Description and photo of the Amur forest cat, the possibility of keeping it at home

The Amur forest cat is a solitary feline species that inhabits the dense forests of China, Korea, and the Russian Far East. The Amur cat has captured the attention of animal lovers all over the world with its remarkable appearance, which is similar to that of a domestic cat but with wilder features.

This medium-sized cat blends in with its surroundings thanks to its muscular build, round ears, and unique coat that is speckled with stripes and spots. It is well-suited for severe weather because of its thick fur, which protects it from the frigid climate of its habitat.

Appearance of the Amur forest cat

A subspecies of the wild Bengal cat is the Amur forest cat. It is smaller than domestic cats and only marginally larger than other wild members of the cat family. Males weigh between 6 and 8 kg on average, but some can weigh up to 15 kg. Males are larger than females. The picture shows you what an Amur cat looks like.

The tail makes up one-third of the body’s length, which ranges from 60 to 90 cm. The tail of some members of this subspecies can grow up to 40 cm in length. Cats have powerful, muscular bodies with long, powerful legs. The legs have tiny, powerful claws that slide back into the pads with ease.

The head is small and rounded in relation to the body. The forehead is high and the eyes are quite close to one another. Amur cats have small, widely spaced ears and lack the tassels on the tips of their ears that many wild cats have. The nose has a brown lobe and is broad and flat. The pads beneath the whiskers are defined and plump. The animal’s long, sharp, and thick fangs enable it to tear through tough, aged meat.

Animal color

Among its relatives, the wild Far Eastern cat is distinguished by its long and thick fur. An adult’s body hair can grow up to 5 cm in length. It can survive in harsh climates thanks to its fur coat. The cat sheds in the fall, growing longer and thicker fur, and then sheds again in the spring.

The cat is practically undetectable among the trees because of its reddish-brown color. The color of the animal’s back varies from gray-yellow to gray-brown, and it is darker than its belly. Three dark brown stripes run along the cat’s spine; on some, they blend into a single, broad stripe. There are four to five transverse, thin, reddish-colored stripes on the neck. The cat’s paws and face are also adorned with stripes.

Typically, the long, thin tail is either red or brown in color. But in certain individuals of the species, it’s streaked with black and gray.

See also: Characteristics and description of the Bengal cat breed, cost of a kitten? Bengal cat with leopard color.

The entire body of the cat is covered in distinct red round spots. They have a dark hue on their back, while the spots in their belly and groin are lighter and more yellow-colored. The Amur breed gained the moniker "money cat" as a result of this coloring. The color of the cat was thought by the people of China to be reminiscent of old copper coins.

Known for its striking appearance and solitary nature, the Amur forest cat is a wild feline that is native to the forests of eastern Russia and parts of Asia. Despite its resemblance to domestic cats, its wild instincts and unique requirements make it difficult to keep as a pet. An Amur forest cat is not suitable for most households because it needs to be cared for in a controlled environment and requires experience with exotic animals. Nonetheless, there are ways to appreciate its beauty and discover more about its habitat through images and initiatives aimed at conserving this rare species.

Habitat of the Amur forest cat

The Amur River basin, the Far East, and the Sea of Japan coast are home to amur forest cats. The Tsushima cat, as the animal is known there, is found in small numbers on Tsushima Island.

When this subspecies was first found throughout Primorye, Khabarovsk Krai, and Transbaikalia, the population has drastically declined. Human activity was the cause of this. Because of clearing forests, uprooting bushes, and plowing virgin lands, there is less habitat. Many animals perished in traps, and these cats—along with wolves—were long viewed as agricultural enemies and were purposefully eradicated.

The Amur leopard cat is currently protected under Primorsky Krai’s Red Book. Killing an animal carries heavy fines. Rough estimates place the number of surviving individuals in the world between two and three thousand. In Japan, there are roughly fifty of them. These days, the animal is mostly found in the reserves of Khankaisky, Ussuriysky, Bolshekhekhtsirsky, Kedrovaya Pad, and Lazovsky.

Nutrition and lifestyle

The season affects the Amur cat’s eating habits, both in terms of frequency and type. During spring, summer, and fall, the animal attempts to store as much fat beneath its skin as it can. Despite its small size, a cat can eat up to 15-20 mice and 3–4 birds per day. The cat may go weeks or even days without eating during the winter, which explains why it has such a large diet. He waits for a rodent to come across him by accident and hardly ever leaves his house. As a result, the animal puts on weight in the summer and uses its fat reserves to stay warm in the winter.

What is the diet of an Amur cat? Mice and other rodents, birds, snakes, hares, and muskrats are among the foods consumed. A cat will gladly feast on a roe deer or any other large animal if it can overpower it.

