Amur forest cat: description of the species

The Amur forest cat, sometimes referred to as the Far Eastern wildcat, is an enigmatic and intriguing species that lives in East Asian forests. These cats are excellent hunters because they have a unique combination of strength, agility, and stealth that allows them to thrive in their hostile surroundings. They look like domestic cats, but they are distinct from one another due to their wild nature.

This species is well-known for having a thick, dense coat that helps it withstand the region’s bitterly cold winters. Because of the combination of brown and gray tones in its fur, it can blend in perfectly with the forest’s surroundings. The Amur forest cat is a highly perceptive and perceptive animal that is constantly on guard, ready to hunt or evade danger.

Characteristic	Description
Size	Medium-sized, about 60 cm long with a 30 cm tail
Weight	Typically 4 to 8 kg
Fur	Thick, soft, and dense, helps in cold weather
Color	Grayish-brown with dark stripes and spots
Habitat	Forests of the Russian Far East, China, and Korea
Diet	Small mammals, birds, and fish
Lifespan	Around 10-15 years in the wild
Behavior	Solitary and primarily nocturnal

Native to the forests of eastern Russia, China, and Korea, the Amur forest cat, also called the Far Eastern wildcat, is a rare and elusive animal. While this wild cat is smaller than domestic cats, it is more robust and muscular due to its thick fur, which aids in its survival in cold climates. The Amur forest cat is an expert hunter who preys on small mammals and birds. It is acclimated to living in thick forests and hilly terrain. Despite threats from poaching and habitat loss, conservation efforts are in place to safeguard this rare species.

Habitat

The Amur cat has made its home close to the Amur basin and along the Sea of Japan’s coast. Apart from Russia, the Far Eastern cat is widespread throughout the region spanning from Hindustan to the Malay Archipelago, including China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula.

The Primorsky Krai’s Amur cat

The Amur cat inhabits a vast and climatically diverse region, so different wild cats may have different habits from one another. Specifically, the habitat influences the weight of cats and the times they breed.

Amur cats enjoy exploring the grasslands.

Given that the Far Eastern cat is a tropical animal, it is unlikely that it should live in impenetrable forests. But events took a turn for the worse, and the Amur cat moved to the snow-covered Ussuri region, where it lived out its entire life.

Appearance

Adult Amur cats typically weigh between 4 and 7 kg, however some exceptionally large specimens have been known to weigh up to 15 kg. Representatives of the subspecies have tails that are 40 cm in length, while their bodies range in length from 75 to 90 cm.

Some untamed felines are smaller than domestic cats. Far Eastern cats vary in size depending on the season and region. The leopard cat gains weight during the summer because it diligently stores fat, and in the winter it uses up the energy reserves it has stored.

Table 1. The Amur forest cat’s exterior

Oval-shaped, deeply set, and close to one another in space

Round, somewhat oblong, free of end tassels, and movable

Large shade of gray-red. The nose has a large hairless bare stripe.

Wild cats can handle even the toughest meat thanks to their sharp fangs.

Color

The pragmatic function and the color of the Far Eastern cat are inextricably linked. During summer, dense leafy crowns scatter glare everywhere as the sun rises. The resulting play of light and shadow served as the model for the stripes that adorn the wild cat’s muzzle. The color of the animal moving between the trees offers dependable camouflage in the sun’s iridescent rays. Whether it’s a flickering shadow from branches or a wild cat running, a predator will hardly be able to tell. These stripes are present on every member of the subspecies. Due to environmental adaptation, this coloring developed in the mixed Ussuri taiga.

The wild cat’s peculiar coloring serves primarily as a means of blending into the background.

An Amur cat’s age can be inferred from the quantity of spots on it. The cat’s fur has fewer spots on it the younger it is. Both distinct and hazy spots are possible. The Japanese gave the forest cat the moniker "money" because of these deep red circles, which in their imagination were reminiscent of old Japanese coins. The leopard coloring is more noticeable in younger people. The color becomes less striking with time and tends toward homogeneity.

Kittens’ colors are the brightest.

