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TsushimaLeopardCat

What is a Tsushima Leopard Cat?

History & Identification of the Tsushima Leopard Cat

Close-up of Tsushima leopard cat in the forest

Tsushima was separated from the Korea peninsula 100,000 years ago, and the Tsushima Leopard Cat came arrived then.
They are listed as “Critically Endangered” in The MOE Red List.

Living only Tsushima, Japan, they are as endangered as the Iriomote Leopard Cats.

Tsushima leopard cat photographed on the road. The entire body is photographed, and the stripes on the forehead and the spots on the body can be seen.
  • Whole body has brown, fuzzy spots; face has bold stripes; white spots behind ears; tail is long and furred.
  • Weight :3~5kg
  • Body length: 50~60cm, as same as domestic cats.
  • Tend to be nocturnal.
  • Primarily eat rodents. Besides, eat birds, frogs, insects and so on.
  • Adults come together only at breeding time.
  • Have between 1 and 3 kittens per litter.
  • Body spots
  • Vertical stripes on the forehead
  • Tiger-like ear markings
  • Short tail

Environmental issues:

Rice paddies are one of the most comfortable environments for bobcats. Photo of a bobcat walking along the banks of a rice paddy.

Tsushima Leopard Cat’s optimal habitat requires various environments like a broad-leaved forest, waterside, foliage, rice fields, and so on.
The Leopard Cat’s population decline has been caused by・・・

  • Inappropriate management of artificial forests
  • Loss of prey ( Due to the overpopulation of deer and boar damaging the health of vegetation)
  • Disturbance by construction works or roadkills
  • Accidental capture in dear and boar traps
  • Attacks from stray dogs
  • Contraction of disease from domestic cats
Photo of a road sign warning people to beware of Tsushima leopard cat jumping out. They have been installed everywhere in Tsushima as a conservation measure.

It was designated as a Natural Monument by the Japanese government in 1971, also as an endangered species of wild flora and fauna of Japan in 1994.
Now, we recognize its population slowly declining from recent investigations.

Although, its habitat has not improved, we have to work to avoid extinction.

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