African-Golden Cat

Known as the "leopard's little brother" because it inhabits the same kind of country and is said to be extreamely vicious when cornered.
Rarely seen, is sometimes considered to resemble the ancester of modern cats, at a time when they moved from sheltered habitats into those that were more open. Many are found in those open habitats today.
Has a relatively small destribution found in central Africa from Senegal eastword to the forested regions of Kenya and northern Angola. It is primarily a forest-dweller, although it will be on the fringes of some savannas. The wooded country it inhabits extends to altitudes of 12,000 feet and generally comprises high rain forest or moist woodland. Although it can climb and will often rest on low branches, it mainly hunts on the ground. It's closest relative, the Asian goldencat, inhabits similar country; tropical rain forest and deciduous forest, in southest Asia.

Color= variation in coat color ranging from red to gold to silver to grey and markings seems to have less to do with it's environment, for those with entirely different coloration may be found in the same area. However, those with spotted markings both clear and indistinct - appear to occur only in West Africa. Melanistic is found in this species.
Prey= Hunts by night and twilight from the ground. Will slink around villages and settlements to raid poultry houses and to prey on other domestic animals. Although it has been known to catch and kill small antelopes, it's diet consists mainly of birds, rodents, deer and tree hyraxes.