The Rusty-Spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus) is one of the world’s smallest wild cat species, with adults typically weighing under two kilograms. This miniature predator is native exclusively to the South Asian countries of India, Sri Lanka, and recently confirmed in Nepal. Due to its secretive, mostly nocturnal nature and small size, the Rusty-Spotted Cat remains elusive and one of the least-studied members of the cat family. Understanding its diet provides insight into how this tiny carnivore maintains its ecological niche across diverse habitats.
Primary Prey Items
The core of the Rusty-Spotted Cat’s diet consists of small vertebrates, primarily rodents and birds. Mice and shrews are reliable food sources, as the cat focuses on small, easily overpowered animals. This cat often exploits high rodent populations, especially near human agricultural areas. The diet is supplemented by secondary prey, including small reptiles, amphibians, and insects. While primarily hunting wild creatures, the Rusty-Spotted Cat occasionally takes domestic fowl, which can unfortunately lead to conflict with local human populations.
Foraging Behavior and Hunting Strategy
The Rusty-Spotted Cat is predominantly a nocturnal hunter, with most activity occurring between sunset and sunrise. During the day, it typically rests concealed in dense cover, hollow logs, or sheltered rocky areas. Although an accomplished climber, this cat is primarily a terrestrial hunter. Its technique relies on stealth, quick movements, and acute senses to locate small animals in the undergrowth. The cat waits in thickets or near boulders before making a rapid, darting movement to secure its meal. Hunting activity often increases following heavy rains, when rodents and amphibians become more active and easier to find.
Regional Dietary Variations
The Rusty-Spotted Cat’s diet varies depending on the specific habitat differences between its Indian and Sri Lankan populations. In the dry scrub forests and agricultural landscapes of India, the diet is heavily focused on small rodents. This specialization allows the species to persist in human-modified landscapes by capitalizing on abundant mouse and rat populations. The Sri Lankan subspecies (P. r. phillipsi) inhabits a broader range of environments, from humid forests to arid coastal belts. Observational records from Sri Lanka suggest a diet that includes mammals and birds, but highlights a higher consumption of amphibians and insects, such as winged termites after heavy rainfall.