The Black-footed Cat (Felis nigripes) 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.
Key Facts Black-footed Cats
~ Second smallest of all cats ~
~ Requires little drinking water ~
~ Endemic to southern Africa ~
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Black-footed Cat (Felis nigripes) Classification
Black-footed Cats belong to the genus Felis and the full taxonomy or scientific classification of the Black-footed Cat species 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)
Subspecies: none
The scientific name for the Black-footed Cat is Felis nigripes which is also known as the binomial name, species name, Latin name, biological name or zoological name. Some use the term 'botanical name' however that term is only applicable to the plant kingdom (botany) and not the animal kingdom (zoology).
Classification Chart
This Black-footed Cat classification chart shows where this cat fits into the Felidae family and in particular the Felis genus.
Permission to use for personal or educational use.
Credit: www.WildCatFamily.com.
Black-footed Cat (Felis nigripes) Subspecies
There are no subspecies (types) of Black-footed cats. The last Felidae taxonomy revision in 2017 proposed that only the species Felis nigripes is valid and thus monotypic (no subspecies). There is insufficient variation to substantiate a subspecies split and just a northern and southern race is more appropriate.
Two subspecies of Black-footed Cats 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)
Black-footed Cat (Felis nigripes) Research
Here is a list of papers published on Black-footed Cats. Click on the title bar to view the abstract and the link to the article.
Annual Report of the Black-footed Cat Working Group - 2024. Report on monitoring Black-footed cats (Felis nigripes) on Benfontein Nature Reserve, South Africa, and in Namibia.
Sliwa, Alexander & Küsters, Martina & Swanepoel, Michelle & Schroeder, Michelle & Lawrenz, Arne & Wilson, Beryl. (2025). Black-footed Cat Working Group - Report on catching, monitoring, and censusing Black-footed cats (Felis nigripes) in central South Africa and Namibia in 2024. 10.13140/RG.2.2.25301.74725.
The black-footed cat (Felis nigripes) is the smallest and one of the rarest cats in Africa. Endemic to the semi-arid regions of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, this nocturnal carnivore spends daytime in burrows, thus avoiding high temperatures and diurnal predators. Despite the importance of burrows, den usage has never been studied in detail for this species.
Here we report on the frequency with which female black-footed cats use burrows of different dimensions and compared with burrow availability. The entrances of 50 dens, used by five radio-collared black-footed cats over four weeks, were scanned with LiDAR to measure tunnel width (mean = 15.2 ± 3.9 cm) and height (mean = 13.9 ± 3.6 cm). Of these, 98% (n = 49) most closely matched the dimensions of springhare (Pedetes capensis) burrows.
Each cat used a mean of 11.6 den sites and spent a mean of 2.0 consecutive days in a den before selecting a new one. When kittens reached an age of 44-50 days, mothers switched from using a den for a mean of six days-per-den, to changing dens every day.
Our results suggest that female black-footed cats are reliant upon springhares to provide suitable daytime refugia and maternity dens in southern Namibia. Further studies should be conducted to determine what den sites are selected in the absence of springhare, and whether localised persecution of springhare impacts the survival of black-footed cats.
Brindley, Harold & O'Riain, J.M. & Sliwa, Alexander. (2024). The underground cat: burrow use by female black- footed cats (Felis nigripes). African Zoology. 1-12. 10.1080/15627020.2024.2402249.
The black‐footed cat (Felis nigripes) is endemic to the arid regions of southern Africa. One of the world's smallest wild felids, the species occurs at low densities and is secretive and elusive, which makes ecological studies difficult. Genetic data could provide key information such as estimates on population size, sex ratios, and genetic diversity.
In this study, we test if microsatellite loci can be successfully amplified from scat samples that could be noninvasively collected from the field. Using 21 blood and scat samples collected from the same individuals, we statistically tested whether nine microsatellites previously designed for use in domestic cats can be used to identify individual black‐footed cats. Genotypes recovered from blood and scat samples were compared to assess loss of heterozygosity, allele dropout, and false alleles resulting from DNA degradation or PCR inhibitors present in scat samples. The microsatellite markers were also used to identify individuals from scats collected in the field that were not linked to any blood samples. All nine microsatellites used in this study were amplified successfully and were polymorphic.
