Wildlifeof Bhutan
Marbled Cat
Cats
Photo: Mike Gordon — wildlifeofeverywhere.com · Open licence
Pardofelis marmorata
Basic stats
Diet
Birds, squirrels and other rodents, and reptiles
Habitat
Forest; in Bhutan broadleaved and mixed conifer forest up to 3,810m
Range
Eastern Himalayas to Southeast Asia; in Bhutan Royal Manas, Jigme Dorji and Wangchuck Centennial National Parks
Size
Head and body 45–62cm; tail 35–55cm
Weight
2–5kg
The marbled cat is about the size of a domestic cat, with rounded ears and a very long, thickly furred tail as long as the head and body, which acts as a counterbalance in the trees. The long fur varies from brownish-grey to ochre-brown above and greyish to buff below, with black stripes on the head, neck and back and solid spots on the tail, limbs and underbelly (Wikipedia, general species account).
In Bhutan it has been recorded in Royal Manas National Park, and in broadleaved and mixed conifer forest up to 3,810m in Jigme Dorji National Park and Wangchuck Centennial National Park. The first radio-tracked marbled cat had a home range of 5.8 square kilometres at 1,000 to 1,200m and was active mainly at night and at dusk or dawn. Forest canopies probably supply much of its prey.
Quick answers
- What does the Marbled Cat eat?
- Birds, squirrels and other rodents, and reptiles
- What habitat does the Marbled Cat live in?
- Forest; in Bhutan broadleaved and mixed conifer forest up to 3,810m
- Where is the Marbled Cat found?
- Eastern Himalayas to Southeast Asia; in Bhutan Royal Manas, Jigme Dorji and Wangchuck Centennial National Parks
- How big is the Marbled Cat?
- Head and body 45–62cm; tail 35–55cm
- How much does the Marbled Cat weigh?
- 2–5kg