Chinese Mountain Cat
Felis bieti
Very little is know of this little studied medium sized cat. The chinese desert cat has been reported in areas of Mongolia, Tibet and parts of western China in habitats which range from rocky steppes to mountain forests up to around 10,000 feet.
In size the chinese desert cat can grow up to 3 feet in length and sports a tail of just over 12 in. The base fur colour of the animal is yellowish grey and has pale markings of stripes on its legs and a ringed tail. The head of the chinese desert cat is somewhat broad and sports short darkened tufts on its ears. The feet of the cat are covered in long hair but this is not as pronounced as in the Sand Cat or Black-footed Cat.
Almost nothing is known of the hunting habits of this wild cat, however it can be presumed to follow that of its close relations in the genus felis with prey consisting of mainly rodents, small mammals, birds and reptiles.