12 surprisingly rare species of wild dogs and cats

You probably won't see these rare dog and cat species in your forests. These are some of the rarest dogs and cats in the world - whether due to deforestation, loss of habitat, or lack of suitable breeding partners, you will have a hard time finding these dogs and cats around the world. If you find them, you are probably either a scientific researcher or a very wealthy person.

Do you think you've seen all the cats and dogs in the world? You are wrong. Of course, many people have a dog in the house or a cat, but that does not mean that they are experts in this area. There are some creatures you never knew existed.

If you're wondering what is causing the population of these dogs and cats to decline, where you can find them, and what their eating habits are, you've come to the right place.

12 PHOTOS

1. Long-tailed cat.

The loss of habitat is what has led to the decline in the population of this cat. They can be found in Central and South America if you look closely.

2. Darwin's fox.

It is estimated that there are fewer than 3,000 Darwinian foxes left in the world, and the last of them can be found in Chile.

3. Pallas' cat.

Pallas' cat, which lives mainly in Central Asia, is considered “endangered”.

4. Black-footed cat.

Black-footed cats are the smallest cat breed in Africa. They are mostly nocturnal, which may explain why they are difficult to find and study. It is estimated that fewer than 10,000 of these cats remain in the wild.

5. Fishing cat.

Fishing cat calls South Asia home, but they are listed as vulnerable due to loss of habitat.

6. Rusty cat.

One of the smallest feline species in the world, the rusty cat can only be found in India or Sri Lanka.

7. Red wolf.

The homeland of wolves is Central and East Asia. Unlike wolves, pack members are quite playful and friendly with each other. Fewer than 3,000 of these animals remain in the wild.

8. New Guinea Singing Dog.

These dogs from Papua New Guinea emit a very characteristic howl that makes it sound like they are singing. There is a domestic version of these dogs, but wild New Guinea singing dogs are extremely rare.

9. Sumatran cat.

You can find these cats in Indonesia and Malaysia; their population is endangered due to the loss of habitat.

10. Maned wolf.

It looks like a wolf. It also looks like a fox. Neither one nor the other! These creatures are the only species of the genus Chrysocyon, and they are native to South America.

11. Ethiopian jackal.

Considered Africa's most endangered predator, the Ethiopian jackal is critically endangered in its habitat.

12. Hyena dog.

The Hyena Dog is one of the most social dogs in the world; they do almost everything in the pack. However, fewer than 1,500 of these animals remain in the wild, and their population is declining.