The African Golden Cat By Courtney Nelson

About Profelis aurata Medium in size, 31 in with a 12 in tail Coat color depends on location- goldish/reddish brown to slate/silver grey.

Habitat The African Golden Cat lives in the jungles of Africa. All the way from Senegal, in the west, to Kenya in the east. Green= habitat area Orange= suspected area

Behavior Little is know about the behavior of these cats in the wild. Most has been learned by watching captive cats. They are thought to be solitary, hunting alone at night, but its not for sure.

Diet The African Golden Cat is able to climb, but hunts primarily on the ground. They mainly feed on rodents, but also include birds, small monkeys, and duikers, giant forest hogs, and small antelope in their diet. These cats have also been known to take domestic poultry and livestock.

Near Threatened Without this animal monkeys and all the animals it eats would become over populated and throw the whole ecosystem off balanced. This cat is one of the predators that helps sustain that balance. There are laws in place to protect this animal, deforestation of tropical rainforests is endangering the African Golden Cat and all the other organisms that inhabit that area. The best way to protect and keep these animals alive and well is to stop cutting down those trees.

Extra Information Closely related to Serval and Caracal Two sub-species: Profelis aurata - from Congo to Uganda and Profelis aurata celidogaster - throughout Western Africa