Kōpeo Cat

Kōpeo Cat
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Family:	Felidae
Genus:	Machiarodus
Species:	M.kōpeo
Binomial name
Machiarodus kōpeo Williams, 1847

The Kōpeo Cat (Machiarodus kōpeo), also known as the the Kōpeo Lion is a species of large Machairodontinae sabertooth cat endemic to eastern Malaio. The last surviving member of the subfamily Machairodontinae, despite it's name the Kōpeo cat is not closely related to lions, nor any other current member of the Felidae family. The largest living felid, with large males regularly exceeding 400kgs in weight and measuring 1.4m at the shoulder. Despite a member of the Machairodontinae family, Kōpeo cats canines are not as long as some extinct members, but still regularly reaching and exceeding 10cm.

The Kōpeo Cat is considered critically endangered by the Association of Malaio Ozeros Nations International Conservation Agency, with current estimates placing the total wild population at 1,200. Whilst fossil records has shown that the Kōpeo cat was once found as far westward as Kopikara in Zanzali, no fossils younger then 180,000 have been found west of the Hanaki Wetlands. The Kōpeo cat is argued by some in the scientific community to undergoing a process of natural extinction; and that whilst accelerated by human activity has led to controversy in whether or not this animal and it's habitats should be maintained.

Description

Whilst like many Machairodontinae cats the Kōpeo Cat has powerful muscular forelimbs, particularly in comparison to members of the currentPanthera; this is not as significantly muscled or developed as other notable members of the group, such as the extinct Smilodontini. It's overall body is more evenly balanced, if more heavily muscled then other extant big cats.

The head is relatively narrow in comparison to big cats of the Panthera genus relative to it's size, but is particularly well-muscled. Unlike other Machairodontinae groups, the jaw cannot open particularly wide, limited to a more typical 70 degrees, just slightly more then the Malaio lion. The infamous canines are typical for members of its genus, generally thin side-to-side but wide front-to-back and long, reaching roughly 10cm or more in length. Whilst large, this isn't as large as is known from other members, which can been noted to reach upto 18cm. 

Colouration ranges from a light tan to a dark brown, interspersed with thick dark brown or black bands of horizontal stripes and spots that run down the length of the animal. The underside is typically lighter in colouration, frequently reaching to a white.

Most famously is the Kōpeo cats distinctive "warpaint”, a semi-random shaped patch of fur on it face. This 'warpaint' is typically orange, red, black or white, although a handful of more exotic colourations are attested too historically, including brown and yellow. Pupils are typically blue, with black irises.

The Kōpeo Cat displays significant sexual dimorphism, with females rarely exceeding 300kgs, with males regularly x1.3 larger. The largest verified recorded male, known simply as King, was captured and weighed 435kgs.

Behavior

The Kōpeo Cat is noted to be a solitary-but-social species. A male will establish a territory that encompasses the territories of several females (typically 3-4) which are referred to as his “harem, and whilst females territories will occasionally overlap, the home range of males do not are are typically well defined. Despite these groupings being known as “prides”, the Kōpeo cat does not demonstrate or engage in many of the social interactions of true lions, and only vary rarely will the whole group come together.

Territory is marked through a mix of olfactory, audio and visual markings. Animals of both sexes will spray the borders of their ranges, as well as rub themselves against trees. Scratching of the trees with their claws is also another common method of marking. Typically only males will roar for territorial purposes; with the sound able to be heard upto 10km away under the right conditions.

Reproduction and childcare

Females are polyoestrous, and became sexually active by five years of age. Females will go into heat several times throughout the spring months; in which she will make short-barking calls to signal her availability to nearby males. Whilst males typically avoid each other; fertile females will often cause conflict between the dominant male and any local challengers.

Females within the same males territory will sync up their respective cycles, meaning the dominant male is regularly moving from one to the other during the summer months.

Females have small litters, rarely more then three cubs and more typically one or two. For the first several weeks, new mothers will go into seculsion, avoiding leaving her cubs for extended periods and moving them around her territory multiple times a month. Males play only a minimal role in the rearing of young. They will however, protect any young in their territory when they make a destress call, regardless of known parentage. Mothers evict their offspring by two years of age, and they must go out to find their own territories.

Predatory behavior

The relatively heavy build, short limbs and tail results in the Kōpeo cat be a predominately ambush predators. Typical , however there have been historical references of prides of Kōpeo Cat coming together to hunt very large prey, such as Elephants. This behavior is exceedingly rare, and was only confirmed in 1982, when a stray aged bull Malaio savannah elephant was videoed being hunted by a pride. Such behavior has not been recorded since.