In focus off and on, the threat to wild animals from speeding vehicles on Kalhatty road near here has come to the fore once again with conservationist-cum-wildlife photographer M. Murali coming across a carcass of a rare cat on the road.
The cat that had been run over was identified as a Rusty-spotted cat. On learning that the feline, which was one of the smallest among the wild cats measuring about 40 to 45 cm and weighing about just one-and-a-half to two kg, generally moved in pairs, he made frequent trips to the spot and a few days ago succeeded in spotting the female.
Pointing out that they prefer dense vegetation and rocky areas, he said that they generally stay below the bushes to prey and hunt on ground level birds, lizards, frogs, and other insects.
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