Want to know where and when to find Black-footed Cat? opspoor shows recent sightings across South Africa's parks and when each species is usually active.
Where to see Black-footed Cat in South Africa
About the Black-footed Cat
The smallest wild cat in Africa, with tawny fur covered in bold black spots and stripes that give excellent camouflage on moonlit nights. Endemic to the arid Karoo and southwestern Kalahari, it rests by day in termite mounds or borrowed springhare and aardvark burrows and hunts alone after dark. Despite its tiny size it is a fierce and highly effective predator, earning the Afrikaans nickname "miershooptier" (anthill tiger).
How to identify the Black-footed Cat
Tiny build with a short, thick tail about half the body length; bold round black spots merge into bands on the legs and neck, with black streaks running from the eyes across the cheeks and black soles on the feet
Did you know?
Despite weighing under 2.5 kg it is an extremely efficient hunter, killing up to 14 small animals a night and rarely failing more than once in ten attempts.
Also known as: Miershooptier, Small-spotted Cat
Planning a safari? Pick a park above to see when and where to look for Black-footed Cat, and log your own sightings in opspoor, even with no signal.