The Wildlife Conservation Society and Prospect Park Zoo recently announced that a tiny Black Footed Cat is on display at the park. On the endangered species red list since 2002, the cat is the smallest wild cat in the world, weighing between 3 and 4 pounds on average and about a foot long.
Although small in stature, weighing only 3-4 pounds, black-footed cats are formidable hunters. They are nocturnal and hunt birds and rodents at night. Their large eyes enable them to see well in the darkness and their spotted coat provides camouflage against the brush. Unlike many cat species, black-footed cats are not good climbers. In the wild, they will repurpose abandoned termite mounds and other animals’ burrows for shelter. Black-footed cats are largely solitary and rarely seen in the wild.
The male will receive a mate soon to help with repopulation efforts. Visit the unnamed Black-Footed Cat anytime during normal operating hours at the Prospect Park Zoo.
Matt Coneybeare
Editor in Chief
Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.
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