WHAT IS THE WORLD’S SMALLEST CAT? GET TO KNOW THE TINIEST CAT BREED
Source: USA Today (Extract)
Posted: September 7, 2024
From the majestic big cats prowling the wild to the playful kittens curling up in your living room, felines come in all shapes and sizes.
Big cats like tigers and lions, often referred to as “big cats,” can weigh between 198 and 584 pounds. The heaviest tiger on record, according to an unofficial Guinness World Records report, weighed about 846 pounds, while the largest lion recorded weighed approximately 595 pounds, as noted by Discovery.
But what about the tiniest end of the spectrum? Here’s a look at the smallest cats in the world and what makes them so unique.
What is the smallest cat in the world?
The rusty-spotted cat is one of the smallest in the cat family, according to the International Society for Endangered Cats Canada. It is the smallest wild cat in the world.
This feline ranges from around 13 to 19 inches in length and 2 to 3.5 pounds in weight. Measuring between 5.9 to 11 inches, the rusty-spotted cat’s tail makes up about half of its size.
Rusty-spotted cats are smaller than domestic cats. They have short round heads, short-rounded ears and two white streaks by the inner sides of their eyes. They are brown-gray and have various dark streaks and marks over their bodies.
This species is found only in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, according to the Felidae Conservation Fund. Rusty-spotted cats live in moist and dry deciduous forests but can also be found in grasslands, hill slopes, shrublands and other habitats.
What is the smallest cat breed?
The wild cat’s domesticated cousin, the Singapura, is the smallest cat breed, according to Purina. Its name means “Singapore” in Malay, which is fitting as the cat originates from the country.
Singapuras are small and muscular. Adult females weigh between 4 and 5 pounds, while males weigh about 6 to 8 pounds, according to the Cat Fanciers’ Association.
They are light beige and have large eyes and ears. Singapuras are a social, playful and curious breed and are often described as “impish,” Purina reports.