Black-footed cat - Felis nigripes
© Josie Shadwell
Weight 2.5 - 5.5 pounds
Length Head/body 14.5-20 inches
Length tail 6-10 inches
Subspecies Felis nigripes nigripes Southern Africa
Felis nigripes thomasi East Cape Provence
Other Names
small spotted cat (English)
chat à pieds noirs (French)
Schwarzfusskatze (German)
gato patinegro, gato de pies negros (Spanish)
The black-footed cat is among the world's smallest felines. This small African member of the cat family has males weighing in at 4.5 lbs. and females around 3.25 lbs. It is only found in the semi-dessert and grassland of South-West Africa, mainly on the Kalahari Desert.
It is boldly patterned with blackish oblong spots, and its legs are barred with thick dark stripes. The undersides of its feet are black, like those of the African wildcat. The pads of his feet are surrounded by long black hairs, which give this small felid its name as well as protecting it from the heat of the semi-desert habitat. These hairs on the bottom of the feet also aid the cat in locating subterranean insects. The tail is ringed and black tipped. It has large ears and extremely acute hearing. It also has a large broad head in proportion to its body.
The diet consists mainly of small mammals and birds, and includes also arachnids, insects and reptiles. They catch larks by stalking to within a short range and making quick run and jump. They sometimes catch the larks in the air as they fly away. Stalking or waiting patiently at holes has caught small rodents. They also caught larger winged insects such as grasshoppers. The black-footed cats will sometimes cache rodent and bird carcasses in hollows, returning later to feed. They have also been observed scavenging on a springbok lamb.
The cat is generally active between sunset and sunrise, and only during the cold winter months at first light and in late afternoon.
Black-footed cats occupy disused burrows, such as those made by springhares, or rocky crevices. They will also use other creature's homes to avoid danger from larger predators.
Black-footed cats are apparently water-independent. This adaptation allows the cat to go without water in its arid habitat, instead gaining its entire moisture requirement from its food.
Among the locals, the Black-footed cat is sometimes call the "anthill tiger." It is the use of termite nests for dens that give this felid the name.
There are usually only 1 or 2 kittens born in a litter. As soon as she is able the mother removes them from their den and takes them with her while she hunts. By six weeks they are hunting their own food, but they don't leave their mother until they are around 18 months old.
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