Black-Footed Cat

Black-Footed Cat
03-09-2011

July 21st, 2011.

03-09-2011

Great capture! I've been to the zoo several times and spent hours by this exhibit but I still have not seen the Black-footed Cat...

22-12-2011

I'm not sure that there is actually a black-footed cat in this exhibit anymore as I constantly have the same experience that you do mstickmanp. I think that snowleopard may have planted this one

Seriously though, the cat used to sleep in a little hammock outside and could be seen fairly reliably, but I have not seen it for the last few years.

23-12-2011

One of my favourite felids..

Is this an open air exhibit?

23-12-2011

It is an outdoor exhibit, but it is covered by mesh. Probably one of the best exhibits for this species. But the one time I went there since they had these, I saw the two cats briefly right at opening time and then they went indoors and never re-emerged. I managed to get a couple photos, but nothing outstanding.

The best place (in the U.S.) I have found to see and photograph this species is the San Antonio Zoo. Although they hide in their nighthouse a lot also, they seem to be active during the last hour. If you have a telephoto lens, you can blur out the fence and get some nice shots there. (I will be returning to San Antonio this February and look forward to getting more black-footed cat photos).