Asian Golden Cat: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Hunters · day 2 of 7

Five facts

1. Asian golden cats can weigh up to 16 kg, about two or three times a domestic cat.
2. Golden cats can bring down prey larger than themselves, such as water-buffalo calves.
3. Asian golden cats come in many coats: golden, cinnamon, brown, spotted, gray or melanistic.
4. Two radio-collared golden cats moved between just 55 m and over 9 km in a single day.
5. A huge volcanic eruption about 74,000 years ago probably left golden cats with very little genetic variety.

The quiz

1. How much can an Asian golden cat weigh?

• Up to 6 kg
• Up to 60 kg
• Up to 16 kg (correct)
• Up to 1 kg

They can weigh up to 16 kg.

2. Which large prey can golden cats bring down?

• Water-buffalo calves (correct)
• Adult elephants
• Full-grown rhinos
• Giraffes

They can bring down water-buffalo calves.

3. Which of these is a golden cat coat colour?

• Bright blue
• Pure white
• Striped orange
• Cinnamon (correct)

Their coats range from golden and cinnamon to melanistic.

4. How far did the collared cats move in one day at most?

• Over 90 km
• Over 9 km (correct)
• Only 55 m
• Over 900 m

They moved between just 55 m and over 9 km in a day.

5. What event left golden cats with low genetic variety?

• An ice age
• A flood
• A volcanic eruption (correct)
• A disease

A huge volcanic eruption about 74,000 years ago is the likely cause.

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