Which African wild cat is the smallest?

The black-footed cat is the smallest African wild cat.

This small feline, Felis nigripes, lives in dry regions of southern Africa, including parts of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Despite its name, the underside of its feet is usually dark rather than the entire foot appearing uniformly black. Its coat is tawny to buff, marked with dark spots and bands that provide camouflage in scrub and grass.

Black-footed cats are nocturnal hunters. They eat rodents, birds, reptiles, and insects, and they can kill prey larger than might be expected from their size. The species is sometimes confused with domestic or feral cats, but its compact body, heavily marked coat, and wild behavior distinguish it. It is one of Africa’s least-studied felids because of its solitary, night-active lifestyle.