Microsatellite loci were found to have sufficient discriminatory power to distinguish individuals and identify clones. In conclusion, these molecular markers can be used to monitor populations of wild black‐footed cats noninvasively. The genetic data will be able to contribute important information that may be used to guide future conservation initiatives.
Siziba, Vimbai & Schroeder, Michelle & Wilson, Beryl & Sliwa, Alexander & Willows-Munro, Sandi. (2024). A method for noninvasive individual genotyping of black‐footed cat (Felis nigripes). Ecology and Evolution. 14. 10.1002/ece3.11315.
Sliwa, A.; Wilson Hartmann, B.; Kusters, M.; Schroeder, M.; Shipala, N.; Hartmann, A.; Drouilly, M.
Black-footed Cat Working Group - Report on surveying, catching and monitoring Black-footed cats (Felis nigripes) on Benfontein Nature Reserve, South Africa and on Grünau Farms, Namibia in 2022
2023 DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.16495.61608
Sliwa, A.; Wilson, B.; Küsters, M.; Herrick, J,; Lawrenz, A.; Lamberski, N.; Hartmann, A.; Anver, J.; Schroeder, M.; Shipala, N.; Hauptfleisch, M.
Black-footed Cat Working Group - Report on surveying, catching and monitoring Black-footed cats (Felis nigripes) on Benfontein Nature Reserve, South Africa and on Grünau Farms, Namibia in 2020
2021 DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.17733.78569
Sliwa, A.; Wilson, B.; Lawrenz, A.; Lamberski, N.; Herrick, J.; Küsters, M. Camera trap use in the study of black-footed cats (Felis nigripes) 2018 African Journal of Ecology (56): 895-897
The black-footed cat (Felis nigripes) is sympatric with several species of larger carnivores, although it is not known how this species partitions resources with potential competitors.
From 2006 to 2008, we captured, radio-collared, and monitored 3 adult black-footed cats on Benfontein Game Farm in South Africa. We investigated their spatial, habitat, temporal, and dietary overlap with Cape foxes (Vulpes chama), bateared foxes (Otocyon megalotis), and black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) that were monitored during a concurrent study.
Annual home range sizes of black-footed cats were 7.1 km² for the adult female, and 15.6 and 21.3 km² for the two adult males. Home ranges overlapped completely with the canid species, whereas core areas overlapped the most with jackals (79%), compared to Cape foxes (28%) and bateared foxes (21%). Within home ranges, black-footed cats selected habitats in proportion to availability, similar to Cape foxes, but in contrast to jackals and bat-eared foxes. Black-footed cats were primarily nocturnal, and their activity patterns significantly differed from jackals (P < 0.001), marginally differed from bat-eared foxes (P = 0.082), but did not differ from Cape foxes (P = 0.717). Dietary overlap of blackfooted cats was high with Cape foxes (R0 = 0.83), compared to jackals (R0 = 0.42) and bat-eared foxes (R0 = 0.12). Two black-footed cats were killed by predation, at least one of which appeared to be by jackals.
We conclude that black-footed cats coexisted with jackals by using burrows during the day, and by partitioning activity and diets, but not space. In contrast, black-footed cats appeared to coexist with Cape foxes by partitioning space, but not habitats, activity, or diets. Black-footed cats exhibited relatively low amounts of overlap with bat-eared foxes across resources. Our results show that black-footed cats partitioned resources differently among the sympatric canids, which ultimately facilitated coexistence with these larger carnivores.
Kamler, J.F.; Stenkewitz, U.; Sliwa, A.; Wilson, B.; Lamberski, N.; Herrick, J.R.; MacDonald, D.W.
Ecological relationships of black-footed cats (Felis nigripes) and sympatric canids in South Africa
2015 Mammalian Biology (80): 122-127
View more articles on Felis nigripes on ResearchGate.
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Black-footed Cat Conservation
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. The cat is also classified as Vulnerable on the South Africa Red List of 2025.
The Black-footed Cat Working Group has a long-term monitoring program in South Africa, assisted by funding from ISEC in Canada.
Please support this group with their important work if you can. No matter the size of your contribution, every bit helps!
Black-footed Cat Facts and Information
The following organizations have well researched and authoritative information on Black-footed Cats:
- IUCN Cat Specialist Group - Detailed Information
- IUCN Red List - Status and Distribution Map
- Wild Cats of Africa - Black-footed Cat
- ISEC Int. Soc. Endangered Cats - Species Overview
