The Iriomote cat is a critically endangered small wild cat. It is a subspecies of the leopard cat that can only be found on the Japanese island of Iriomote. There are less than 110 Iriomote cats still living in the wild. The cat was first discovered in 1965 by author Yukio Togawa (African Animals).

Scientific Name: Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis (Leopard cat subspecies)

Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

More About the Iriomote Cat

Physical Characteristics

The Iriomote cat’s fur ranges in color from light brown to dark grey. The cat has white hair along its jaw, with two dark spots on each cheek. Stripes run from the forehead of the cat to the back of its head. The tail is brown with a dark tip. The Iriomote has rounded ears and amber-colored eyes.

Iriomote Cat FROM TO
Weight 6.6 lbs. 11 lbs.
Body Length 20 in. 24 in.
Tail Length 9.1 in. 9.4 in

 

Habitat

The Japanese island of Iriomote is the largest (110 square miles) of the Yaeyama islands, an archipelago (chain of islands) southwest of Japan. The island has a population of around 2,300. Because there is no place for a plane to land, most people who travel to the island by ferry.

Almost the entire island (90%) is covered by jungle and mangrove swamps. The cats usually inhabit the subtropical forests, and are rarely seen more than 660 ft. above sea level.

Hunting & Prey

Iriomote cats like many other small wild cats feed on small mammals (rats, foxes boars), reptiles and birds, as well as fish, amphibians and crustaceans. They will pluck the feathers of birds before they eat them. They have been observed swimming and diving to catch water birds.

Reproduction & Lifespan

The Iriomote cat breeds from December to March. There are usually one to three kittens in a litter. The kittens remain with their mother for approximately 11 months. They reach sexual maturity at around 20 months.

Iriomote cats live around seven to eight years in the wild, and up to nine years in captivity.

Conservation Threats

There are several factors that put the survival of the Iriomote cat at high risk, including habitat loss, traffic accidents, accidental trapping (traps set for boars and crabs) and dogs preying on the cats. Inbreeding with domestic cats and disease transmission from domestic cats are also problems.