ecology of the rusty-spotted cat. Very little is known about the cat’s reproduction. The population densities and dynamics are only poorly known and its exact distribution is not yet clear.

Reproduction

There is little information available on the behavior and the ecology of the rusty-spotted cat. Very little is known about the cat’s reproduction. The population densities and dynamics are only poorly known and its exact distribution is not yet clear.

Ecology

There is little information available on the behavior and the ecology of the rusty-spotted cat. Very little is known about the cat’s reproduction. The population densities and dynamics are only poorly known and its exact distribution is not yet clear.

Behavior

There is little information available on the behavior and the ecology of the rusty-spotted cat. Very little is known about the cat’s reproduction. The population densities and dynamics are only poorly known and its exact distribution is not yet clear.

What preys on the rusty-spotted cat?

Cats

The rusty-spotted cat has many predators such as jackals, foxes, and other cat species which may occasionally kill it.

Foxes

The rusty-spotted cat has many predators such as jackals, foxes, and other cat species which may occasionally kill it.

Jackals

The rusty-spotted cat has many predators such as jackals, foxes, and other cat species which may occasionally kill it.

Mongooses

To what continent is the rusty-spotted cat endemic?

Asia

Rusty-spotted cats are endemic to southern Asia.

Africa

South America

Australia

The rusty-spotted cat is a social animal and lives in small groups.

False

The rusty-spotted cat is a solitary animal and lives alone.

True

In what countries does the rusty-spotted cat reside?

India

Rusty-spotted cats only occur in India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.

Nepal

Rusty-spotted cats only occur in India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.

Sri Lanka

Rusty-spotted cats only occur in India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.

Pakistan

What is the rusty-spotted cat’s rhythm?

Nocturnal

When rusty-spotted cats were first brought to the Frankfurt Zoo, they were presumed to be nocturnal because most sightings had been at night or at early dawn and late evening. They were then placed in a nocturnal environment in the zoo, but after monitoring the behavior of the cats, it was shown that the species may not be strictly nocturnal or crepuscular.

Diurnal

Crepuscular

Cathemeral

The rusty-spotted cat is protected by CITES.

True

The rusty-spotted cat population occurring in India is included into the Appendix I of CITES and the population of Sri Lanka and Nepal in Appendix II of CITES.

False

When do young rusty-spotted cats begin emerging from the birth site?

1 Month

Young rusty-spotted cats start to come and go from the birth site between 28 and 32 days.

2 Weeks

1 Week

2 Months

When young rusty-spotted cats emerge from the den, they have poor locomotion abilities.

False

When the young emerge, they already have well-developed locomotion abilities, as reflected in their climbing onto and jumping down from wooden posts in the Frankfurt Zoo.

True

Domestic trade of the rusty-spotted cat in Sri Lanka is controlled.

False

Domestic trade in Sri Lanka is uncontrolled.

True

Young rusty-spotted cats sleep near or on their mother, but as they get older, they sleep on high ledges alone.

True

At first, the young sleep near or on their mother, retreating to where the mother lies down after her activity period, but as they get older, they sleep on high ledges alone.

False

All information about the rusty-spotted cats reproduction comes from captive individuals.

True

Very little is known about the rusty-spotted cat’s reproduction and all the information comes from captive individuals.

False

The mating system of rusty-spotted cats has been explicitly studied.

False

The mating system of rusty-spotted cats has not been explicitly studied.

True

The rusty-spotted cat shows some tolerance for modified habitat.

True

The rusty-spotted cat shows some tolerance for modified habitat and has been found in the midst of agricultural and settled areas. However, large stretches of irrigated agriculture could limit their distribution.

False

Rusty-spotted cats mate year-round.

True

Rusty-spotted cats mate year-round.

False

How do mother rusty-spotted cats care for their young?

Removing Feces

Mother rusty-spotted cats are not known to translocate their young or to carry food to them, but will, at least initially, remove their feces from the den. Between 35 and 42 days of age, weaning starts and was still observed up to day 60.

Suckling

Mother rusty-spotted cats are not known to translocate their young or to carry food to them, but will, at least initially, remove their feces from the den. Between 35 and 42 days of age, weaning starts and was still observed up to day 60.

Bringing Food

Translocation from Dens

What habitats do rusty-spotted cats inhabit?

Desert

Rusty-spotted cats mainly inhabit deserts, savannas, grassland, shrubland, forest, and artificial terrestrial habitats.

Savanna

Rusty-spotted cats mainly inhabit deserts, savannas, grassland, shrubland, forest, and artificial terrestrial habitats.

Forest

Rusty-spotted cats mainly inhabit deserts, savannas, grassland, shrubland, forest, and artificial terrestrial habitats.

Artificial Terrestrial

Rusty-spotted cats mainly inhabit deserts, savannas, grassland, shrubland, forest, and artificial terrestrial habitats.