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

Table 2: Amur forest cat coloring

Body part	Coloring
Head	From the inner corners of the eyes up the forehead and further along the crown, two white stripes run parallel
Chin	Almost white
Throat	Four to five rusty-brown transverse stripes
Back	Three brown stripes formed by elongated narrow spots. Sometimes merge into one wide belt
Sides and underside of the body	Always lighter than the back by several shades
Belly	Dirty white, with a yellow undertone
Forepaws	Cross stripes
Tail	Dark gray, sometimes one-color, more often it has up to seven black-gray incomplete rings. Tip of the tail is pure black or dark gray

Fur

The Amur cat’s fur can grow up to five centimeters in length, which is why many people compare it to a stuffed animal. But initial impressions can be misleading. The fur coat’s hue can range from gray to brown to gray-yellow. Luckily, the leopard cat does not attract hunters because its fur is not particularly valuable.

Snow is not the best friend of the Amur cat, despite its thick, warm fur.

Wild cats’ winter fur is thicker and lighter, protecting them from hypothermia. Twice a year, in the spring and the fall, Far Eastern cats shed.

The status of a population

The Amur forest cat is currently included in the Red Book. It is unknown how many cats of this subspecies there are in the world today. Rough estimates put the number between two and a half and three thousand people.

• openness of virgin lands;
• cutting down bushes;
• Fog Kolkov (small forests in the fields).

Numerous members of the subspecies were caught in hunting loops and traps meant for hares. Natural fires that got out of control caused destruction.

By the way! The forest cat, like the wolf and trot, was viewed as an enemy of humanity in the Soviet era. The reward the village council offered for capturing and killing wild cats attracted more people who wanted to wipe out the harmless animal.

There were only a few thousand Amur forest cats in 2015 as a result of all the aforementioned negative factors.

Prevention of extermination

A hefty fine of several thousand rubles was introduced for the destruction of the Amur cats, thanks to the efforts of the zoo defenders. In the near future, there are plans to systematically educate locals, particularly hunters, about rare species found in the area and the value of wild cats in the fight against rodents. About fifty of the subspecies’ members reside in Japan, where the Far Eastern cats are likewise closely supervised.

Nature reserves

• National Park "Land of the Leopard";
• Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve;
• Bolshakhiki reserve;
• Lazovsky Reserve;
• Hanka reserve;
• The Ussuri Reserve.

Zoos

In zoos, the Far Eastern leopard cat is an uncommon visitor. Its primary homes are zoos in China and Japan, but there are a few locations in Russia where it can be found, including the Barnaul Zoo.

Some claim that Amur cats just pass away slowly rather than living in zoos.

The Amur cat is extremely rare for a number of reasons. First of all, it’s not at all simple to capture a wild cat with the intention of collecting it. For this reason, among the least researched subspecies both historically and currently is the Amur cat.

Second, cats that are leopards suffer in captivity. The wild cat is still wild and very wary even in a zoo, where nothing and no one can harm it. It usually digs its own hole or uses one that has already been prepared, rarely coming into contact with humans or other residents.

Even in the presence of humans and other animals, cats tend to remain reserved and cautious.

Although wild cats are not suited to living in cages, members of the subspecies typically live 17–18 years in zoos and enclosures, compared to 10–12 years in the wild. There are, however, differing opinions regarding the number of years that nature has given the wild cat. There is a claim that the age of eighteen is not the upper limit.

Amur cat in the wild

The leopard cat is rightly regarded as a long-liver among cats, despite the dangers it faces at every turn. The Amur cat’s phlegmatic temperament and particular measured pace of life may hold the key to its longevity.

The Far Eastern wild cat could be said to live by the adage "Slow and steady wins the race."

The Amur cat is not prone to rushing. Its heart rate and metabolism decrease with the winter. The wild cat’s life appears to freeze during the cold season, extending the number of days granted to it.

The hairy creature can be found in all the right places: the steppe, banks of lakes and rivers, and forests with broad leaves and conifers.

Lifestyle

Forest cats from the Far East are seasoned loners. Finding them in someone’s company is a very rare occurrence. One could count on one hand the instances in which pairs of leopard cats have been reported. Other than that, these self-sufficient animals hunt and live in total isolation.

Amur cats only socialize in groups when it’s breeding season.

Leopard cats have created "estates" of about 9–10 km2 in the Ussuri taiga, each with its own owner. The amount of prey available determines the size of each Amur cat’s individual plot.

The leopard cat is devoted to its home and has strong attachments to specific locations. Even in extreme danger, it never leaves its home range.

The Amur cat won’t want to leave its spot once it has taken it.

