Mysore/Mysuru: A rare rusty-spotted cat has been sighted inside the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Reputed to be the smallest wild cat at about half the size of its domestic cousin, the rusty-spotted species shares its habitat with tigers and leopards inside the Reserve.
The photo was clicked by Abdul Shez. While the tiger is closely monitored, little is known about the status of the rusty spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus). The species has been recorded in India and Sri Lanka but it has been sighted in Nepal also in recent times. Many wildlife experts describe it as the smallest cat species in the wild, though some say the African black-footed cat qualifies for that status.
