Pygmy tribes carry golden cat tails with them on hunts as a lucky token and their skin is used in circumcision rituals. This pattern extends along the neck to the top of the head. IDENTIFICATION. African golden cat - Felis aurata Of all predators, cats are probably the most efficient killers. African golden cat CARACAL AURATA Inhabiting the rain forests of West and Central Africa, this species is threatened by forest loss and bush-meat hunters. African Golden Cat. African golden cats are closely related to servals and caracals, but are the sole member of the Profelis genus. African Golden Cat. The African golden cat can be found in tropical forests, from Senegal to Kenya, and the Central African Republic to Angola. Unique among the cat species, the fur has a distinctive ridge along the shoulders where it changes direction to lie forward. One is Caracal aurata and the other, which is less common today, is Profelis aurata. Interesting Facts About the Golden Cat. Top four largest living species of wild big cats that are able to roar includes Tigers, lions, jaguars and leopards Caracal,Eurasian lynx,Serval,golden cat and other species of wild cats also includesIberian lynx,Bobcat, Black Panther,White Tiger,Indian Bengal Tiger and Indian lion. African Predators Lion, Kruger National Park, South Africa. To better understand these predators, researchers in Gabon and Uganda have been setting camera traps. African Golden Cat - Profelis aurata The African golden cat (Profelis aurata) is a medium-sized wild cat distributed over the rainforests of West and Central Africa.It is about 80 centimetres (31 in) long, and has a tail of about 30 centimetres (12 in) in length. Although these cautious predators are notoriously difficult to tame, a small number have been found among the cat mummies of Ancient Egypt. Despite their small size, they are surprisingly ferocious. The big cat species are world’s apex predators, differences in size and color. They are often golden or orange red but may be red brown, grey, or black. African Golden Cat (Caracal aurata) The African golden cat is an elusive animal that’s a close relative of the caracal and the serval. Like the Asian species, it's known by two scientific names. A caracal’s speed and ability to leap into the air make it an excellent hunter. It has a strong build, long legs and tufted ears. Lion, Ngorongoro National Park, ... Tanzania: Mature male lions are unique among the cat species for the thick mane of brown or black hair encircling the head and neck. Photo by: Laila Bahaa-el-din/Panthera. The Caracal aurata is a wild cat that is found only in Central and West Africa. BODY The African Golden Cat has a stocky build with muscular legs and large paws. The African Golden Cat has a stocky build with a short tail and the coat varies from reddish to grey. A caracal’s black, tufted ears give it a look different from most cats in the wild. Cats For Africa is about the seven small wild cats of Africa. Although these cautious predators are notoriously difficult to tame, a small number have been found among the cat mummies of Ancient Egypt. Imagine a stocky caracal, but without the pointy, tufted ears. The golden cat is found at elevations of up to 3,000 m from sea level.

Caracals can be found in many places including Africa, the Middle East and India.The serval and the African golden cat are its closest family members. African golden cat in Precious Woods Gabon logging concession. The animals have a variety of colors. These felines are robust little predators. The African golden cat has a similar build as the caracal's, but is darker and lacks the ear tufts. They also serve as prey for the leopard, their natural predator. Coloring, size and fur patterning vary within the family, but all species from the smallest to the largest are basically similar in appearance and proportions to the domestic cat and the ideal predatory body design. African golden cats can be found primarily in rainforests.
The small wild cats in Africa are the caracal, African golden cat, serval, black-footed cat, jungle cat, African wildcat and sand cat. The cat inhabits rainforests, high moorlands, bamboo forests, and cloud forests in its range. Elusive Cats – The African species is incredibly elusive and difficult to study.

The cat inhabits rainforests, high moorlands, bamboo forests, and cloud forests in its range.


It is closely related to the serval and the caracal, and is approximately two times the size of a domestic cat. Africa is known as the continent of big cats: cheetahs, leopards, and of … The reclusive African golden cat is endemic to the tropical forests of West and Central Africa, from the Central African Republic in the north to northern Angola in the south. BEHAVIOR.

Hunting for the golden cat is banned across 12 of its range countries, with Cameroon being an exception. Of the African cats, the one you’re least likely to have heard of is the African golden cat.