Rusty-spotted cats exhibit sexual dimorphism.

True, Males are Larger

Male rusty-spotted cats generally have a greater average body weight than females.

True Females are Larger

False

The lack of knowledge about the rusty-spotted cat’s status and distribution may hinder its effective conservation.

True

The lack of knowledge about the rusty-spotted cat’s status and distribution may hinder its effective conservation.

False

Where do rusty-spotted cats nest?

Hollow Trees

In Sri Lanka, female rusty-spotted cats were observed to give birth in hollow trees or under rock cliffs. Females with kittens have also been found denning in a tea plantation in Sri Lanka and in the attics of houses in southern India surrounded by paddy fields and coconut plantations. In West Maharashtra, rusty-spotted cat cubs were found in sugarcane fields during harvest.

Under Rock Cliffs

In Sri Lanka, female rusty-spotted cats were observed to give birth in hollow trees or under rock cliffs. Females with kittens have also been found denning in a tea plantation in Sri Lanka and in the attics of houses in southern India surrounded by paddy fields and coconut plantations. In West Maharashtra, rusty-spotted cat cubs were found in sugarcane fields during harvest.

Fields

In Sri Lanka, female rusty-spotted cats were observed to give birth in hollow trees or under rock cliffs. Females with kittens have also been found denning in a tea plantation in Sri Lanka and in the attics of houses in southern India surrounded by paddy fields and coconut plantations. In West Maharashtra, rusty-spotted cat cubs were found in sugarcane fields during harvest.

Attics

In Sri Lanka, female rusty-spotted cats were observed to give birth in hollow trees or under rock cliffs. Females with kittens have also been found denning in a tea plantation in Sri Lanka and in the attics of houses in southern India surrounded by paddy fields and coconut plantations. In West Maharashtra, rusty-spotted cat cubs were found in sugarcane fields during harvest.

What is the population trend of the rusty-spotted cat?

Decreasing

The declining trend is due to habitat loss characterized by a decline in natural forest environments and an increase in agricultural areas.

Increasing

Stable

Unknown

How many rusty-spotted cats are estimated to remain?

10,000

Rusty-spotted cats have an estimated combined population total in India and Sri Lanka of under 10,000 mature individuals. There is no subpopulation with more than 1,000 breeding individuals.

100

1,000

100,000

Zoos have been crucial to rusty-spotted cat observation and conservation.

True

The West Berlin Zoo and Frankfurt Zoo, both located in Germany, have been crucial to rusty-spotted cat observation and conservation. The zoos have provided information on the rusty-spotted cat’s lifespan and longevity, mating system, paternal care, nesting preference, development and growth, aggression, behavior, and diet

False

How do rusty-spotted cats benefit the ecosystem?

Seed Dispersal

If individuals in the wild eat fruits, as is observed in the zoo setting, then rusty-spotted cats might benefit plants through the distribution of their seeds in fecal matter. They also likely play a role in controlling populations of small vertebrates.

Prey Population Control

If individuals in the wild eat fruits, as is observed in the zoo setting, then rusty-spotted cats might benefit plants through the distribution of their seeds in fecal matter. They also likely play a role in controlling populations of small vertebrates.

Disease Prevention

Forest Regeneration

The mating activity of the rusty-spotted cat increases its vulnerabilities to predators.

True

It is speculated that rusty-spotted cat mating activity could increase their vulnerability, selecting for brief copulations.

False

Play is crucial to locomotion development in the rusty-spotted cat.

True

Play has been observed between rusty-spotted cat siblings and between the young and mother, which appears crucial to locomotion development. Most interactions between the mother and young are play-oriented.

False

What is the main threat of the rusty-spotted cat?

Habitat Loss

The declining trend of the rusty-spotted cat is due to habitat loss characterized by a decline in natural forest environments and an increase in agricultural areas.

Food Availability

Persecution

Hunting

What is the average litter size of the rusty-spotted cat?

1-3

The gestation period of the rusty-spotted cat lasts between 65 to 79 days and each litter has from 1 to 3 offspring.

3-6

6-9

9-12

Hunting and trade of the rusty-spotted cat is prohibited.

True

The rusty-spotted cat is fully protected over most of its range as hunting and trade are prohibited in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

False

How long can rusty-spotted cat suckling last?

2 Months

Suckling was still observed up to day 60.

1 Month

6 Months

12 Months

Sexually active rusty-spotted cats are more active during daylight hours.

True

Sexually active animals are more active during daylight hours.

False

When does the rusty-spotted cat begin to eat meat?

40 Days

The young start to eat meat at around 40 days of age, but suckling was still observed up to day 60.

10 Days

20 Days

30 Days

The rusty-spotted cat is considered terrestrial, but has arboreal tendencies.

