Felis is a genus of small and medium-sized cat species native to most of Africa and south of 60° latitude in Europe and Asia to Indochina. The genus includes the domestic cat. The smallest of the seven Felis species is the black-footed cat with a head and body length from 38 to 42 cm. The largest is the jungle cat with a head and body length from 62 to 76 cm.
Image: Jammlich crop
Image: European Wildcat Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald 03
Image: European Wildcat distribution
Image: Jungle Cat Felis chaus by Dr. Raju Kasambe DSCN7957 (3)
The black-footed cat, also called the small-spotted cat, is the smallest wild cat in Africa, having a head-and-body length of 35–52 cm (14–20 in). Despite its name, only the soles of its feet are black or dark brown. With its bold small spots and stripes on the tawny fur, it is well camouflaged, especially on moonlit nights. It bears black streaks running from the corners of the eyes along the cheeks, and its banded tail has a black tip.
Black-footed cat
A black-footed cat at the Cincinnati Zoo
Its body is covered with dark spots and stripes.
Adult black-footed cat resting