Compared to silly dogs, cats are seen as more aloof, lazier, and more independent creatures. Although cats are among the most popular pets, some species are on the brink of extinction due to their dwindling populations or challenges in breeding. Below is a list of these rare cat species.
The Rarest Cat Species on Earth
1. Lykoi Cat
The name of this cat species is Lykoi, derived from Greek, meaning “wolf cat.” They have a mottled gray coat and large golden-yellow eyes. Currently, there are only about 40 Lykoi cats in the world, making them an extremely rare breed.
2. Pallas’s Cat
Pallas’s Cat, also known as Manul, is a small wild cat originating from the grasslands and shrublands of the Caucasus, Hindu Kush, part of the Himalayas, Tibetan Plateau, Tian Shan, and the southern Siberian mountains. With its long, dense fur, it is well adapted to the cold continental climate of this low-rainfall area.
This species is scientifically named Otocolobus manul and is considered one of the most aggressive cats in the world, living at altitudes above 5,000 meters above sea level. This cat has a robust body and long, sharp teeth. Although adults have a rather “fearsome” appearance, their current population outside of their natural habitat is very limited, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed Pallas’s Cat as endangered.
3. Black-footed Cat
Black-footed Cat, scientifically known as Caracal caracal, is a medium-sized wild cat that reaches about 1 meter in length. This cat is sometimes referred to as the desert lynx or African lynx, but it is not a member of the Lynx genus.
The Black-footed Cat is the fastest runner among small cats. Although called a lynx, it does not belong to the Lynx genus. It is best known for its bird-catching skills, particularly being able to catch birds as they land or take off. Currently, the Black-footed Cat is facing extinction.
4. Chinese Mountain Cat
Scientifically named Felis bieti, the Chinese Mountain Cat, also known as the grass cat, is endemic to China, primarily found in the northwestern mountainous regions. They are not afraid of harsh weather and live in deserts, forest edges, thickets, and high-altitude grasslands. Currently, the Chinese Mountain Cat has been listed as a rare animal protected at the national level in China and is included in the “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora”.
5. Black-footed Cat
Also known as Felis nigripes, this cat is named for the black patches on its paws and is endemic to southern Africa. It lives in grassland habitats, arid savannas, scrub, and semi-deserts. The habitat of the Black-footed Cat is already scarce and is further diminishing, facing threats from its natural environment as well as hunting and killing by humans.
6. Margay
The Margay, also known as the tiger cat, is a wild cat species native to the Americas. Its range extends from central Argentina in the south to the United States-Mexico border in the north, across Central and South America to the east of the Andes. The Margay is a medium-sized, slender cat.
This species is at risk of extinction and has a very peculiar appearance, resembling both a cat and a weasel, suggesting that its ancestors may have been a transitional species between the common ancestors of cats, dogs, and weasels.
7. Ocelot
The Ocelot is a wild cat species native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Margarita. As a medium-sized cat, it is characterized by its distinct spots and stripes, round ears, and white underbelly.
Its scientific name is Leopardus pardalis, and there are about 10 subspecies primarily found in the Americas. Due to continuous habitat destruction and hunting for their pelts, this species is on the brink of extinction. As early as 2008, they were listed in the Red Book of the “World Conservation Union” as one of the endangered species.
8. Fishing Cat
The Fishing Cat is a medium-sized wild cat belonging to the Prionailurus genus in the cat family. It is distributed in South Asia and Southeast Asia. In 2008, the IUCN listed this species as threatened due to its primary concentration in wetland areas. This species was described by Bennett in 1833.
As its name suggests, the main prey of this species is fish, and it also hunts other aquatic creatures, including frogs, crustaceans, and more. The Fishing Cat is primarily found in Southeast Asia. Due to the decreasing wetland areas where the Fishing Cat resides, as well as the bushmeat crisis, their populations are gradually declining towards extinction.
9. Serval
Scientifically named Leptailurus serval, this cat resembles a miniature cheetah and primarily inhabits savannas in western, central, and eastern Africa. This species can also be kept as a domestic pet, although it is much larger and more aggressive than regular house cats.
Particularly, this species is used by humans to breed many other cat breeds, the most famous being the Savannah cat, one of the largest cat breeds. However, due to over-exploitation and environmental impacts, this species is now on the brink of extinction.
10. Asian Golden Cat
The Asian Golden Cat is a medium-sized carnivore belonging to the cat family, weighing between 12 to 16 kg, primarily living in the wild. In captivity, this species can live up to 20 years, but their average lifespan in the wild is likely much shorter.
Its scientific name is Catopuma temminckii, primarily distributed in extensive areas of eastern and southern Asia. It mainly feeds on rodents, rabbits, birds, and small deer. For a long time, this cat was considered extinct as no one had seen it in the wild.
