African Golden Cat

The African golden cat is a medium-sized wild cat that lives in West and Central Africa, mostly in forested areas.

CLASSIFICATION

Interesting African golden cat facts

• African golden cats live in Africa in regions near the equator.
• The cats are reclusive, small wild cats found in tropical rainforests.
• The cat’s habitat has signficantly declined due to hunting and deforestation.
• The African golden cat is twice as large as domestic cats.
• They have round, tufted ears.
• Their fur can be golden, gray, red, sometimes black, and spotted.
• African golden cats are nocturnal animals, with peak periods of activity in the early morning and evening.
• This first photograph of the African golden cat was in 2002.

More About the African Golden Cat

The African golden cat subspecies Caracal aurata aurata can be found from the Congo to Uganda. The African golden cat subspecies Caracal aurata celidogaster inhabits Western Africa.

Origins and history

The African golden cat (Caracal aurata) is part of the cat family and is closely related to the caracal and the serval.

Scientists believe that these three cats all came from a common ancestor that lived in Africa about 2 to 3 million years ago.

Over time, they adapted to different environments. While the caracal and serval live mostly in open areas like savannas, the African golden cat adapted to life in thick rainforests.

Even though it was once placed in its own group called Profelis, newer DNA studies showed it belongs in the same group as the caracal. This makes the African golden cat the most forest-adapted member of this wild cat family.

Physical Characteristics

The body length of an African golden cat averages 31 inches, with a 12-inch tail. Male cats are typically larger than female cats. The cat has a stocky build, with a head that is considerably smaller than its body. It generally weighs between 15 and 35 lbs.

African golden cats’ fur varies from golden brown and red-brown to grey. The fur around their eyes, cheeks, chin, throat, and underside is often lighter than their coats. Many of these cats are also spotted. It has also been reported that the cat’s fur can change color due to age and environment. However, the cat’s various fur colors have been seen throughout its range.

Location and habitat

The African golden cat lives in the rainforests of central and western Africa. There are two subspecies, and each lives in a different part of the continent.

One subspecies, Caracal aurata aurata, is found in Central Africa. It lives in countries like Cameroon, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This cat prefers thick, tropical rainforests where it can hide and hunt. It is often found in lowland forests, but it can also live in forests in hilly or mountainous areas.

The other subspecies, Caracal aurata celidogaster, is found in West Africa. It lives in places like Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana. This cat also likes dense forests, but it can sometimes be found in areas where the forest mixes with grassland, called forest-savanna mosaics.

Both subspecies need places with lots of trees and cover to feel safe and to hunt their food. They are shy and secretive, which is why they are very hard to see in the wild.

African golden cat behavior

The African golden cat is a solitary animal that primary hunts at night.

Hunting and prey (diet)

African golden cats are solitary hunters, which means they hunt alone, usually at night or during the early morning and evening. They are quiet and sneaky, using the thick forest to hide and stalk their prey. Once they get close enough, they pounce quickly and powerfully to catch it.

These cats eat a variety of animals. Their prey includes rodents like rats and mice, birds, small monkeys, and even small antelopes or duikers. They have also been known to eat reptiles, like lizards, and sometimes insects.

African golden cats are strong and fast, which helps them catch animals that move quickly or try to escape by climbing trees. Their diet can change depending on what animals live in their part of the forest.

Mating and Reproduction 

The female gestation period is approximately 75 days. Liters consist of one to two kittens. Females reach their sexual maturity at around 11 months of age. Males reach their sexual maturity later, at 18 months of age.

No one knows how long African golden cats live in the wild, but their lifespan in captivity is around 12 years.

African golden cat conservation

Deforestation is destroying tropical rainforests and the habitat of the African golden cat. Hunting the cat is illegal in Benin, Burkina Faso, Angola, Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Cote d’lvoire. There are also restrictions in Togo, Liberia, and Gabon.

African golden cat research and quotes

“The African golden cat (Caracal aurata) is the least known felid in Africa, and one of the most poorly known cats in the world.” journals.plos.org

“Our results indicate that African golden cats are primarily diurnal and favor intact forest, avoiding areas with high human activity.” journals.plos.org

“Ongoing forest loss and bushmeat hunting are likely the greatest threats to the long-term persistence of this species.” journals.plos.org