Far Eastern cats realize they are not alone in the universe during the mating season in the spring and start looking for a partner. On these days, the abrupt roars of men seeking girlfriends fill the serene, reflective forest. They frequently approach and even enter neighboring settlements while on the lookout.

By the way! The only sound emitted by a Far Eastern cat is a roar. The cat prefers to hiss in other situations, but it only does so when there is an immediate threat.

A leopard cat’s hissing is hardly audible to the human ear.

Video – Life of an Amur cat in the harsh taiga

Reproduction

The Far Eastern cat’s mating season is directly influenced by the region it inhabits. In the north, the mating season lasts from the end of February to the beginning of March, but in the south, it never ends.

By the start of summer, females can give birth to up to four kittens during their nine to ten-week pregnancy. A litter should contain no more than one or two cubs.

Amur kittens’ eyes have a deep blue hue that eventually goes away.

It’s true that Far Eastern cats make excellent parents. Kittens are closely watched by females, who will occasionally relocate them to a safer location if they see any danger.

The cat continues to hide kittens in safe places even in a secure home.

Men and females participate in feeding the cubs on an equal basis. A guardianship can be in place for a maximum of six months.

The Amur cat looks out for its young.

Rarely, anxiety can cause primiparous females to ignore their cubs. There have been instances where domestic cats have taken in and cared for abandoned wild kittens.

A domestic cat treats Amur kittens with the same level of concern as its own

Growing up

The kittens are not prepared for an independent life and are blind from birth. On the tenth day, they open their eyes. As they reach two months old, kittens start to progressively leave the den and explore neighboring areas.

Early on, kittens learn that they are insatiably curious.

After six months, they are self-sufficient enough to vacate the "parental home" and set up a private space for sleeping and hunting. Various estimates place the full maturity of Far Eastern cats at 1.5 years of age.

Hybridization

Leopard cats do not despise domestic cats in the spring, which leads to the birth of numerous hybrids. Crossbred kittens—tame kittens do not become domestic; instead, they take on their father’s genes and run into the forest. These little savages cannot be forced to adopt the domestic way of life.

A cross between Amur and Bengal people

Such half-breeds are viewed with mixed feelings. According to some experts, these kittens could endanger the Amur cats themselves. The reason is that the hybrids eventually mate with wild cats found in the forest, and their progeny gradually drift away from their original habitat. The Amur cat will eventually face a serious threat of extinction if nothing changes.

By the way! An intriguing pattern emerged from crossing wild individuals with domesticated relatives: males born in this unequal union proved to be sterile, whereas cats were able to procreate.

The subsequent cohort of individuals with hybrid characteristics

Conversely, experts from the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Cytology and Genetics are sure that interspecies crossing will enable Amur cats to proliferate and eventually vanish from the Red Book. They do not, however, suggest that the cats’ impromptu March crossing remain unchanged. Experts state that artificial insemination (IVF) is required to regulate mating between domestic and wild individuals. Experiments are currently being conducted.

Main enemies

It is difficult to characterize a wildcat’s life as simple. It faces numerous adversaries in the taiga’s wintry woods, including wolves, golden eagles, owls, and eagle owls. Sables will even gladly consume defenseless, blind kittens that they retrieve from their nests. It is not surprising that the Amur cat rapidly acquired caution—which has since become one of its defining characteristics—being surrounded by such formidable predators.

Skillful tree-climbing enables the wildcat to evade numerous encounters with predators.

In a fight with a wildcat, even those members of the fauna that could be its dinner can come out on top. Ferrets and martens, for instance, are fierce adversaries. For the Amur cat, a single miss in a close battle can be deadly. Additionally hostile to and a serious threat to wild cats are hunting dogs.

Hunting

Amur cats are proficient hunters by nature. Roe deer, rabbits, and small rodents are examples of the captured prey. Not every dog would take on a wild cat head-on. Like other wild cats, the leopard cat has the advantage of being able to hunt both "horizontally" and "vertically."

A forest cat cannot be hid from on the ground or inside a tree.

Because wild cats have perfected the art of climbing trees, they are a threat above ground as well. For these nimble creatures, catching a gaping jay or demolishing a nest full of chicks is a piece of cake. Other than that, it’s obvious that Far Eastern cats value energy conservation over use of energy. In the same way that they would rather ambush and wait rather than face to face. Their propensity of capturing prey in a single leap is a perfect example of this trait.

