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environment and the herbivores which fed on it, the cats particularly the
larger species, have either disappeared with the forests which held them or
having taken to preying on domestic stock with which man replaced wild
herbivores, were exterminated by man. The Tiger Panthera tigris for
instance is now restricted to the eastern districts of the Vidarbha area and
small forest area in south-west Maharashtra having disappeared from all
other areas, where it was known to exist in 1920’s. The Leopard Panthera
pardus with its ability to adapt is capable of wider distribution but has also
lost ground in most parts of the State. Time is not distant when it will be
confined like the tiger to a few isolated forests in the State and will need
protection. The Cheetah Acinonyx juhats accustomed to living in open
country has already become extinct in Maharashtra State (as well as in
India) with the reduction in numbers or disappearance of its major food
species the Blackbuck. The smaller cats which do not come into conflict
with man’s interest to the extent that the larger ones do are not in an
equally bad position, yet. The Jungle cat Felis chaus distinguished by its
short tail, long legs and black pencils of hairs to its ear-tips was at one
time widely distributed in the State. It preys on small mammals and birds
and near villages may rob poultry runs. The Desert cat Felis libyca ornata
has been recently recorded in the Poona District. Smaller than a Jungle cat
it is distinguished by spots on the body and black rings on the terminal
half of its tail. There is little information on its habits. The forest dwelling
Leopard cat, Felis bengalensis is likely to occur in the forested tracts of the
Western Ghats and Vidarbha. Equal in size to a domestic cat but with
longer legs, this beautiful cat which looks like a miniature leopard feeds
on small animals and birds. Another species, the Rusty spotted cat Felis
rubiginosa occurs only along the Western Ghats from Dangs southwards.
Smaller in size than a domestic cat it is fawn grey with dark brown and
rusty spots and bars. Frequents grassland, scrub, and jungle.
The herbivorous animals apart from the elephant are grouped under
two orders, the Perissodactyla or Odd-toed ungulates and the Artiodactyla
or Even-toed ungulates. The former is not represented in the State. The
elephant (Elephas maximus) Family Proboscides which occurred in the
State in Historic times is now extinct in the State.
FAUNA 608