Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata)

About Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata)

• The Marbled cat is a small wild cat that lives in the mountainous areas of Asia.
• Scientific name: Its scientific name is Pardofelis marmorata.
• It is closely related to the Asian golden cat and the Bay cat.
• Habitat: It is primarily found in moist, tropical evergreen forests and have also been recorded in mixed deciduous forests and secondary growth areas.
• Distribution: Its range extends from the Himalayan foothills in Nepal across southwestern China and throughout mainland Southeast Asia to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. 
  • In India, it is found in West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Tripura.
• Characteristics: 
  • Appearance:
    • The marbled cat is about the same size as a domestic cat.
    • It has rounded ears and a very long tail, which is nearly equal to the combined length of its head and body.
    • The tail is marked with black spots near its base and black rings toward the tip.
    • Its long, dense fur varies in colour from brownish-grey to ochreous brown on the upper body and from greyish to buff on the underparts.
    • The coat is thick, soft, and well adapted to its habitat.
    • The short, rounded head is marked with distinct black stripes. Black stripes also extend along the neck and back.
    • The flanks display irregular dark-edged blotches that merge into larger dark patches, creating a characteristic marbled appearance
    • The limbs, underbelly, and tail bear solid black spots.
    • Spots on the forehead and crown merge into narrow longitudinal stripes on the neck and irregular stripes along the back.
    • It has unusually large feet and prominent canine teeth.
    • Its paws are webbed between the toes, and the claws remain completely sheathed when not in use.
  • Diet: Its diet is largely composed of tree-dwelling prey, including squirrels, rats, and birds. On the forest floor, it may also hunt reptiles, frogs, and various insects.
  • Behaviour: It is primarily diurnal, or active during the day. 
    • It is very good climbers and are semi-arboreal. 
    • It maintains its territory by marking boundaries with urine and scent signals
• Threat: Habitat loss and fragmentation due to logging and agricultural expansion, especially oil palm plantations, are the greatest threats to the Marbled Cat.
  • It is also affected by illegal hunting and trade for its skin, meat, and bones.
• Conservation measures: In October 2025, the Hii:ung Hii:eng community forest in Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, was formally declared India’s first community-conserved area dedicated to the marbled cat by the Lokpeng Welfare Society.
• Conservation status:
  • CITES: Appendix I 
  • IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I