The Black-footed Cat (Felis nigries) is the smallest cat in Africa and the second smallest of all wild cats. It is endemic to the arid regions of southern Africa where it is naturally rare and occurs at low densities. These cats, despite their small size, can travel vast distances in search of sparse prey, and have special adaptations to cope with their semi-arid to arid environment.

Black-footed Cat (Felis nigripes) Unique Facts

~ Second smallest of all wild cats ~

~ Requires no drinking water ~

~ Endemic to southern Africa  ~

Black-footed Cat (Felis nigripes) Classification

The taxonomy or scientific classification of the Black-footed Cat species (Felis nigripes) is as follows:

Kingdom: Animalia   (animals)

Phylum: Chordata   (vertebrates)

Class: Mammalia   (mammals)

Order: Carnivora   (carnivores)

Suborder: Feliformia   (cat-like)

Family: Felidae   (cats)

Subfamily: Felinae   (small cats)

Genus: Felis

Species: Felis nigripes (Black-footed Cat)

Black-footed Cat (Felis nigripes) Subspecies (lower classifications)

The global conservation status for the Black-footed Cat is Vulnerable (VU) due to its restricted range in arid regions of southern Africa, where it is naturally rare and occurs at low densities.

Two subspecies have been recognized in the past:

1. Felis nigripes nigripes - northern range (lighter base color and markings)

2. Felis nigripes thomasi - southern range (darker base color and markings)

However the latest taxonomic revision suggests that only the species Felis nigripes is valid. There is insufficient variation to substantiate a subspecies split and just a northern and southern race is more appropriate.

References:

• The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2017-1. <www.iucnredlist.org> Felis nigripes. 23 May 2017.
• Kitchener et al. 2017. A revised taxonomy of the Felidae. The final report of the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group.

Black-footed Cat (Felis nigripes) Conservation and Research

The Black-footed Cat Working Group has a long term monitoring program in South Africa, assisted by funding from ISEC in Canada.

Black-footed Cat (Felis nigripes) Facts and Information

The following websites have well researched and authoritative information on Black-footed Cats:

• Black-footed Cat Images and Video Clips - ARKive
• Black-footed Cat Fact Sheet - ISEC

• Black-footed Cat Conservation Status - IUCN Red List
• Black-footed Cat Distribution Map - IUCN Red List
• Black-footed Cat Detailed Information and Academic Reference List - IUCN Cat Specialist Group

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