True

The rusty-spotted cat is considered terrestrial, but has arboreal tendencies. It is described as a very active and agile feline and as a good climber. It is frequently seen in trees and was observed pouncing down from tree branches when hunting prey. However, it probably hunts mainly on the ground. When the rusty-spotted cat is threatened it flees into the trees or takes shelter in gaps of big boulders, stones, or even caves.

False

How do father rusty-spotted cats care for their young?

Guarding The Den

In zoos, rusty-spotted cat males have been allowed to stay with females after mating and after the birth of kittens. The West Berlin Zoo recorded a male protecting young from zoo keepers and bringing meat to the kittens.

Bringing Food

In zoos, rusty-spotted cat males have been allowed to stay with females after mating and after the birth of kittens. The West Berlin Zoo recorded a male protecting young from zoo keepers and bringing meat to the kittens.

Translocation from Dens

Removing Feces

What does the rusty-spotted cat eat?

Fruit

An adult rusty-spotted cat in the Frankfurt Zoo is fed a daily diet consisting of beef muscles in large chunks and small strips, beef heart, two-day-old chicks, one mouse, and 2.5 grams of carrot, apple, boiled egg, and cooked rice.

Vegetables

An adult rusty-spotted cat in the Frankfurt Zoo is fed a daily diet consisting of beef muscles in large chunks and small strips, beef heart, two-day-old chicks, one mouse, and 2.5 grams of carrot, apple, boiled egg, and cooked rice.

Meat

An adult rusty-spotted cat in the Frankfurt Zoo is fed a daily diet consisting of beef muscles in large chunks and small strips, beef heart, two-day-old chicks, one mouse, and 2.5 grams of carrot, apple, boiled egg, and cooked rice.

Eggs

An adult rusty-spotted cat in the Frankfurt Zoo is fed a daily diet consisting of beef muscles in large chunks and small strips, beef heart, two-day-old chicks, one mouse, and 2.5 grams of carrot, apple, boiled egg, and cooked rice.

Rusty-spotted cats have a restricted and fragmented distribution.

True

Compared to other species, rusty-spotted cats have a relatively restricted distribution. The cat’s prime habitat is found in three broad regions in India, which indicates a fragmented population. The species was originally thought to occur only in the southern part of India, but records are now known from across the country.

False

When are rusty-spotted cats usually born?

July-October

Data indicates that 50% of young are born between July and October, which is not enough to consider rusty-spotted cats seasonal breeders.

October-January

January-April

April-July

For their first 100 days, male rusty-spotted cats are smaller than females, but afterwards, they’re larger.

True

For about the first 100 days of development, males are smaller in size than females, but after that time, males have a greater average body weight.

False

Both male and female rusty-spotted cats spray urine for scent-marking.

True

Communications between rusty-spotted cats are scent-oriented. Both males and females spray urine for scent-marking.

False

The rusty-spotted cat’s relatively large, expansive eyes are an adaptation to its nocturnal behavior.

True

The head and ears of the rusty-spotted cat are small and rounded and they have relatively large eyes for their size. The rusty-spotted cat’s expansive eyes may be an adaptation to its nocturnal behavior.

False

How does the coat of the Sri Lankan rusty-spotted cat vary from the Indian rusty-spotted cat?

Less Gray

The coat of the Sri Lankan subspecies (Prionailurus rubiginosus phillipsi) is less gray and has more of a russet color.

Darker

Lighter

More Spots

As in other small cats, rusty-spotted cat mating includes a nape bite and straddling.

True

Explanation

False

How many subspecies of the rusty-spotted cat are recognized?

3

3 subspecies of the rusty-spotted cat are recognised: Prionailurus rubiginosus rubiginosus in India and Nepal, Prionailurus rubiginosus phillipsi in the Wet forest zone of Sri Lanka, and Prionailurus rubiginosus koladivius in the lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka.

0

5

10

Rusty-spotted cats prefer nesting at higher levels.

False

Females in the Frankfurt Zoo repeatedly chose birthing spots that were on the ground. Birthing boxes were offered in both low- and higher-level areas, but the lower boxes were used.

True

The rusty-spotted cat is the smallest cat species.

True

The rusty-spotted cat is considered the smallest cat species.

False

What allows rusty-spotted cats to adapt to agricultural and settled areas?

Large Rodent Populations

The rusty-spotted cat, along with other small cat species in the oriental region, may be surviving in agricultural areas because of their high numbers and the availability of large rodent populations.

Sheltered Nesting Areas

Shelter from Predators

Large Livestock Populations

How does the rusty-spotted cat compare to the size of a domestic cat?

Half the Size

The rusty-spotted cat is about half the size of a domestic cat.

Twice the Size

About the Same Size

Quarter the Size

The rusty-spotted cat fares well in captivity.

False

The rusty-spotted cat does not fare well in captivity and only a few are held in zoos outside its natural distribution.

True

Rusty-Spotted Cat Trivia

Published by Noelle M. Brooks

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