5 Interesting Facts About the Chinese Mountain Cat: Their Hunting Methods Are Not at All Like a Typical Cat’s

According to the Red List, the Chinese mountain cat is classified as endangered, with fewer than 10,000 individuals estimated to remain in the wild. As its name suggests, this cat appreciates high-altitude air, inhabiting alpine steppes and meadows at elevations of up to 5,000 meters. Until 2007, scientists could only study the behavior and characteristics of the species based on just six individuals living in zoos. Currently, no Chinese mountain cats are held in captivity.

The tail of the Chinese mountain cat is like that of a raccoon, and it has black tufts on its ears similar to the caracal, yet its unique appearance makes it nearly incomparable to any other wildcat. Maybe you can think of one; which do you guess it resembles?

1.) We Know Almost Nothing About The Chinese Mountain Cat

This statement is true for many wild cats, but it applies even more to the Chinese mountain cat. As mentioned earlier, until 2007, researchers could only draw conclusions about the species based on the behavior and physical characteristics of a handful of individuals in zoos. They also try to gather as much information as possible from local people.

The first photo of a Chinese mountain cat in the wild was taken in 2007. At this point, we began to panic a little about what else the article would cover. Let’s hope for the best!

2.) They Often Become Victims of Poisoning

Authorities use poison to control pikas, considered pests and a frequent prey of the Chinese mountain cat. Unfortunately, the cats eat the poisoned pikas, leading to their death.

If this weren’t enough, the population also dwindles due to hunting for their fur. Fortunately, they are protected by the CITES agreement and Chinese laws such as forestry and animal protection regulations. Despite these protections, hats, gloves, and smaller accessories made from their fur are still popular on the black market and in places where souvenirs are sold to tourists.

In 2018, scientists studying black-necked cranes accidentally recorded a female Chinese mountain cat with two kittens at the entrance to their den:

3.) Their Uniqueness Lies in Their Fur

Their tails have 5–6 dark bands, with the tip always black, like raccoons. There is a shorter, dark tuft at the end of their ears, similar to caracals or lynxes. They have fur growing between their paw pads, another characteristic of caracals. During summer, their fur is darker brown, and locals sometimes call them “grass cats” because their coat resembles the color of dry grass growing on the steppes. Their eyes are light blue, shining with an incredibly clear hue.

4.) Females Seek Greater Security

Chinese mountain cats live in burrows dug into the ground. Observations suggest that females dig deeper than males. The burrow has a single entrance and is usually dug between rocks, but they may also move into abandoned burrows of marmots or badgers.

5.) They Hunt Using an Unusual Technique

This method is not typical for cats, but Chinese mountain cats hunt their prey from underground. With their incredibly sharp hearing, they listen for the prey’s movements in their burrows and then dig them out. However, they also sometimes use the usual method—approaching the prey as closely as possible and then pouncing—if the situation calls for it.

(The cover photo is for illustration only and shows raccoons.)