One of the smallest cat species in the world, the rusty-spotted cat has been called the hummingbird of the cat family, due to its small size, agility and activeness (2). About half the size of a domestic cat (2), the rusty-spotted cat has a short, soft, fawn-grey coat with a rufous tinge, covered with lines of small rusty-brown spots that form solid stripes along the back of the head (4). The underparts are white, marked with large spots and bars (2). The face has two dark streaks on each cheek, and four dark stripes that extend from the eyes, back between the ears to the shoulders (2). Its ears are small and rounded, and the tail is faintly marked with dark rings (4).