native cat

American  

noun

1. any of several catlike dasyures of the genus Dasyurus, of Australia and Tasmania: most populations are now rare.

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native cat British  

noun

1. any of various Australian catlike carnivorous marsupials of the genus Dasyurus

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Etymology

Origin of native cat

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

But when you’re trying to nab Washington’s most endangered native cat, a little stink is the least of your challenges.

From Seattle Times

Conservation groups in Scotland are working to have feral cats neutered so that they will not further dilute the rarer breed, which is the United Kingdom’s last native cat.

From New York Times

Eastern quolls are marsupials about the size of a small domestic cat, which is why they're also sometimes called the "native cat."

From National Geographic

Being an alien, Bowie has to insert lenses over his native cat eyes — y'know, other atmospheres and all that — to appear human.

From Los Angeles Times

And yet, while many logged forests have been hard-hit ecologically, they still show pockets of remarkable biodiversity, including all five of the native cat species.

From Nature