Some of the World's Most Beautiful and Rare Cats Are Also Endangered
As the world continues to change, humankind has relentlessly endangered animals and led many others to extinction as well.
It's a sad thought, but it emphasizes how important awareness and education are. Today, we look at some of the world's most beautiful and rare cats, and hopefully, by appreciating the awe we feel in their beauty alone, we can all strive together to remove them from the endangered list and ensure they do not become extinct. Instead, we hope they will flourish and grow so that future generations can appreciate and marvel at their relentless beauty.
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. As noted by Dr. Daniel Goleman, an emotional intelligence expert, "The ability to express a range of emotions is crucial for social interaction, and the Pallas cat's unique pupils enhance its communicative abilities."
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!
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.
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