Cute but lethal! World’s most dangerous CAT arrives at Utah zoo: Black-footed feline looks similar to a house cat – but is a killing machine that scores prey in six out of ten hunts
- Utah's Hogle Zoo has introduced Gaia, an eight-month-old black-footed cat
- Black-footed cats are the world's deadliest and smallest African wildcat
A Salt Lake City-area zoo has welcomed its newest resident, a black-footed cat, the deadliest and smallest African wildcat in the world.
On December 28, Utah's Hogle Zoo introduced Gaia, an eight-month-old black-footed cat, to their Small Animal Building.
The zoo took Gaia in on breeding advice from the Black-Footed Cat Consortium, saying she is “small in size, but big in her feisty personality.”
'Her arrival marks an important step in the conservation of her species; with only 29 black-footed cats in the Consortium, successful breeding could contribute significantly to the program,” the zoo said.
Black-footed cats resemble tabby cats, but get their name from their black or dark brown soles or pads in their paws.
Utah's Hogle Zoo welcomed its newest resident Gaia (pictured), an eight-month-old black-footed cat
The Hogle Zoo (pictured) adopted Gaia on breeding advice from the Black-Footed Cat Consortium, saying she is 'small in size but big in her feisty personality'
They are native to the arid eastern parts of Namibia, central and southern Botswana and South Africa.
According to the SmithsonianTheir average height is between 20 and 15 centimeters and their average weight is between 2.4 and 4.2 kilos.
Although they are about 200 times smaller than the typical lion, research shows that the black-footed cat has a predation success rate of 60 percent, killing an average of 10 to 14 rodents or small birds per night.
Lions have a predation success rate of 20 to 25 percent.
Breeding is important for the survival of this species as they were listed as 'vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List in 2016.
This means their population is declining and they are at risk of becoming an endangered species.
Hogle Zoo said: 'It is a predominantly nocturnal animal and its status in the wild is often challenging due to its shyness and preference for nocturnal activities.'
This is why the zoo plans to place curtains or barriers around Gaia's space as she adjusts to her new home.
Research shows that the black-footed cat has a predation success rate of 60 percent, killing an average of 10 to 14 rodents or small birds each night
The Hogle Zoo is home to a male black-footed cat named Ryder, who they plan to introduce to Gaia in the future.
“Gaia's introduction to Ryder, the black-footed cat, is planned, but we will introduce these two feline friends when Gaia is an adult,” the zoo said.
In September, the zoo announced the death of the oldest recorded black-footed cat in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoo.
Hogle Zoo was home to the 18.5-year-old black-footed cat Sanura, who also holds the record for the oldest black-footed cat to have a successful litter at the age of 14.
“Sanura had four successful offspring, which made an important contribution to the vulnerable species,” the zoo said.