Jungle Cats

Jungle Cat (Felis Chaus)

(Other names: Swamp Cat, Reed Cat or Marsh Cat)

Jungle Cats played an important part in the ancient cults of the Nile

Valley. These cats were tamed and trained to hunt wild fowl. They have

been found in ancient tombs. The Jungle Cat can be found throughout

Tropical Asia, Southwest Asia and in Northern Africa. You will hear

many refer to them as "African" Jungle Cats, however, of the nine

subspecies, only two are found in the extreme North Africa. All other

subspecies are found in Asia.

The Jungle Cat has long legs and a slender build. The fur is generally

sandy brown, reddish or grey and is unpatterned except for stripes on

the legs and occasionally the throat, which are very light in the south of

its range and darker in the north. They are also found in melanistic

form (black) and silver-tip (black with silver running throughout the coat).

They have black ear tufts and 3/4 length tail (reaching to the hocks).