# black-footed cat (*Felis nigripes*) The black-footed cat is a small, cute cat that loves to hunt at night. They have soft fur with spots and are known for their big eyes and tiny feet, which help them sneak around quietly. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![black-footed cat](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Zoo_Wuppertal_Schwarzfusskatze.jpg&width=800) Photo: Patrick Ch. Apfeld , derivative editing by Poke2001, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zoo_Wuppertal_Schwarzfusskatze.jpg) ## Appearance The black-footed cat is a small, stocky wild cat with sandy to reddish-brown fur covered in distinct black spots and stripes. Its legs, neck, and tail have bold black rings, and it has uniquely dark-soled paws. Large eyes and small, rounded ears complete its look. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Felidae - **Genus:** Felis ## Interesting facts - Black-footed cats are nocturnal, doing all their hunting after dark. - Their hunting success rate is an amazing 60%, one of the highest in the cat world! - These tiny cats are incredibly fierce, earning the nickname 'ant-tiger'! - They don't need to drink water; they get all they need from their prey! ## Special abilities - **Night Vision Ninja:** The black-footed cat has huge eyes that give it excellent night vision, which helps them spot tiny prey in the dark. - **Stealth Stalker:** The black-footed cat can creep silently on its black-padded feet because they are adapted for quiet movement, helping them sneak up on prey. - **Burrow Dweller:** The black-footed cat can use abandoned burrows for shelter because it is too small to dig its own effectively, helping them stay safe from predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 35-52 cm - **Weight:** 1-2.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-6 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-4 - **Gestation:** 59-68 days ## Diet & Feeding A skilled hunter of small creatures, the black-footed cat mostly eats rodents and small birds. - **Primary Foods:** gerbils, mice, small birds, insects, reptiles - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Cape Gerbil (*Tatera afra*) — A common prey item in its habitat. - **Hunts:** Cape Spurfowl (*Pternistis capensis*) — Hunts small ground-dwelling birds. - **Eaten by:** Black-backed Jackal (*Canis mesomelas*) — A larger predator that preys on black-footed cats. - **Depends on:** [Aardvark](https://www.snappit.app/explore/aardvark) (*Orycteropus afer*) — Uses abandoned burrows dug by aardvarks for shelter. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate These cats are wild animals and should be admired from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify black-footed cat? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is black-footed cat? 35-52 cm ### How much does black-footed cat weigh? 1-2.5 kg ### How long does black-footed cat live? 5-6 years ### How fast can black-footed cat move? 40 km/h ### What does black-footed cat eat? A skilled hunter of small creatures, the black-footed cat mostly eats rodents and small birds. ### Where is black-footed cat usually found? Grasslands ### How does black-footed cat hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [John Ball Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/john-ball-zoo) — Michigan, US · Zoo - [Prospect Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/prospect-park-zoo) — New York, US · Zoo ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Black-footed Cat: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-footed-cat)