The leopard cat, Prionailurus bengalensis, is a small wild cat native to South, Southeast, and East Asia. It is about the size of a domestic cat, but it usually has longer legs, a slimmer body, and a distinctly wild, alert look.
Its coat is tawny to grayish with dark spots and streaks, including bold stripes running from the eyes toward the ears. The ears are rounded and dark on the back with pale central spots, a pattern found in many wild cats.
Leopard cats live in many habitats, including tropical forest, deciduous forest, conifer forest, plantations, wetlands, and farmland edges where there is enough cover. They are mostly solitary and often hunt at night, though they can also be active during the day.
Their diet is made up mostly of small prey. Rats, mice, birds, lizards, amphibians, insects, eggs, and aquatic animals may all be taken, and the species is a skilled climber that can also swim when needed.
Although the leopard cat is widely distributed and currently listed as Least Concern, it still faces pressure from habitat loss, hunting, and conflict with people in some areas. Its presence is a reminder that even small wild cats need connected habitat and quiet cover.