Iriomote Cat Prionailurus iriomotensis

The Iriomote cat is only to be found on the small Japanese island of Iriomotejima and provides one of the most controversial debates in the speciation of the felidae family. The Iriomote cat is considered either, a rare sub-species of the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis iriomtensis) - a close relative of the leopard cat, belonging to the same genus but listed as a separate species as Prionailurus iriomtensis or as the sole member of a separate genus as Mayailurus iriomtensis. The debate continues - however if the iriomote cat is eventually not classified as a sub-species of the leopard cat it must then be considered as one of the rarest and most endangered species of wild cat.

The cat is brown in base fur colour marked with rows of dark brown spots which often form into stripes around the neck and legs. The body size rarely reaches 2 feet and the tail and legs are short compared to body size. Little is know of the lifestyle of the cat, although it is thought to be mainly terrestrial and to hunt by night . Recent studies into the diet of the cat have revealed that its prey ranges from mammals such as fruit bats, wild pig and rats - varied species of birds to reptiles, fish and insects.

The iriomote cat mainly inhabits the lowland coastal regions of the island which bring it into direct conflict with the islands human population. Recent estimates of the total number of iriomote cat have put the figure as low as 100 - any small, restricted population must be considered at risk and this coupled with the increased loss of habitat and growing competition from the islands feral cat population, can only serve to highlight the need for further research and increased conservation efforts. The cat is listed by the IUCN as Endangered.