Cats of Africa
Black-footed Cat
Felis nigripes
The number of black-footed cats is unknown and their population is decreasing, but they're listed as "Vulnerable" on conservation status (the 3rd lowest an animal can get).
The black-footed cat may be found in the deserts and savannahs of southern Africa, mostly Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa.
They prey on rodents and small birds with the males going for the bigger prey. Black-footed Cats spend about 70% of the night hunting. They move about 5 miles per night.
After a 63 – 68 day gestation, one to four kittens are born at the bottom of a burrow. The female have 2 litters per year.
Kittens weigh about 2 to 3 ounces at birth. They start walking at about two weeks of age. When they are about a month old they start eating solid food and are weaned at about two months of age.They are independent when they are four or five months old. They may remain in their mother’s territory for a while after becoming independent.
The underside of the paw and the paw pads are black. That is where their name comes from.
