Visayan leopard cat facts for kids

The Visayan leopard cat, also known as maral, is a type of Sunda leopard cat. It lives on the Philippine Islands of Negros, Cebu, and Panay. This wild cat is considered a vulnerable animal. This means its population is decreasing, and it could be in danger of disappearing.

Experts listed it as vulnerable in 2008. Its home range is quite small, less than 20,000 square kilometers (about 7,700 square miles).

What is a Visayan Leopard Cat?

In 1997, an expert named Colin Groves suggested that the Visayan leopard cat was a special type, or subspecies, of leopard cat. He studied its skin and skull to learn more about it.

Later research showed that Sunda leopard cats from different islands like Borneo, Sumatra, and the Philippines are very similar in their genes. Scientists think these cats might have traveled to the Philippine islands from Borneo a long time ago. This happened after a huge volcano erupted, called the Toba Volcano, during the last Ice Age. Because they are so similar, the Visayan leopard cat is now grouped under the name P. javanensis sumatranus.

What Does It Look Like?

The Visayan leopard cat has beautiful fur. Its coat can be dark yellow-brown to a light, creamy brown color. It has large, dark spots all over its body. Its head is a bit narrower than other leopard cats found in Sumatra and Borneo.

Where Do They Live?

The Visayan leopard cat is found only on the Philippine islands of Panay and Negros. It lives in the small pieces of forest that are left on these islands. On Cebu Island, people have also seen them on sugarcane farms.

Sadly, this cat might have already disappeared from Cebu and Masbate islands. The islands of Panay and Negros have lost most of their natural forests. About 90% to 95% of their original habitat is gone. This makes it very hard for the Visayan leopard cat to find a safe home.

Visayan Leopard Cats in Zoos

There are five Visayan leopard cats living at the Mariit Wildlife and Conservation Park. This park is located at the West Visayas State University campus in Lambunao, Iloilo. These cats are important for helping to protect the species.