Lato

The lato (Leopardus picala) is a small wild cat living on the Parapi continent. They are widespread throughout their natural range, and some have been successfully placed in zoos throughout the northern hemisphere.

Physical Characteristics
Lato are agile and stealthy predators. They are small, less than 130cm (51 in) in length, including a 45 cm long tail. The average weight for lato is 4.7 kg (10.3 lb), though some have been recorded at 10.3 kg (22.7 lb). The coat is usually yellow with black rosettes, but rarely, pure black or white phenotypes have been recorded. Lato have incredibly flexible ankles, allowing it to climb head-first down trees.

Ecosystem
Like most of the animal life on Parapi, most lato live exclusively in the treetop canopy. Mated pairs maintain an exclusive territory approximately 10 sq km in size. Despite their skill in hunting, lato are not the apex predator on Parapi. Lato are prey for the larger zedato.

Reproduction
Both males and females become sexually mature at 17 months. Mating seasons occur twice a year for three weeks in Secharion and Latcharion. Gestation lasts 82-90 days with most kittens born in Aperion and Ekarion. The average litter size is 2 kittens, with a range of 1-4 kittens. Kittens open their eyes at around 12 days and are weaned about 2 weeks later. Lato are monogamous and remain together for life.

Diet
Lato hunt many of the small mammals and birds that live in the canopy of Parapi's continent-sized forest. They have been sighted hunting insects as well, though almost all of these reports involved youngsters under the age of 1 year. The favored prey of lato are keroa.

Subspecies
There are three known subspecies of lato:
 * L. picala erasde - the northern tree lato found only on North Parapi
 * L. picala nofasde - the southern tree lato found only on South Parapi
 * L. picala renoka - the ground lato. The only lato that lives at least part of its life on the forest floor.