Catopuma badia (Gray, 1874)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2009, Felidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 1 Carnivores, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 54-168 : 141

9.

Bay Cat

Catopuma badia

French: Chat de Bornéo / German: Borneo-Goldkatze / Spanish: Gato badia

Other common names: Bornean Bay Cat

Taxonomy. Felis badia Gray, 1874 ,

Sarawak, Borneo [ Malaysia].

Has been sometimes considered conspecific with C. temminckii , but genetic analysis shows that the two are better considered separate species. Monotypic.

Distribution. Borneo.

Descriptive notes. Resembles a small C. temmincku. Head-body of a female 53-3 cm, tail measured 39-1 cm; weight 1-95 kg but animal in emaciated condition. Coat color is dimorphic, mahogany red, faintly speckled with black markings, or blackish gray. Of twelve known specimens, ten were red phase. Belly fur is pale golden brown and speckled with black. Ears are short and rounded, set low on side of head. Backs of ears are dark. Underside ofchin is white and there are two faint brown stripes on cheeks. A yellowish-white stripe runs down the underside of the terminal half of the tail.

Habitat. Most early specimens were collected in dense forest, along rivers. In 2003, two individuals were snared in Sabah,in traps set in a five-year-old pulp-wood plantation that was formerly lowland dipterocarp forest. A compilation of 15 recent observations show that Bay Cats occur in a variety offorested habitats, including low and hill dipterocarp forests, mangrove, riverine, and montane forests.

Food and Feeding. Nothing known.

Activity patterns. Nothing known.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Nothing known.

Breeding. Nothing known.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix II. Classified as Endangered on the The [UCN Red List. Fully protected over most ofits range. Hunting and trade prohibited. Extremely rare, probably fewer than eight individuals have been trapped since 1928. Local trappers and animal dealers are aware of the species value and demandsforlive specimens have increased illegal trapping pressure, which mayjeopardize this rare species.

Bibliography. Azlan & Sanderson (2007), Gray (1874), Guggisberg (1975), Hose (1893), Johnson, Shinyashiki et al. (1999), Nowell & Jackson (1996), Sunquist & Sunquist (2002), Sunquist et al. (1994).

Figures

8. Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata), 9. Bay Cat (Catopuma badia), 10. Asian Golden Cat (Catopuma temminckii), 11. Serval (Leptailurus serval), 12. African Golden Cat (Profelis aurata), 13. Caracal (Caracal caracal)

Distribution. Borneo.