Description: Legs are very long and ears appear longer than they actually are due to long black tufts on each. The pupils contract to a circle. The soles of the feet are bare and the limbs are rather long. Coat: Reddish brown to yellow grey with a white underside and black tufted ears. The eyes are yellow brown and the nose black.
Size: Head and body length 55-75cm, tail length 22-23cm.
Weight: 16-23 kg.
Senses: Does not run a great deal but jumps very well, often catching birds as they take off. Their sight and hearing are very good, their sense of smell is moderate.
Habitat: Tolerates a wide range of habitats within its range. Prefers open country (savannas, plains, semi-deserts and sand-deserts) in lowlands, hills and mountains.
Range: Each cat holds a clearly defined hunting territory. Thesse are generally a few square km depending on the availability of food.
Distribution: Africa and Asia from Turkestan and NW India to Arabia.
Status:
Daily Rhythm: Mainly active at twilight but hunts during the night in very hot weather and by day in winter.
Voice: Mostly silent, growls and spits when angered and calls to partner with a loud bark.
Enemies:
Prey: Rodents, small mammals and birds (francolins, guinea fowl) and young deer and antelope. They also take some reptiles and new grass and fruit.
Food and Feeding: Prey is either stalked and pounced upon or run down, depending on the habitat type and prey ability. They often stalk birds that are feeding on the ground and pouce at them, leaping into the air and catching them as they take off. They will eat reptiles including posionous snakes, which are taken by surprize.
Grouping: Solitary.
Breeding: Courting males yowl like a domestic cat and attract females in season. In sub-tropical regions they usually breed in spring, in tropical regions they may breed at anytime.
Gestation: 69-70 days.
Litter Size: 1-4 young per litter.
Young Description: The kittens weigh about 300g at birth and at 12 days males weigh 560g, and females 500g. At two months males weigh 1300g and females 1200g. The kittens are born with closed eyes which open at 6-9 days.
Nest: The female selects a hidden den, which she lines with fur and feathers.
Young Care: The female cares for the young alone. The kittens first leave the den at 3 weeks and take their first solid food at 4 weeks. The female suckles them for up to 6 months. They leave the female and become independent at about 3/4-1 year of age.
Sexual Maturity: 2 years.
Longevity: The oldest animal recorded was 17 years old.

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