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What is world’s smallest cat? Get to know the tiniest cat breed

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What is world’s smallest cat? Get to know the tiniest cat breed

From the wild ones to those that roam around your living room, cats come in all shapes and sizes.

Tigers and lions − commonly referred to as “big cats” − can weigh anywhere from 198 to 584 pounds. The largest recorded tiger weighed around 846 pounds, according to an unconfirmed report in Guinness World Records. The largest recorded lion weighed about 595 pounds, Discovery reports.

But what about the other side of the scale? What is the smallest cat in the world? Here is what you need to know about the tiniest felines. 

What is the smallest cat in the world? 

The rusty-spotted cat is one of the smallest in the cat family, according to the International Society for Endangered Cats Canada. It is the smallest wild cat in the world.

This feline ranges from around 13 to 19 inches in length and 2 to 3.5 pounds in weight. Measuring between 5.9 to 11 inches, the rusty-spotted cat’s tail makes up about half of its size.

Rusty-spotted cats are smaller than domestic cats. They have short round heads, short-rounded ears and two white streaks by the inner sides of their eyes. They are brown-gray and have various dark streaks and marks over their bodies. 

This species is found only in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, according to the Felidae Conservation Fund. Rusty-spotted cats live in moist and dry deciduous forests but can also be found in grasslands, hill slopes, shrublands and other habitats. 

What is the smallest cat breed?

The wild cat’s domesticated cousin, the Singapura, is the smallest cat breed, according to Purina. Its name means “Singapore” in Malay, which is fitting as the cat originates from the country. 

Singapuras are small and muscular. Adult females weigh between 4 and 5 pounds, while males weigh about 6 to 8 pounds, according to the Cat Fanciers’ Association.

They are light beige and have large eyes and ears. Singapuras are a social, playful and curious breed and are often described as “impish,” Purina reports.

When do cats stop growing? How to know your pet has reached its full size.

Just Curious for more? We’ve got you covered

USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From “How often should you take your cat to the vet?” to “Why is my cat vomiting?” to “Why do cats meow?” − we’re striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer.

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