Meet the wild cat so small it could fit in the palm of your hand. Native to the forests of India and Sri Lanka, the elusive rusty-spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus) is the smallest wild cat in the world.
Smaller Than a House Cat
A fully grown rusty-spotted cat measures only about 35–48 cm (14–19 in) in body length, with a tail roughly 15–30 cm (6–12 in) long. It weighs just 0.9–1.6 kg (2–3.5 lbs). This wild cat’s body is shorter than the tail of an average domestic cat.
Its coat is soft and grayish-fawn with a wash of rust-colored spots along the back and flanks. Its eyes are unusually large for its body size, likely improving night vision for hunting in the dark.
This post is for paid subscribers
Get full access to this post and everything else we publish.
Upgrade to paid