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Jungle Cat Facts

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Felis chaus

COMMON NAMES

Although called the Jungle Cat in Asia, it is commonly known as the Swamp Cat or Reed Cat in Africa (subspecies Felis chaus nilotica) due to its occurrence in wet habitats.

NAME ORIGIN

The name Felis chaus was derived from the Caucasus Mountains where the Jungle Cat was first discovered.

HISTORY

The Jungle Cat was tamed by ancient Egyptians to hunt wildfowl and has been featured in Egyptian art. A few mummified remains have been found in tombs.

IDENTIFICATION

The Jungle Cat's plain coat varies from sandy yellow to reddish in its southern range to shades of grey in the north. There are light brown stripes on the legs and a few rings on the tail which has a dark tip.

DISTRIBUTION

The Jungle Cat is widespread in Asia with the extreme edge of its range in north east Africa.

UNIQUE BEHAVIOR

Jungle Cats feed mainly on small rodents, birds, hares, fish and reptiles. They are often active in the daytime and are unusually good swimmers. In the wild they make use of the disused burrows of other animals but with the loss of habitat they are increasingly being sighted near human settlements.

Jungle Cat (Felis chaus)
Jungle Cat (Felis chaus) by Terry Whittaker

Jungle Cat Key Facts

*   Mostly Asia range

*   Active day & night

*   Strong swimmers



Video: Jungle Cat Species Spotlight by Big Cat Rescue

Further Information

The following professional organizations have well researched and accurate information on Jungle Cats:

Articles about Jungle Cats

Most articles about Jungle Cats are about the species in their Asian range, nevertheless, here are some interesting articles written by experts:

Jungle cats adapt to life on a farm ~ Mongabay
Jungle Cat India
The jungle cat (Felis chaus) in a field. Photo Yatin Verma/Mongabay.

Excerpt:

"With dwindling natural habitats, the jungle cat has adapted more readily than most other small cats, to live in cultivated and artificial landscapes. A natural pest manager, the solitary jungle cat consumes approximately 1,500 rodents annually."

Watch the full documentary at:

Jungle cats adapt to life on a farm - Mongabay

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