Strategist skills

If need be, you can be certain that the cat will display its best qualities and prevail even in a battle against an opponent that is smaller and weaker than it is. It’s no coincidence that a lot of hunters say they would rather meet a lynx than this fuzzy creature. However, the fluffy creature won’t charge an adversary who is more powerful.

The leopard cat is very skilled at anticipating the victim’s movements.

The Amur cat is first and foremost a tactician. It understands the value of time and how to wait. Consequently, a conflict with an Amur cat is not merely a contest of cunning. The leopard cat would rather wait in ambush than engage in direct combat, believing its prey will find it on its own. The cat’s calculations are accurate in a large number of cases.

Wild cats don’t let unnecessary movements happen when they’re hunting.

Housing

The wildcat demonstrates its ability to be a skilled analyst by arranging a bed for itself and anticipating the predator’s next move. Not every animal would dare venture inside the snow-covered windfalls that Amur cats prefer as their homes. It is nearly impossible to catch a Far Eastern cat without breaking any of its limbs, even if you are fortunate enough to come across one.

Not everyone is able to visit an Amur cat’s home.

A wild cat would never stop at just one shelter. It typically constructs a number of strategically significant points, moving in between to make the predator’s job more difficult. Burrows left by other animals are not looked down upon by a leopard cat. Forest cats occasionally select cracks in rocks. The Amur cat seeks out the area with the best protection from frost and spends the entire winter there.

Migration

The forest cat from the Far East is an avid traveler. Regular relocations are not irrational; the leopard cat’s desire to surround itself with increased security serves as an explanation for each new residence.

The wild cat plans every long-distance movement ahead of time.

The Amur cat has to find places with a lot of thick bushes before the snow falls so that it can later lie down beneath them. The snow is compacted most heavily in the thicket areas, forming an actual "ice fortress" with branches forming a frame.

Wild cats rush to villages when the frost reaches a critical point. It is during these times that people tend to catch them. Because they are rodent-rich, cats are drawn to old barns, sheds, and other abandoned buildings. The Amur cat prefers the banks of reservoirs, tall, thick grass meadows, and different forest edges during warmer months.

Safe among the tall reeds is the Amur cat.

Activity hours

Since wildcats are known for their extreme caution and situational awareness, it is nearly impossible to spot them while out on foot during the day. Crepuscular creatures, Amur cats favor the darkness over the light of day. The wild cat hides in its isolated spot all day, waiting for dusk to come around so it can go hunting as stealthily as possible.

Wild cats try to hunt away from the sun’s rays.

Nutrition

Amur cats have adapted to hoard during the harsh winters. In the summer and early fall, Far Eastern cats are most active in their hunting and eating seasons.

It is undeniable that wild cats eat voraciously. Amur cats consume 3–4 birds and 15–20 mice every day during the summer. The diet of wild cats consists of rodents, snakes, squirrels, hares, and muskrats in addition to mice and birds. Any small, warm-blooded animals that capture the attention of the animal, in short. They even succeed in feasting on roe deer in certain instances.

Amur feline accompanied by its prey

But this "gluttony" makes perfect sense when we take into account that these animals frequently go weeks without food or even water during the winter, since snow serves as a substitute. A wild cat can only survive by storing fat during the summer and gradually burning it off during the winter. Amur cats also hide food close to their homes in order to store it.

Amur cats prefer "passive" hunting in the winter, staying indoors most of the time and waiting patiently for a rodent to wander into their shelter. An Amur cat should only venture through deep snowdrifts in the most dire circumstances, as it runs the risk of becoming stranded and developing hypothermia.

The paws of an Amur cat are too short for deep snowdrifts

An Amur cat finds partridges stuck under the snow to be an almost ready meal, which is a real treat. These birds spend the day perched on branches, and at dusk they drop into the snow, creating a snow capsule. But in the morning, they don’t always succeed in emerging from beneath the crust that has formed. The cat then reaches his peak when he discovers a still-fresh corpse and uses his keen sense of smell to quickly locate, unearth, and devour it.

Even though Amur cats are extremely reticent to interact with humans and other animals, there have been documented instances where they have visited nearby villages in quest of simple food. These might be other poultry, like chickens.

