Abstract
Of the 36 species of wild felids, 29 of them are small cats — lions, tigers and leopards are the exceptions. This book introduces the reader to the amazing world of small wild cats and answers many of the questions that make these cats and their biology interesting. It demonstrates the differences between these individual species and how they are not smaller versions of their larger cousins. Origins and evolution, classification and lineage, biology and behavior, form and function, reproduction and development, and human contact and conservation status are all explained, along with beautiful photos of some of the rarest cats in the world.
The chapters are broken down into categories; then, multiple questions are presented and answered within each category, making it very easy to follow and user friendly. The first four chapters help define small cats. The first chapter introduces them and answers basic questions, such as ‘What are small cats?’ ‘Where do they live?’ ‘What characteristics do they have?’ and ‘What is the oldest small cat fossil?’ The second chapter deals with form and function. It answers questions regarding their physical abilities, skills and sensory attributes. The third chapter deals with colors of small cats and what determines the colors, patterns and geographical variations. Chapter 4 describes small cat behavior, both as individuals and as a species.
Chapters 5–7 are the most individualized. The fifth chapter is about ecology. Questions are directed around survival and geographical locations. Chapter 6 covers reproduction and development. Gestation periods, litter sizes, nursing and aging are all addressed. What small cats eat, how they hunt and associated behaviors are all discussed in the Chapter 7, which is about foods and feeding.
The last five chapters are all centered on small cats and humans. Chapter 8 looks at observing and interacting with small cats in the wild and on their suitability as pets. Chapters 9 and 10 are reflections of each other: chapter 9 discusses the problems that small cats face from a human viewpoint — being seen as pests, disease vectors and predators — while chapter 10 looks at human problems from the cat’s viewpoint — being hunted and endangered, and other threats.
The final chapters are the most entertaining for all cat lovers. Chapter 11 looks at small cats in stories and literature, including many wonderful feline quotes. In Chapter 12, scientists explain how they recognize individual small cats. The book concludes with a single page appendix listing each species of small cat by lineage in a very easy-to-read table format.
This book is an easy-to-read guide on small wild cats around the world. It provides basic, yet detailed, information on species by a field biologist who has had the privilege of seeing many of these cats and studying them first hand — an experience few people have had. Much of the information in this book is paralleled with our domestic cat and can be used to understand and appreciate it all the more.