Some of the World's Most Beautiful and Rare Cats Are Also Endangered
Some of the rarest cats on Earth are also some of the most striking, and many of them are fighting to survive. From unusual pupils to unusual calls, these endangered wild cats stand out for more than just their looks.
Across Asia, Africa, and the Americas, habitat loss, hunting, and trapping have pushed several of these species closer to the edge. Their beauty may be what first grabs attention, but their shrinking numbers are what make the story matter.
Here are some of the world's most beautiful rare cats, and the ones that need the most help staying on the planet.
Considered one of the most expensive cats in the world, the Pallas cat lives in the Himalayan foothills and has one feature above all else that makes it unarguably unique: its pupils. Instead of having the typical cat-shaped pupils we are used to seeing, its pupils are circular, which enables it to have a wide variety of expressions that other cats cannot.
The Fishing Cat originates and is most commonly found in both South Asia and Southeast Asia.
So, what makes this frisky feline so special? It is twice the size of the average cat, but that's not its fun fact. Instead, it's the chuckling sound it makes! It's one of the coolest sounds a cat could ever make, and it's unique to them. They are also notorious for loving water, though that is a personality trait that seems to vary from cat to cat.
The Sand Cat is found in a few different areas: North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
It has thick fur that allows it not only to endure but also to flourish in the extreme temperatures of the places it inhabits. However, it is the sound it makes that separates it from the rest of the cat world. While the previous cat could chuckle, the Sand Cat makes high-pitched barking noises while looking for a mate. Interesting!
Known in a universe of good climbers (because cats are really, really good climbers), the Margay is one of the best. It is the only cat known to climb down trees headfirst!
The clever climber is found primarily in both Central America and South America.
The Caracal is a fascinating cat with a captivating history. It has been found in Africa, the Middle East, India, and Central Asia, but before the 20th century, it served a very specific purpose. It was tamed and used for hunting in Egypt! Don't be too shocked, though; these impressive cats can actually hunt birds by jumping a whopping 10 feet in the air!
And if you love unusual cat features, don’t miss these 14 unique cat breeds you don’t see every day.
The Jaguarundi is an impressive jungle cat. It usually lives in the dense jungles of South America and the southern parts of North America.
It is also considered to have a rather unusual appearance!
These beautiful Borneo cats are dangerously endangered. There are fewer than 2,500 of this species left in the wild today. Its name, however, is not very clever; it is simply named for where it can be found... in Borneo.
Sadly, when people become aware of their rarity in this world, they tend to trap them because they know both zoos and breeders would pay top dollar for them. Zoos are supposed to be safe refuges for animals that cannot live in the wild anymore, not places to trap and force animals into an existence they don't belong in. Surely, this behavior is contributing to their decline.
Native to the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Borneo, and Sumatra, these cats are endangered because the wetlands they inhabit are being devastated by humans. Today, there are fewer than 10 of these little guys living in captivity.
One of the things that makes these cats so interesting is that they make a noise similar to a domesticated cat's purr.
Another endangered cat from the Andes, the Andean Mountain Cat has fewer than 2,500 individuals left in the wild. Sadly, they are hunted for their fur. To make matters worse, not only are they hunted, but their natural habitat is also being devastated, significantly affecting the food sources for the Andean Mountain Cat.
The silver lining is that in every country where these cats currently live, there are serious laws to protect them! Hopefully, this is a good step in keeping them on our planet!
Based in Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Ecuador, the Pampas Cat is also endangered, yet again due to the relentless destruction of its natural habitat. When a wild animal's natural habitat is destroyed, it disrupts their food supply, and the issues quickly pile up.
One of the cooler known facts about these fascinating cats is that scientists believe that each of their three distinct coats (found in specific areas where they live) represents unique species of the breed!
These cats are surely a sight to behold! Check out these cats from underneath! It might sound strange, but we swear it's well worth it.
These rare cats are unforgettable, but their future is still hanging in the balance.
Seeing rare cats in the wild is wild too, check out the solitary wildcat found and filmed on Mount Everest.
Share this article:
