animal like cat
Domestic cats are one of the most popular pets in the world, and for good reason. Domestic cats can be affectionate at times, but they are also often hogs, giving their owners alone time without the extra care and daily walks that dogs do. People are also attracted to cats because their flat faces, pointed ears, and almond-shaped eyes are generally considered pretty and attractive.
Other mammals that resemble cats but do not actually belong to the Felidae family are also found in a very limited number of human households. Alone, these animals appear to resemble cats thanks to convergent evolution (a process in which several independently evolved animals share similar physical traits), but when viewed side by side the differences are striking. is obvious.
1. Spotted Genette
Genet is an elongated carnivore native to Africa, but the common or small-spotted genet has expanded its range to parts of Europe due to human influence. [8]. They are not felines, but wivelis. Genets have large spotted genets (Jenetta Tigrina), Hausa Genette (Jenetta Thierry), and rust genet (Jenetta Maculata).They are primarily carnivorous, feeding on small prey such as mice, insects, and lizards, but they are also said to be omnivorous, feeding on plant material and fruit. [8][14].
These interesting animals resemble cats in their spots, tails and small feet (but with semi-retractable claws). [8]) but there is one obvious difference. It’s pointy face resembles a weasel.
Genettes have many similarities to domestic cats. They hunt small rodent prey opportunistically, are semi-nocturnal, are good climbers, but also hunt on the ground. Some owners who keep them as pets have reported purring and purring. However, compared to a normal domestic cat, Jennette is very capricious, not very friendly, and has a hard time returning home. Genette is therefore a pet for those who understand and accept it for what it is.Genet resembles another member of the Swallow family called Linxang [6]but these are rare and not kept as pets.
2. Binturong
Also known as bear cats, these large carnivores are notorious for smelling like popcorn when in captivity. Also a feline (not) feline) and Genet in the same family Viverridae and is the largest species among them. [11], they have a somewhat cat-like appearance, but also resemble hybrids between cats and sloth bears.These strange creatures are one of the few carnivores with prehensile tails [11]. Binturongs are primarily nocturnal, climbing, swimming, spending some time on the ground, and mostly solitary. [11].
These unique animals are expensive and not common to see in captivity, but the few individuals (mostly animal exhibitors) who have had these as pets say they were raised by them from an early age. , reported feeling calmer and more relaxed around people (about 4 weeks old) [12]Therefore, it is often used as an ambassador for animals.
3. Wawoneko
The ring-tailed cat, also known simply as the ring-tailed lemur, appears to be a hybrid between a cat and a ring-tailed lemur. Surprisingly similar to the aforementioned genets, they actually belong to the family Procyonidae and are more similar. A close relative of the raccoon. This impressive creature can be found in the southwestern United States, northern Mexico, and even parts of Oregon. [4]. They are nocturnal, but are sometimes active at dusk. Like genets, they are preferentially carnivorous, but tend to be omnivorous, feeding on small mammals, birds, reptiles, berries, and even carrion. [4].
They are now very rare in the pet trade, but they used to be available more often. Native wildlife laws, as in most states, would also make wildlife illegal in situ.
4. Civet
This fascinating animal is not very common in the pet trade today because it has very few captive breeding populations (it is currently very rare, if any, available in the United States), but the researchers said In fact, it has declared itself one of the more suitable exotic animals as a domestic pet. (Also with Sitka deer and wallabies) [7]. They are also famous as the “cats” responsible for Kopi Luwak, a costly coffee made from their droppings when certain coffee cherries are consumed. [10]. Civet cats have a flexible diet, eating small mammals, eggs, reptiles, insects and flowers, but they are mostly frugivorous and also prefer fruits, seeds and tree sap. [10].
Civets have been reported to enjoy the company of humans when socialized from an early age. [7]. Although they have cat-like characteristics, they also resemble other species mixtures, such as raccoons, and have similar ecological roles as raccoons. [10]. Unfortunately, it is also illegal to import them into the United States as pets because of their potential role in past SARS pandemics, which likely originated from the live food market. [13]. Like genettes and binturongs, they belong to the Viberaceae family.
5. Fossa
Little known until the release of the animated film Madagascar, this very strange mammal looks like a small, skinny cougar. Endemic to the island of Madagascar, the fossa is fairly rare in captivity and very rarely kept as pets, although imported animals were more often available in the past.
Fossa is very unique as it is the only carnivore that specializes in hunting primates. They are excellent climbers, but they also hunt on the ground. It was once endangered, but as of 2019, it is listed as an endangered species. However, little is known about the fossa, so keeping it in captivity with a specialized breeding program is beneficial to the species and to boosting the population as much as possible.release in the future [1][9].
6. Pine marten in America and Europe
As the name suggests, there are two types of martens found in North America and Europe. Both are small (about the size of a domestic cat), semi-arboreal, nocturnal carnivores that are primarily solitary. [2][3]. Martens belong to the mustelid family, the same as ferrets and weasels. They also sometimes eat fruits and carrion.
These species are hunted for their pelts and are rarely kept as pets, although American martens are sometimes kept in private households. While naturally expected to be aggressive, a well-socialized and hand-raised marten may also have a decent temperament. [5].
works cited
- Dickie, Leslie Alexandra. Behavior and reproductive physiology of captive fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox). diss. Queen Mary, University of London, 2005.
- Ellis, E. 1999. “Martes americana” (online), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed June 11, 2020 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Martes_americana/
- Fodor, Victoria. “Mating Behavior of Captive Pine Ten Martes Martes”. Wildwood Trust. August 2006.
- Goldberg, J. 2003, “Bassariscus astutus” (Online), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed June 11, 2020 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bassariscus_astutus/
- Jackson, Hartley Harrad Thompson. Mammals of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press, 1961.
- Kepner, B. 2003. “Prionodon pardicolor” (online), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed June 11, 2020 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Prionodon_pardicolor/
- Cohn, Paul, Rudy M. De Mole, Bert Ipema. “Behavioral ecology of captive species: Using bibliographic information to assess pet suitability of mammalian species.” Frontiers of veterinary medicine 3 (2016): 35.
- Lundrigan, B. and M. Conley, 2000. “Genettagenetta” (Online), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed June 11, 2020 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Genetta_genetta/
- Lundrigan, B. and T. Zachariah, 2000. “Cryptoprocta ferox” (online), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed May 14, 2020 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cryptoprocta_ferox/
- Nelson, J. 2013. “Paradoxurus hermaphroditus” (online), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed June 11, 2020 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Paradoxurus_hermaphroditus/
- Schleif, M. 2013. “Arctictis binturong” (online), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed June 11, 2020 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Arctictis_binturong/
- Stner, Mindy. “binturong info sheet“
- Wang, LF., Brian T. Eaton. “Bats, palm civets, and the outbreak of SARS” Wildlife and emerging zoonotic diseases: the biology, context and impact of interspecies transmission. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2007. 325-344.
- Wemmer, Christen M. “Comparative behavior of the large-spotted genet (Genetta tigrina) and several closely related bevelids.” Smithsonian Institution’s contribution to zoology (1977).
© 2020 Melissa Smith