Is the leopard cat a state-protected animal?

Leopard cats are second-class national protected animals and cannot be purchased and raised at will. The leopard cat has a round head with tan stripes from head to shoulder and a white stripe upward on the inner edge of each eye. There are light yellow spots on the back of the ear, and the body hair on the back of the body is light brown, covered with brown to light brown spots. The chest, abdomen and the inside of the limbs are white, with brown spots or semicircles on the back of the tail, and the tail is black or dark gray.

First, the protection level of leopard cats

1. Included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2012 Red list of Endangered species ver 3.1-LC.

two。 Listed in the Red Book of Endangered Animals in China: vulnerable.

3. Listed in the Washington Convention CITES Ⅱ for animal protection.

Second, the living habits of leopard cats

Leopard cats' nests are mostly in tree holes, soil holes, under stones or in stone crevices. Mainly for the ground, but strong climbing ability, sensitive and easy to move in the tree. Nocturnal, with more twilight activities. Live alone or in pairs. Good at swimming, like to move and look for food near the water, such as ponds, streams and ditches, rice fields and so on. It mainly feeds on rats, squirrels, flying squirrels, rabbits, frogs, lizards, snakes, small birds, insects, etc., as well as berries, banyan fruits and some tender leaves and grasses, sometimes sneaking into the village to steal poultry such as chickens and ducks.

Third, the breeding mode of leopard cats

The breeding of leopard cats in the north has a certain seasonality, generally breeding in spring and summer, and mating in spring. The pregnant period of female animals is 63-70 days, and they give birth from March to May the following year, giving birth to 2-4 cubs per birth, and most of them are 2 cubs. In southern leopard cats, the breeding seasonality seems not obvious, and cubs can be found from January to June. Reached sexual maturity at the age of 18 months. The life span is 13 years.

At present, the number of leopard cats is relatively rare, is a state-protected animal, can not be raised at will. If you find a leopard cat, you must call the police and protect it.