The African Golden Cat is a very reclusive animal and little has been known about it's behavior in the past. It lives in the rainforests of central and western Africa and loves the dense forest areas with thick undergrowth where it can remain unseen. It also tends to locate near rivers. It is a small wild cat only about twice the size of the domesticated cat weighing in at an average of 28lbs. Although their lifespan is unknown in the wild, in captivity they can live up to about 12 years.
The African Golden Cat is a solitary animal and they are also nocturnal. However, depending on the availability of local prey they have also been seen hunting during the day. Although they are quite agile and can climb most of their hunting is done on the ground. They hunt and feed mainly on rodents, but they will also eat birds, bats, small monkeys, giant forest hogs and small antelope. If wild game is scarce they have also been known to prey on domestic poultry and livestock.
Because they are so reclusive they have only been captured in still photos in the past or when one was found deceased. Their behavior has not been studied much at all. Recently a video camera was set up by the organization Panthera and rare footage was taken of the African Golden cat preening and hunting in the rainforest of Gabon. This is believed to be the first publicly released videotape of this wild cat. Because the African Golden Cat is on the verge of becoming endangered, Panthera is hoping that this will spur more interest in studying this beautiful but elusive cat.
The African Golden Cat is a solitary animal and they are also nocturnal. However, depending on the availability of local prey they have also been seen hunting during the day. Although they are quite agile and can climb most of their hunting is done on the ground. They hunt and feed mainly on rodents, but they will also eat birds, bats, small monkeys, giant forest hogs and small antelope. If wild game is scarce they have also been known to prey on domestic poultry and livestock.
Because they are so reclusive they have only been captured in still photos in the past or when one was found deceased. Their behavior has not been studied much at all. Recently a video camera was set up by the organization Panthera and rare footage was taken of the African Golden cat preening and hunting in the rainforest of Gabon. This is believed to be the first publicly released videotape of this wild cat. Because the African Golden Cat is on the verge of becoming endangered, Panthera is hoping that this will spur more interest in studying this beautiful but elusive cat.
