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.
Scientific Name: Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis (Leopard cat subspecies)
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Lineage: The Iriomote cat, a leopard cat subspecies, belongs to the Leopard cat lineage. The lineage includes two genus (Otocolobus and Prionailurus). Other species in this lineage include the flat-headed cat, Sunda leopard cat, rusty-spotted cat and fishing cat.
Interesting Iriomote cat facts
- The cat was first discovered in 1965 by author Yukio Togawa (African Animals).
- In Japanese, it is called the Iriomote mountain cat, wild cat, forest cat, that which shines in the forest and that which has flashing eyes.
- The Iriomote cat has two dark spots on each cheek.
- The cat has only 28 teeth.
- The cat’s anal glands are around, not inside the anus.
- Becaause the Iriomote island is only 110 square miles, the cat’s habitat is considered the smallest of all the wild cat species.
Images: Japan’s Iriomote island.
More about the Iriomote cat
The Iriomote cat is an island that can be found in subtropical forests and mangroves and near water sources.
Physical characteristics
The Iriomote cat’s fur ranges from light brown to dark grey. It has white hair along its jaw, with two dark spots on each cheek. Stripes run from the forehead to the back of the 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.
Home ranges of males and females often overlap.
Hunting and prey (diet)
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.
Mating, reproduction & lifespan
The Iriomote cat breeds from December to March. A litter usually contains one to three kittens. The kittens remain with their mother for approximately 11 months and 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.
Iriomote cat conservation threats
Several factors put the survival of the Irisomote 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.
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