Adult Jungle Cat


Description: The tail is short and the legs long. Their ears are taipered and tufted with a light spot at the base. Coat: Sandy brown to yellow grey, some have dark stripes on their faces and legs, all have a ringed tail.
Size: Head and body length 60-90cm, tail length 20-35cm.
Weight: 7-13.5kg.
Senses: Sight and hearing very good, sense of smell moderate.
Habitat: Dry forest, woodland, scrub, reed beds and also often close to human settlements.
Range: Holds territories of several sq km.
Distribution: Egypt to Indochina and Sri Lanka.
Status: Restricted habitat, now enclosed by human settlements in some parts of it's range.
Daily Rhythm: Most active through the day.
Voice: Cannot roar but meows and purs and growls and hisses when angry or afraid.
Enemies: Few predators threaten this cat. Its main enemy was formerlly the leopard, however they have been eliminated from the swamp cats range. Young may fall prey to jackals, civets and similar predators.
Prey: Rodents, frogs and small to medium birds, including waterfowl, eggs lizards, frogs and fish. Dependant on water.
Food and Feeding: Generally kill their own prey but will take carrion occasionally.
Grouping: Solitary.
Breeding: Rutting takes place in February-March.
Gestation: 66 days.
Litter Size: 2-5 young in each litter.
Young Description: Young animals carry a distinctive close-set stripe pattern which gradually disappears. Kittens weigh 45-55g at birth. Their eyes open within 10-12 days.
Nest: Nests are well hidden.
Young Care: Kittens suckle for about about 2 months and become independent at 5 months.
Sexual Maturity: About 18 months.
Longevity: 12-15 years.

Geographical Variations:
Felis chaus nilotica
Distribution: Lower Nile Valley.

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