A leopard cat has been spotted in Maharashtra’s Pench Tiger Reserve for the first time. The leopard cat is, scientifically known as Prionailurus bengalensis and a member of the Felidae family, is known for its leopard-like colouration.
- Leopard cat is the most widespread species after the jungle cat in India due to its “adaptive flexibility”, and is restricted to North East India, northern Himalayan states, West Bengal, Odisha, and pockets of Western Ghats.
- It was believed to be absent in central India.
- The Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra which gets its name from the Pench river is spread over 740 sq km.
- The flora is predominantly dominated by teak trees. India is home to 15 species of wild cats, or felids, which account for more than 40 per cent of global felid diversity.
- The leopard cat is the second most widespread species in India after the jungle cat.
