20.10.2023 - Taryn van Jaarsveld - Africa Gegraphic
Photo Andreas Jonsson
What is the deadliest cat in Africa? The answer may surprise you. (Unless, of course, you’ve seen the videos of these cats surfacing in recent years).
Lions, mightily ferocious, have a hunting success rate of 19-25%. Leopards ki]ll their targets 38% of the time. One of the most lethal predators in Africa, cheetahs, who snap up their prey on 58% of their hunts, could almost be named the greatest hunting cat. But the crown for deadliest feline in Africa goes to its tiniest: the black-footed cat. Weighing in at around 2kg, these cats have a hunting success rate of 60%. Though they may resemble domestic tabby cats, and their bright eyes and bushy tails make them incredibly endearing, these little killers capture more prey in a single night than a leopard does in six months.
Despite its status as one of Africa’s deadliest animals, these fatal felines are extremely rare and under-researched. Little data is available on black-footed cats, making conservation of the species very difficult. They are so tiny that they cannot even trigger regular camera traps. Thankfully, a small group of scientists is putting this “anthill tiger” on the map, having established a database on the cats and advocating for their protection. You can learn more about these kitty killer machines
here.
Happy celebrating Africa to you!