IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Guggisberg, C.A.W. | |
| Leopard Cat _Prionailurus bengalensis_ (Kerr 1792) | |
| 1975 Book Chapter | |
Characteristics, distribution and habits of the leopard cat In 1972 a small Indian cat, yellowish and with black markings, was described by Kerr and named Felis bengalensis. As the zoological exploration of southeastern Asia progressed, many similar cats were given specific distinction, and they can be found scattered through the literature of the last century under names such as Sumatra cat, Javan cat, lesser cat, Chinese cat, Elliot's cat, Jerdon's cat, and wagati cat. They are now regarded as belonging to one species only, Kerr's Felis bengalensis, which has, however, been split up into at least ten subspecies. Most zoologists do not refer to it any longer under the generic designation Felis, but prefer to include it, together with several other Asiatic species, in the genus Prionailurus. The skull is rather short, rounded, and has the orbits of the eye sockets open at the back. The anterior upper premolar is usually present. |
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