Wildlifeof Bhutan
Asian Golden Cat
Cats
Photo: James Eaton · CC0
Catopuma temminckii
Basic stats
Diet
Muntjacs, chevrotains, young sambar, hares, rodents, reptiles and birds
Habitat
Forest; recorded in many Bhutanese protected areas
Range
Eastern Nepal, north-east India and Bhutan to Southeast Asia and southern China
Size
Head and body 66–105cm; tail 40–57cm
Weight
9–16kg
The Asian golden cat is a medium-sized wild cat, 56cm at the shoulder, highly variable in colour: reddish, golden, cinnamon, grey, brown, spotted and black. White stripes edged in dark brown or black run from the nose across the cheeks and over the head, and the rounded ears are black on the back. Males are generally larger than females (Wikipedia, general species account).
In Bhutan five distinct colour forms have been recorded: golden, grey, spotted, black and cinnamon. The first four have been recorded in Jigme Dorji National Park, Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bumthang, Torsa Strict Nature Reserve, Wangchuck Centennial National Park, forests of Royal Manas in Trashigang, and Phrumsengla National Park. It is solitary, agile in trees, and takes mainly small hoofed animals.
Quick answers
- What does the Asian Golden Cat eat?
- Muntjacs, chevrotains, young sambar, hares, rodents, reptiles and birds
- What habitat does the Asian Golden Cat live in?
- Forest; recorded in many Bhutanese protected areas
- Where is the Asian Golden Cat found?
- Eastern Nepal, north-east India and Bhutan to Southeast Asia and southern China
- How big is the Asian Golden Cat?
- Head and body 66–105cm; tail 40–57cm
- How much does the Asian Golden Cat weigh?
- 9–16kg