What is your favourite small cat species ?

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

A cliched answer, maybe, but I do adore Pallas' Cats. Banham Zoo, where I work, had some kittens fairly recently. They just look so silly.

My parents call them "Benny-the-Balls", after the Top Cat character - they remind them of him.

Not a cliche answer at all, thank you for your comment @CrashMegaraptor !

I can totally see why you are fond of this species as they are both interesting, adorable and as you say quite silly / bizarre looking.

Have seen these at quite a few zoos and always like to watch them prowl around.

 

[Arizona Docent]

Where have you seen oncilla/tigrina? other than Parc des Felins of course.

Santa Ana Zoo
Tigrina (Leopardus guttulus) - ZooChat
oncilla or tigrina - ZooChat

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Santa Ana Zoo
Tigrina (Leopardus guttulus) - ZooChat
oncilla or tigrina - ZooChat

Ah, interesting you have only seen Southern Tigrina then, as although Parc des Felins *does* hold both species now, at the time you visited they held only Southern.

 

[Arizona Docent]

Ah, interesting you have only seen Southern Tigrina then, as although Parc des Felins *does* hold both species now, at the time you visited they held only Southern.

I hope they still have both when I return next September. (Assuming international travel is allowed by then, which I hope because I already bought the plane ticket).

The reason I thought they were different forms is because the one at Santa Ana had an orange tinted coat and the one at Parc Felins had a gray coat. I suppose of course there is variation within a single form/species.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

I hope they still have both when I return next September. (Assuming international travel is allowed by then, which I hope because I already bought the plane ticket).

Well, your other option is to visit Hamerton whilst back in Europe

 

[Arizona Docent]

Well, your other option is to visit Hamerton whilst back in Europe

Hamerton has been on my radar, but sadly the British Isles do not fit into this itinerary. It's good to know they have them though, thanks for the tip.

 

[Gavinj90]

Ocelot I think. The patterning/colouration is just gorgeous. I can't remember the last time I saw one anywhere, though. It was probably at Chester back in the '90s when they still had their old cat house. That was quite a crummy facility, and it's right that they got rid of it, but it had a decent collection.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Ocelot I think. The patterning/colouration is just gorgeous. I can't remember the last time I saw one anywhere, though. It was probably at Chester back in the '90s when they still had their old cat house. That was quite a crummy facility, and it's right that they got rid of it, but it had a decent collection.

Thanks for the comment @Gavinj90 !

I agree, ocelots are a stunning looking cat and they have a lot of character too.

 

[Arizona Docent]

A lot of people mention Pallas' cat, which is perhaps the most unique looking of the small cats. One of the features that sets them apart (which no one has mentioned) is that they have round pupils while most small cats have vertical pupils.

 

[CheeseChameleon1945]

A lot of people mention Pallas' cat, which is perhaps the most unique looking of the small cats. One of the features that sets them apart (which no one has mentioned) is that they have round pupils while most small cats have vertical pupils.

Yes, I have noticed this, and knew this prior to seeing one. Pallas's cats have never been my absolute favorite, I am not to crazy about the poofy face, however I do think the kittens alone are some of the cutest cats on earth.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

A lot of people mention Pallas' cat, which is perhaps the most unique looking of the small cats. One of the features that sets them apart (which no one has mentioned) is that they have round pupils while most small cats have vertical pupils.

That is amazing, and you know strangely enough despite having seen them in a number of zoos over the years I have actually never really noticed that about them. It is just a detail that went completely unnoticed and I wonder how many people tend to notice it.

I always think that the Pallas cat resemble the Persian breed of the domestic cat a little bit with the long fur and flat and broader faces.

 

[CheeseChameleon1945]

I always think that the Pallas cat resemble the Persian breed of the domestic cat a little bit with the long fur and flat and broader faces.

Same here.

 

[Batto]

I love Rusty-spotted Cats as they could be seen as little, grey and tiny but when you get closer you'll see the muscular and agile hunter with amazingly beautiful markings. And try to look in their eyes! I'm very sad that they are so underrated in zoos, as from I see and talk with zoopeople they don't tend to be very hard in keeping/breeding. As a tiny, sweet hunters they could be a true star if the design of enclosure and communication lead proper. I had to start working on campaign about them...

Glad to see that there is another fan of this lovely little cat.

I find domestic pets like dogs and cats too slavish and a bit annoying really.

Then you haven't met the "right" dog and cat for you yet.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Then you haven't met the "right" dog and cat for you yet.

I guess I'm just not a domestic animal kind of person but coming from you with all of the creatures you have under your care then there could well be a dog or cat out there for me, lol.