African golden cat vs. Asian golden cat

The African golden cat and the Asian golden cat are both medium-sized wild cats named after the color of their coat and their native continent. The African golden cat is endemic to the rainforests of West and Central Africa whereas the Asian golden cat occurs in the northeastern Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and China.

Scientifically, the African golden cat is known as "Caracal aurata." On the other hand, the Asian golden cat is known scientifically as "Catopuma temminckii."

Conservation status

The African golden cat and the Asian golden cat are both endangered species, meaning their population is decreasing. Both golden cats are listed as "Near Threatened" on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. The African golden cat is threatened due to bushmeat hunting and deforestation. Similarly, the Asian golden cat is threatened by habitat destruction and poaching.

In 2015, the population of the African golden cat was estimated to be 10,000, but nobody is sure. According to the International Society for Endangered Cats (ISEC), the African Golden Cat has lost about 44% of their former range and is very vulnerable to extinction. The population of the Asian golden cat in the wild is unknown. However, according to the ISEC, there are currently less than a dozen Asian golden cats in zoos worldwide.

Appearance

The African golden cat's body size ranges from 24 to 40 inches with a long tail measuring 6.3 to 18.1 inches. The cat measures 15 to 22 inches in height and weighs around 12 to 35 pounds. Male African golden cats tend to be larger than their female counterparts. The African golden cat has a stocky body and a fur color ranging from reddish-brown to dark slaty.

Most African golden cats are spotted, with the spots ranging from faded tan to black in color. The cat has a rounded head, which is relatively small compared to its stocky body. Its head has a heavy muzzle with few markings on the face. Overall, the African golden cat resembles the caracal, a medium-sized wild cat native to Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

With a head-to-body length of 26–41 inches, the Asian golden cat is larger and heavier than the African golden cat. The Asian stands 22 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs from 20 to 35 pounds. The Asian golden cat's size is about two or three times that of a domestic cat. It has a fur color ranging from golden, reddish brown to buff brown.

Like the African, the Asian golden cat has a round head, which is adorned with small, rounded ears. Across the Asian golden cat's cheeks run white and black lines. It is a robustly built cat with relatively long legs and large paws. Overall, the Asian golden cat resembles the bay cat, a small wild cat endemic to the island of Borneo.

Ecology and behavior

Very little is known about the African golden cat's behavior. This is due to its extremely reclusive habits. It is a solitary creature that is active both during the day and night, depending on the availability of local prey. This wild feline hunts primarily on the ground, albeit it can climb.

African golden cats, for the most part, feed on tree hyrax and rodents. However, they also hunt duikers, baby giant forest hogs, birds, and small monkeys. African golden cats have also been known to take domestic birds including chickens. The African golden cat's natural predator is the leopard, although it is also hunted by humans.

Like the African, the Asian golden cat is a territorial and solitary animal. Previous observations suggested that the Asian golden cat is primarily a nocturnal creature. However, a new study revealed that the cat is active primarily during the twilight period, making it a crepuscular creature.

Like the African, the Asian golden cat hunts primarily on the ground but can climb trees when necessary. They mainly feed on birds, hares, rodents, reptiles, and small ungulates. Other than humans, there are no known predators for which the Asian golden cat serves as prey.

Distribution and habitat

African golden cats inhabit tropical forests and prefer dense, moist forests with heavy undergrowth close to rivers. They also live in bamboo and cloud forests, as well as high moorland habitats. African golden cats can be found in northern Angola, Senegal, Kenya, Central African Republic.

The Asian golden cat, on the other hand, is distributed from northeastern India, eastern Nepal, and Bhutan, to Bangladesh, and Myanmar. They can also be found in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, southern China, and Sumatra. The Asian golden cat inhabits dry deciduous, subtropical evergreen and tropical rainforests. The cat prefers forest habitats interspersed with rocky areas, unlike the African golden cat, who prefers dense, moist forests with heavy undergrowth close to rivers.