# Marbled cat

> The marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata) is a small, marble-patterned wild cat with a very long, bushy tail, living in the forests of Sumatra and Borneo.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/marbled-cat/ · Updated 25 September 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/kucing-batu/
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**Review status:** Compiled and checked against the listed sources; not yet reviewed by a specialist.

## Quick answer

The Marbled cat (*Pardofelis marmorata*) is a mammal in the family Felidae. Its IUCN Red List category is Near Threatened.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Pardofelis marmorata* |
| Indonesian name | Kucing batu |
| Group | Mammals |
| Family | Felidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Sumatra and Borneo (Kalimantan) |
| Linked habitats | [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/) |
| Diet | Probably birds, squirrels, fruit bats and rats |
| Range in Indonesia | Sumatra and Kalimantan |
| Key feature | Marbled coat, bushy tail almost as long as body |
| Other names | Kucing batu (Indonesian) |
| Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected under Permen LHK P.106 of 2018 |
| IUCN status | Near Threatened · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2435089) · checked 25 September 2026 |

## What is the marbled cat?

The marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata) is a small wild cat about the size of a large house cat, with a marbled coat and a thick, very long tail. ADW gives a head-and-body length of 45–61 cm, a tail of 35–55 cm and a weight of 2.4–5 kg. The base colour ranges from grey-brown to red-brown, with large black-edged blotches. Its pattern resembles a clouded leopard's, but genetic studies show its closest relatives are the Asiatic golden cat (Catopuma temminckii) and the bay cat (Catopuma badia). Sumatran and Bornean animals belong to the subspecies P. m. marmorata.

Evidence: [IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group — Marbled cat](https://www.catsg.org/living-species-marbledcat) · [Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan) — Pardofelis marmorata, marbled cat](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pardofelis_marmorata/)

## Where does the marbled cat live?

In Indonesia, the marbled cat lives in the forests of Sumatra and Borneo. It depends on forest and appears to prefer remote, moist primary forest. On Sumatra, camera traps have recorded it in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, in lowland secondary and primary forest, and even in small forest fragments among coffee plantations. In Kalimantan it has been recorded in the Sabangau peat-swamp forest. It seems to avoid heavily disturbed habitats, and a survey in Sabah did not record it inside oil palm plantations. Across its range it has been recorded from sea level to about 3,000 m.

Evidence: [IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group — Marbled cat](https://www.catsg.org/living-species-marbledcat) · [PLOS One (Hearn et al. 2016) — The first estimates of marbled cat Pardofelis marmorata population density from Bornean primary and selectively logged forest](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0151046)

## What does the marbled cat eat?

The marbled cat is thought to prey on birds and small mammals, especially those living in trees. No dedicated diet study exists. The IUCN Cat Specialist Group lists likely prey as birds, tree squirrels, fruit bats and rats, and probably insects, lizards and frogs. There are several records of marbled cats preying on primates, and one has been seen stalking birds in trees. The stomach of a dead individual in Thailand held the remains of a small rat. On Sumatra, villagers outside national parks report that it very occasionally takes poultry.

Evidence: [IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group — Marbled cat](https://www.catsg.org/living-species-marbledcat) · [Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan) — Pardofelis marmorata, marbled cat](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pardofelis_marmorata/)

## How does the marbled cat behave?

The marbled cat is a skilled climber that usually lives alone, yet it also often walks on the ground. It can climb down trees head-first, and its long tail helps it balance while climbing. Camera traps on Sumatra and Borneo suggest it may be mainly active by day, contrary to the old view that it is nocturnal. Most breeding data come from captivity. According to ADW, gestation lasts 66–82 days, litters have 2–4 kittens, and sexual maturity comes at about 21–22 months.

Evidence: [IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group — Marbled cat](https://www.catsg.org/living-species-marbledcat) · [Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan) — Pardofelis marmorata, marbled cat](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pardofelis_marmorata/) · [PLOS One (Hearn et al. 2016) — The first estimates of marbled cat Pardofelis marmorata population density from Bornean primary and selectively logged forest](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0151046)

## Why is the marbled cat threatened?

Forest loss is the main threat, because the marbled cat depends on tree cover. South-east Asia has some of the fastest deforestation anywhere, driven by logging and conversion to settlements, oil palm, coffee, rubber and other plantations. Indiscriminate snaring is also a major problem. Some Dayak communities in Kalimantan use its meat and skin as medicine. IUCN lists it as Near Threatened, with an unknown population trend. It is rarely photographed: in the Sabangau peat-swamp forest, more than 5,423 camera-trap nights passed before the first image.

Evidence: [IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group — Marbled cat](https://www.catsg.org/living-species-marbledcat) · [PLOS One (Hearn et al. 2016) — The first estimates of marbled cat Pardofelis marmorata population density from Bornean primary and selectively logged forest](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0151046)

## How can the marbled cat be protected?

The marbled cat is protected in Indonesia: it is listed in the annex to Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018, and internationally it is on CITES Appendix I. Do not catch, keep or trade marbled cats or their body parts. Protecting forest is key, including selectively logged forest: a study in Sabah found evidence of marbled cats breeding in such forest. If you find snares or see marbled cats offered for sale, report it to the local BKSDA. Camera-trap photos and sighting records also help researchers understand this rarely seen cat.

Evidence: [JDIH Kemenko Infrastruktur — Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang jenis tumbuhan dan satwa yang dilindungi (PDF)](https://jdih.kemenkoinfra.go.id/cfind/source/files/permen-lhk/permenlhk-nomor-p.106-tahun-2018.pdf) · [IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group — Marbled cat](https://www.catsg.org/living-species-marbledcat) · [PLOS One (Hearn et al. 2016) — The first estimates of marbled cat Pardofelis marmorata population density from Bornean primary and selectively logged forest](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0151046)

## Common questions about the Marbled cat

### What is the scientific name of the Marbled cat?

The scientific name of the Marbled cat is *Pardofelis marmorata*, in the family Felidae. In Indonesian it is called Kucing batu.

### Where can the Marbled cat be found in Indonesia?

In Indonesia, this guide records the Marbled cat in: Sumatra and Borneo (Kalimantan).

Source-supported habitats: [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/).

### What does the Marbled cat eat?

Diet of the Marbled cat: probably birds, squirrels, fruit bats and rats.

### What is the conservation status of the Marbled cat?

On the IUCN Red List, the Marbled cat is listed as Near Threatened: it is close to qualifying, or likely to qualify, for a threatened category in the near future. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2435089), checked 25 September 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Marbled cat is a protected species, consult the current national list of [protected species](https://panduanhewan.org/en/glossary/#satwa-dilindungi) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office).

## Sources & references

1. [IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group — Marbled cat](https://www.catsg.org/living-species-marbledcat)
2. [Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan) — Pardofelis marmorata, marbled cat](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pardofelis_marmorata/)
3. [PLOS One (Hearn et al. 2016) — The first estimates of marbled cat Pardofelis marmorata population density from Bornean primary and selectively logged forest](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0151046)
4. [JDIH Kemenko Infrastruktur — Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang jenis tumbuhan dan satwa yang dilindungi (PDF)](https://jdih.kemenkoinfra.go.id/cfind/source/files/permen-lhk/permenlhk-nomor-p.106-tahun-2018.pdf)

## Keep exploring

- [Agile gibbon](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/agile-gibbon/)
- [Banteng](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/banteng/)
- [Bearded pig](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/bearded-pig/)
- [Binturong](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/binturong/)
- [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Marbled cat. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/marbled-cat/