Kōpeo Cat
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| Kōpeo Cat | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | Chordata
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| Class: | Mammalia
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| Order: | Carnivora
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| Family: | Felidae
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| Genus: | Machiarodus
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| Species: | M.kōpeo
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| Binomial name | |
| Machiarodus kōpeo Williams, 1847
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The Kōpeo Cat, 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 Smilodontini.
The head is relatively narrow in comparison to big cats of the Panthera genus relative to it's size, but is particularly well-muscled. 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.
Most famously is the Kōpeo cat distincitve “warpaint”, a semi-random shaped patch of fur on it face. This 'warpaint' is typically orange, red, black or white, althought 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.