The Cat Survival Trust

The Asiatic Golden Cat

Felis (Catopuma) temmincki Vigors and Horsfield

Photo: Robert C. Martin
©ArtWolfe

Contents

  • Description
  • Distribution
  • Diet
  • Behaviour
  • Reproduction
  • Conservation Status
  • Captive Breeding and Asiatic Golden Cats in Captivity
  • Further Reading

    • Other names

    English:Temminck's golden cat
    French:chat doré d'Asie
    German:Asiatische Goldkatze
    Spanish:gato dorado asiatico

    Description

    The Asiatic golden cat has long been considered to be very closely related to the African species of golden cat. The name refers to the beautiful golden brown coat, although it may vary to very dark brown, grey, or a bright golden red.
    Often plain and unmarked, it may also have spots and/or stripes. Melanistic or all black individuals are not uncommon. The pelt is of a moderate length, dense and rather coarse. The backs of the short rounded ears are black with a central grizzled area. White lines bordered with black run across the cheeks and from the inner corners of the eyes up to the crown. The underside of the terminal third of the tail is white, and the belly is always lighter in colour than the flanks.
    Larger than its African cousin, Temminck’s golden cat is about the size of a large dog. Fishing cats which are found in the same parts of the world are similar in size.
    The eye sockets or orbits are nearly closed at the back. The anterior upper premolar is present.
    Wozencraft, in his controversial1993 reassessment of cat taxonomy, considers Temminck’s golden cat to be in the genus Catopuma, along with the Bornean bay cat which is said to be an island version of Temminck’s cat (Wozencraft 1993). The African golden cat has been separated from these two species and is now the sole representative of the genus Profelis. All of these cats are otherwise classified as Felis.
    Three subspecies of Temminck’s golden cat are described:
    F. (C.) t. temminckiNepal to Malaysia and Indo-China
    F. (C.) t. dominicanorumSouthern China
    F. (C.) t. tristisFontainier's cat; Tibet and northern Burma
    Fontainier’s cat is very heavily patterned in comparison to the other two subspecies and because of this it was regarded for a long time as a variety of the leopard cat.
    Bangjie (1984) reports that there is a very spotted variety in China.

    Principal dimensions

    OverallMalesFemales
    Head and Body lengths (cm) 50-105
    Tail lengths (cm) 35-56
    Weights (Kg)6-16
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    Distribution and Habitats


    Found in southeast Asia from Nepal, Tibet, Sikkim, Assam, Sichuan, Yunnan, Thailand and Malaysia down to Sumatra, Temminck’s golden cat lives in deciduous and tropical rain forests, and occasionally more open habitats. It is said to like wooded areas interspersed with rocky tracts. In parts of China it is known as “Shilului”, the Rock cat, and has been found as high as 2,000 metres.
    The map shows the present distribution of Asiatic Golden Cats in grey.
    The map is based on information in the Wild Cats Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan published by the IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group in 1996. See our Books page for more details.
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    Diet

    This cat is believed to hunt mainly on the ground, but it is able to climb well. Analysis of droppings has revealed that prey species include muntjac as well as rats, while the stomach contents of a cat confiscated from a poacher contained a small snake. It is likely that most species within this size range are taken opportunistically but no other hard evidence exists.
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    Behaviour

    The social system is unknown, but captive males have been seen to lick their kittens and to take an active, tolerant role in their development (Louman and Van Oyen 1968; Frese 1980). This may indicate that Temminck’s cats have a tendency to be sociable, and the male to stay with the female.
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    Reproduction

    One, two, sometimes up to four kittens are born after a gestation period of 75 days (another source gives 80 days). They weigh 250 grammes at birth, and their eyes open at about nine days. By 17 days the kittens are able to walk well. Females are reported to be sexually mature at between 18 months and two years, males at two years.
    It has been reported that Temminck’s cats are able to have two litters in one year.
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    Conservation Status

    Even basic ecological knowledge is seriously lacking for this and many other cat species. It is evident that widespread habitat destruction will substantially affect Temminck’s golden cat.
    There is an intermittent demand for their pelts and hunting pressure is significant. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has prohibited all international commerce in Temminck’s cat products by placing it on Appendix I.
    The IUCN Red List has the Asiatic golden cat as Near Threatened. (Cat News 23, 1995, p. 21)
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    Captive Breeding and Asiatic Golden Cats in Captivity

    Zoos with Asiatic Golden Cats

    Back to Wild Cats of the World Back to CST Home Page

    Last revision 4th December, 1999

    © September 1996 The Cat Survival Trust, The Centre, Codicote Road, Welwyn, AL6 9TU, England.
    Telephone: +44 (0)1438 716873Fax: +44 (0)1438 717535
    email: cattrust@aol.com