The rare Iriomote Cat, makes its home on the island of Iriomotejima in Japan.

The Iriomote Cat's numbers in the wild approximate only 100 individuals, though populations have remained stable since the 1980s. Its small population makes it one of the rarest cats in existence. There are several reasons for their decline. Aside from habitat destruction caused by increasing human populations it also has to compete with other wild cats that live on the island, as well as poachers. Once described as one of the most "primitive" feline species in existence by Japanese naturalist Imaizumi, the Iriomote Cat is postulated to be the missing link and possible starting point for three other species of wild cat that now exist elsewhere in the world. It has been thought that this cat is closely related to the Leopard Cat.They have a vast and varied diet! Preferred meals include the Flying Fox, a vast number of beetles, and even seafood, given the Iriomote Cat's penchant for swimming. It is inextricably attracted to human settlements, possibly because of the food possibilities - but this is harming its population size. Iriomote males like to roam around and find new homes more often than females, who prefer to find one spot and stay there until the food runs out. Other threats to the Iriomote Cat's numbers are the tourist trade on the island it lives on, which are currently being developed due to a newfound interest in bringing tourists to the island. Several government-sponsored plans to develop the tourist trade on the island have resulted in much habitat destruction, and as roads are built, more and more of these magnificent cats are being found dead by the side of the asphalt monster. While its numbers may be limited for now, steps are being taken to save this cat from extinction. One can only hope that these efforts are successful.

The Iriomote Cat is an average sized wild cat, sporting a lengthened body. It has smaller legs than most, as well as a stout tail. Its weight hovers around 12 pounds, measuring only two feet long. The tail is about a third the size of its body. It has a rich, silky brown coat, complemented by jet-black ears, which are decorated with a scattering of small white spots. Brown spots and streaks of color run along its neck to its shoulders.

The Iriomote Cat, despite being heavily studied, is so rare that we know very little about it. More study needs to be done on this animal before we can truly appreciate its beauty, and it was not discovered until 1964. Other names for the Iriomote Cat include, chat d'Iriomote (French), Iriomote-Katze (German), Gato d'Iriomote (Spanish) and Yameneko (Japanese).

There is currently no special care information in our databases for this animal. To submit care information that is specific to this animal please click here.

There is currently no special breeding information in our databases for this animal. To submit breeding / propagation information that is specific to this animal please click here.