Full Grown Black Footed Cat: Size, Lifespan, Price & More

The diminutive black-footed cat is the smallest wild cat species in Africa. Yet despite their tiny size, these feisty felines pack a mighty personality. Here's a closer look at what a fully grown black-footed cat is like.

Size at Full Growth

Black-footed cats reach full maturity at around 18 months old. Fully grown, they typically measure between 28–34 cm (11–13 in) in head-and-body length with a 15–25 cm (5.9–9.8 in) long tail. Their shoulder height is around 15–18 cm (5.9–7.1 in). So in total length including tail, a full size black-footed cat is 43–59 cm (17–23 in) long.

Despite their larger cousins like caracals and servals, black-footed cats are truly pocket-sized. On average, their weight at full growth is just 900–1800 g (2.0–4.0 lb), making them about the size of a domestic house cat.

Appearance at Full Growth

In terms of appearance, a fully matured black-footed cat has the following traits:

• Coat is thick and soft with camouflage coloring - tawny to ginger above and white below.
• Face, legs and underside are white.
• Ears are black with prominent black tufts.
• Tail is ringed with black and has a black tip.
• Paws are small and black, giving the species its name.

One of their most notable characteristics are their enormous eyes, which help with nocturnal hunting. Eyes of a fully grown cat appear golden yellow to illuminate prey in the dark.

Personality at Full Growth

Though small, black-footed cats have feisty personalities befitting their tough lifestyle in the wild. At full maturation, their temperament is as follows:

• Extremely territorial and will fiercely defend their range.
• Solitary hunters who avoid other individuals except to breed.
• Exhibit curious and playful behaviors when not hunting or caring for kittens.
• Vocalize frequently with yowls and meows to communicate location.
• Can be tentative around unfamiliar people or situations as adults.

While tolerant of human interaction, black-footed cats are not domesticated and prefer environments mimicking their natural habitats when in captivity.

Food/Feeding at Full Growth

A fully grown black-footed cat's natural diet in the wild consists primarily of small mammals like rodents, shrews, bats and springhares. In captivity, an appropriate feeding plan for an adult includes:

• A commercially available high-protein carnivore diet in correct portion sizes.
• Feeding twice daily to mimic natural hunting patterns.
• Fresh water available at all times.
• Diet should consist of at least 70% meat content to meet nutritional needs.

Following a species-appropriate diet is essential to the health and longevity of a fully mature black-footed cat.

Health at Full Growth

Provided a black-footed cat receives proper care from a young age, at full maturity their state of health should include:

• Coat is smooth and lustrous without signs of parasites.
• Eyes are bright and clear without discharge.
• Ears are clean with no evidence of infection.
• Body condition appears lean and muscular.
• No dental issues causing gum irritation or bad breath.
• Feet and claws are clean and trim without overgrowth.

Regular vet care including yearly exams helps monitor and maintain the lifelong wellness of a fully grown black-footed cat.

Care Needs at Full Growth

Some of the key care requirements for a black-footed cat that has reached full maturity include:

• Enclosure of at least 10x10 feet with opportunities to dig/scratch.
• Hiding places like hollow logs or dense shrubbery.
• Specialized diet as described above.
• Fresh, clean water available at all times.
• Regular handling to maintain human socialization.
• Activity/play time outside enclosure when possible.
• Yearly veterinary exams and required vaccines.
• Parasite prevention like monthly flea & tick treatments.

Meeting their physical, social and nutritional needs keeps a fully grown black-footed cat healthy and content in captivity.

Lifespan

With excellent care, the average lifespan of a black-footed cat in captivity once reaching full maturity is 12-15 years. In the wild, their much harsher lifestyle and pressures from predators or starvation can reduce average longevity to only 2-3 years.

Possible Behavioral Changes

A few behavioral differences may emerge between a juvenile black-footed cat and one that has reached full adult maturity:

• Hunting/stalking behaviors become more polished and effective.
• Greater tendency to mark territory boundaries aggressively.
• Less playful and kittenish, but still retains natural curiosity.
• Increased solitude and intolerance of other cats except for breeding season.
• Vocalizations change timbre and serve adult communication functions.

Understanding normal feline development helps pet parents recognize healthy versus concerning behaviors.

Notable Characteristics

To summarize, here are some of the most interesting standout traits of a fully matured black-footed cat:

• Smallest wild African feline, pocket sized at 1-2 lbs.
• Nocturnal hunter active mainly at night and dusk/dawn.
• Territorial by nature, will assertively defend home range alone.
• Solitary except for breeding, kittens dispersed to establish own areas.
• Powerful legs and ability to run swiftly over long distances.
• Enormous eyes for maximum visual capacity in low light.
• Distinctive patterning easily concealed in rocky/bushy habitats.

From a diminutive frame arises a mighty predator perfectly adapted for survival on the African veld.

Price and Availability

Given their endangered status in the wild, fully grown pet quality black-footed cats are rarely available for adoption. When they can be obtained legally through licensed breeders, expect to pay $3,000-$5,000 USD per cat.

Adopting an adult requires the same level of commitment as a juvenile in terms of providing an appropriately-sized secure enclosure, specialized diet, vet care and daily enrichment/handling. Adoption should only be undertaken by experienced exotic cat guardians.

Possible Stress or Aggression

Black-footed cats reaching maturity may display stress or aggression in certain situations:

• Over-handling if not well-socialized as a kitten can cause anxiety.
• Medical procedures like nail trims may cause struggling or spitting.
• New pets or people introduced suddenly may bring on hissing/growling.
• Overcrowded living conditions can increase territorial tensions.
• Rough or loud play can feel threatening rather than fun.

Preventing triggers through careful socialization, environmental control and positive reinforcement helps keep an adult black-footed cat calm and relaxed.

Compatibility with Children

While some black-footed cats may tolerate very calm, respectful children, in general they do not make suitable pets for families with young kids. This is due to several risk factors:

• High prey drive may view toddlers' fast movements as challenging.
• Nervous disposition - loud or boisterous play can easily frighten them.
• Territorial nature - small child inadvertently invading space risks bite.
• Fragile construction, prone to injury if toddler grabs or handles roughly.
• Small size invites curiosity but claws/teeth very able to inflict harm.

Children under 12 years old are rarely a good match for even a fully socialized adult black-footed cat.