The range of the Marbled Cat extends from Northeast India, with subspecies in Nepal, and through Southeast Asia including Borneo and Sumatra, linked to the mainland of Asia. It is similar in size to the domestic cat, with a longer, more thickly furred tail. Its fur pattern is blotched and banded like a marble and usually compared to the markings of the much larger Clouded Leopard. In colour, the base fur ranges from pale yellow to brownish grey with lighter under parts being a lighter variation. The weight is about 4,5 kg (10lbs).
Closest relatives of the Marbled cat are the Asian Golden Cat and the Bay cat, members of the genus Catopuma.
The forest provide the Marbled Cat with much of its prey: birds, squirrels, other rodents and reptiles. It is rarely sighted in its densely forested habitat and so little studied or understood. It’s population is estimated under 10.000 mature individuals. Due to its forested habitats that have been shrinking, the Marbled Cat is listed as vulnerable in IUCN.
The only captive Marbled Cats registered by ISIS are a pair kept at a breeding center in the United Arab Emirates and a male kept in the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand.