How can such large mammals be caught by small cats? The truth is that Amur cats are expert tree climbers and natural hunters who track down prey in ambush. They can quickly and with great agility catch their prey and bite it with their long fangs. They like to hunt at dusk and spend the day hiding in shelters. Some people break into villages and take domestic animals like chickens.

Amur cats are solitary creatures that only come together in groups during the spring mating season. They each have individual territories that are 9–10 square kilometers in size within their habitat. The animals fiercely defend their territory’s borders and won’t let outsiders in. They have a strong attachment to their home and will only reluctantly leave it in dire circumstances, such as when food is scarce.

Cats like rocks free of snow, even though their thick fur allows them to survive in harsh climates. The truth is that snow over 30 to 40 cm thick is too thick for Far Eastern cats to hunt in.

The intelligence of those who belong to this subspecies sets them apart. They are therefore a very strong foe because not all dogs or even wolves can handle a small Amur cat. The way the housing is arranged is another example of inventiveness. A larger animal cannot fit through the narrow openings in rocks or snow-covered windfalls that the cat prefers. The average lifespan is 17–18 years.

These cats have natural enemies, even though they are fierce predators. Cats are preyed upon by wolves, sables, martens, and golden eagles, particularly young kittens.

Features of reproduction

Beginning at the end of February and continuing through March is the mating season. The sudden roar of males fills the forest, luring females in for mating. This is the only time that they join together in pairs and stay with them while the cat is pregnant and raising her young.

The mother bears her kittens for nine to ten weeks. Three to four cubs are born in a litter on average. Kittens are small, blind, and unprepared for an independent life at birth; the cat will nurse them for up to 2.5 months. They open their eyes on the tenth day, start to exhibit cognitive functions at two months, and won’t be prepared for a life of their own until six months.

Throughout this period, the cat guards its young with jealousy because there are many predators in the area who would kill blind kittens, such as martens. Amur cats make wonderful, devoted parents. Cats move the babies to a new location and hide them if danger strikes. Males assist in feeding the kittens, who in turn provide food for the females and babies.

Rarely do Amur cats forsake their young. Only females who are primiparous can experience this. Ordinary domestic cats can pick up kittens and accept them as their own.

An Amur cat and a domestic cat can mate because of their similar sizes. The kittens in this instance are untamed and attempt to flee into the forest. This kind of crossbreeding may contribute to the Amur cat population growth.

Is it possible to keep an Amur forest cat at home?

Can an Amur forest cat be domesticated? Members of this breed of cat are extremely averse to people. Attempts to tame them frequently fall short. The animal may become accustomed to a small number of people in its territory if it is close to a populated area, such as a village, but it will be extremely wary of others.

Also see: How to tell a Siamese cat from a Thai cat, and what are the breed differences between the two?

These felines are not suited to a life of confinement. They follow a rigid lifestyle and possess a highly developed hunting instinct that makes it impossible for them to procreate at home. What should be done if someone comes across helpless Amur cat kittens?

First and foremost, they must have access to a roomy enclosure. They are not suited for living in a house, much less an apartment. So that the animal has contact with the ground, grass such as calendula and clover should be planted inside the enclosure.

Cats should be fed food that is as close to natural conditions as possible, such as rodents or chickens, rather than home food. The pet owner needs to keep a close eye on his pet’s diet. Because it uses a lot less energy in the enclosure than it does in the wild, the cat must periodically schedule fasting days in order to prevent obesity. It is advised to have a "hungry" day once a week.

When the Amur cat reaches puberty, it will start to run for freedom. It won’t be able to be contained in the enclosure for long before it turns hostile. Castrating a grown cat is the only way to tame it. Nonetheless, considering all the advantages and disadvantages multiple times is worthwhile, as the Amur cat population is steadily declining.

Description	Photo
The Amur forest cat is a wild feline native to the forests of the Russian Far East, China, and Korea. It has a stocky build, thick fur for harsh winters, and a coat with dark spots. While similar in size to domestic cats, it is a solitary and territorial animal. It is not recommended to keep it as a pet due to its wild nature and specific habitat needs.
Possibility of keeping at home	Photo
Keeping an Amur forest cat at home is not advised. It requires a large natural habitat, has a strong hunting instinct, and does not adapt well to domestic life. It is better left in the wild or in conservation areas where its needs can be properly met.

The Amur forest cat, with its remarkable appearance and strong survival instincts, is an intriguing and wild animal. Although some people might be tempted to keep it as a pet due to its beauty, its wild nature makes it a difficult pet for a home setting.

This cat is happiest in the wild, where it is free to roam and hunt as it would naturally. An Amur forest cat is not suited for long-term indoor living or human interaction, so trying to domesticate one could cause stress for both the cat and its owners.

It’s vital to think about more doable, domesticated options if you’re interested in exotic or wild cats. The Amur forest cat is best appreciated from a distance, in its native environment, where it can exist in safety and freedom.

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