Jungle Cat/Reed Cat (Asia)

Scientific Name: Felis chaus

Subspecies: A total of nine subspecies have been described, four of which are present in this region: 1. Felis ch. chaus: Caucasus, the Volga delta, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Israel and Lebanon. 2. Felis ch. oxiana: Central Asia. 3. Felis ch. furax: Iraq and southern Iran. 4. Felis ch. affinis: In the Indian- and Nepalese Himal: From Kashmir to Sikkim.

Habitat: Rivers, lakes, swamps, wet jungles and forests with long grass and reeds. Is also found on farmland e.g. maize, sugar-cane and cotton fields.

Description: Medium sized cat weighing up to 14 kg and measuring up to 40 cm over the shoulder. It reaches a total body length of 95 cm. without tail (25 cm). General colour sandy with a brown or red tinge or yellowish grey with washed out stipes or spots. Underparts yellowish buff. The ears are pointed with small tufts of dark hair.

Hunting method: With dogs or traps.