Jungle Cat Life Cycle

The life cycle of Jungle Cats (Felis chaus) can be summarised as follows:

Jungle Cat Gestation: 63 - 66 days

Jungle Cat Litter Size: 2 - 3 kittens (max 6)

Jungle Cat Sub-Adult: 8 - 9 months

Jungle Cat Sexual Maturity:

Females 11 months

Males 12 - 18 months

Jungle Cat Lifespan: Unknown in the wild - 20 years in captivity

Jungle Cat facts reference: Wild Cats of the World by Luke Hunter (2015) based on the latest scientific research.

There have been few studies of Jungle Cats in the wild and so most information is from captive cats.

Jungle cats are believed to reproduce seasonally with mating during winter and births during spring (Northern Hemisphere).

Gestation (pregnancy) is around two months and on average two to three kittens are born per litter.

Jungle Cat kittens become independent at eight to nine months.

 

Jungle Cat female sub-adults become sexually mature from 11 months and males from 12 to 18 months.

Mortality in the wild is suspected to be typically by larger carnivores, and possibly other predators such as reptiles. Jungle Cats are killed by domestic dogs and persecuted by farmers in human settlements.

The lifespan of Jungle Cats in the wild is not known but cats in captivity have survived up to twenty years.

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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.

More Jungle Cat Facts >

SIZE The Jungle Cat is about twice the size of a domestic cat. Males are larger than females.

BODY The Jungle Cat is similar in stature to the African Wildcat however it is much larger and taller.

More Jungle Cat Characteristics >

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

In its African and western range the Jungle Cat is associated with reeds and long grasses.

More about Jungle Cat Range >

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