Attitude to humans

The leopard cat is not hostile toward people, even though hunters would rather avoid them. It will never launch an offensive on its own without a cause. The cat will choose defense over attack and will quickly vanish from view, even if someone tries really hard to capture it or locate its home.

The Far Eastern cat is never content when visitors arrive.

Sadly, careless shooting of wild cats by some hunters for amusement puts the species in jeopardy.

As previously stated, leading a reclusive life does not preclude making sporadic raids into villages, which are the primary location where the valuable animals congregate. A few cats have been observed attempting to steal multiple hens on multiple occasions. The results of such antics can vary; some animals are pardoned and returned to the wild, some are put to death, and the most fortunate are given a spot in the zoo where they can live in comfort and contentment.

Amur cat and man

The forest cat stops hiding from people after spending a considerable amount of time side by side with them. But this cat only trusts a select group of well-known and reliable individuals. The Far Eastern cat will always be cautious around strangers.

The Far Eastern cat perceives danger in people at all times.

The untamed features of a castrated cat are lost in domestication. It resembles a typical domestic cat in both temperament and habits. As long as the litter box is bigger than a typical litter box, the Amur cat is used to using it. As a filler, sawdust or sand are recommended.

Domestication

A Far Eastern cat can easily be mistaken for a domestic cat when you first meet it. In light of this, it makes sense that some people would want to domesticate this fluffy animal.

Divergent opinions exist regarding the feasibility of taming a leopard cat and the level of compassion involved in making that choice. The Far Eastern cat is not suited to life in captivity, as was previously mentioned. Although this animal is a predator, hunter, and strategist, none of these traits matter in domestic settings.

When kept in captivity, wild cats should try to avoid sunlight.

Nonetheless, there are numerous instances of Amur cats being kept in enclosures as well as in homes. Yes, it is possible to tame kittens for up to three months, but remember that once the animal reaches sexual maturity, it will become wild and run into its native environment. Cats that are adults will never be domesticated, no matter how much time they spend with people.

The street aviary offers better conditions than households because it is outfitted with features that are most similar to the leopard cat’s natural habitat—a forest. The skillful creation of the enclosure plan determines the pet’s degree of comfort and lifespan.

The enclosure’s built-in shelter will provide the leopard cat with peace and comfort.

Before cultivating herbaceous plants like calendula and clover, it is best to set aside a specific area in the enclosure (one or more, depending on the area) and cover it with a thick layer of soil. In captivity, the Amur cat will feel the lack of direct soil contact, which plants will provide. Below is a more thorough setup guide for the enclosure.

Shelter for a stray feline

Feeding

Even if you have a strong desire to tame a wild cat, keep in mind that it will never fully become domestic. A wild cat requires "live" food, the kind that it hunted through the forest with such skill. Quails, rabbits, rodents, and partridges.

Since the leopard cat eats the insides of the brain, intestines, and other organs, processed meat that has had the insides removed is also inappropriate.

A wild cat’s diet must be closely monitored in order to prevent obesity. The only thing that can prevent the animal from becoming overweight is a few periodic fasting days because it uses a lot less energy in captivity. Once a week, the cat should be allowed to have a "hungry" day when no live food or meat is allowed.

An Amur cat fed out of balance may gain too much weight and become unwell.

A wild cat’s daily diet typically consists of 200–300 grams of lean meat (such as turkey or beef) and two small rodents or one large rat.

By the way! Cats should only get fish once a week at most. If not, the animal’s body will gradually lose calcium, which could result in rickets.

Castration

The unruly nature of the leopard cat can be controlled by promptly castrating the pet, which will also help to calm its wild side. However, owners are advised to reconsider if they would like to add Far Eastern cats to their collection. Is it reasonable to rob the animal of its ability to procreate in order to obtain a fluffy "toy"—especially considering the context of its slow disappearance? It is ultimately up to them to make a decision.

A unique species that lives well in the wild areas of the Russian Far East is the Amur forest cat. Notable for its versatility and robust survival instincts, this feline has acquired distinct features that differentiate it from other domestic varieties.

The Amur forest cat, named after its remarkable fur pattern and solitary lifestyle, is a shy animal that is seldom observed by people. But as a predator in the ecosystem, it helps keep the balance of the local wildlife.

Understanding this species helps us understand the diversity of wild cats and their significance in the natural world, even though they are not suited for life as pets. To ensure their survival for future generations, it is imperative to protect their habitat.

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