Jungle (bog) Cat: A Description Of The Appearance, Character, Lifestyle, Photo Of The Cat

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

Everything you want to know about the jungle cat

The jungle cat is a unique member of the feline family. It has a long history of relationship with a person, it is distinguished by its size and strength. gracefulness. This cat managed to preserve its excellent hunting qualities, brought from the wild and, at the same time, learned to live next to humans, maintaining its dignity and independence. Therefore, many cat lovers around the world love this species. However, it is not so easy to build relationships with a jungle cat, due to the peculiarities of its character. For the correct construction of relationships with this animal, it is important to know its habits, behavioral features, rules of care and feeding.

Content

• 1 History of the origin of the jungle cat

• 2 Appearance of a jungle cat

  • 2.1 Table: appearance of a jungle cat

    2.1.1 Photo gallery: exterior features of a jungle cat

• 3 Jungle cat in the wild

  • 3.1 Habitat

    • 3.1.1 Photo gallery: habitats of the jungle cat
    • 3.1.2 Video: blogger "Wild Fauna" about the appearance and habitat of the jungle cat

  • 3.2 Food and hunting

    • 3.2.1 Photo gallery: Jungle cat on the hunt
    • 3.2.2 Video: blogger Alexandr Yarovenko on the hunt of a jungle cat
    • 3.2.3 Video: Funny Channel on how a jungle cat is fishing
  • 3.3 Reproduction and care of offspring

• 4 Jungle cat in captivity

  • 4.1 Aviary equipment

    4.1.1 Video: blogger Alexander Chernov about the enclosure and behavior of a jungle cat in captivity

  • 4.2 The nature of the jungle cat

    4.2.1 Video: blogger "vvvwinner" on the behavior of a jungle cat in an open-air cage

  • 4.3 Taking care of the chaus
  • 4.4 Chaus feeding, health, life expectancy
  • 4.5 Acquisition of a jungle cat
  • 4.6 Reviews of the jungle cat

The history of the origin of the jungle cat

The acquaintance of a person with a jungle cat (marsh lynx, house, Felis chaus) happened 3 thousand years ago in Ancient Egypt. The Egyptians called this animal the Nile cat. It was used by the Egyptians for hunting game birds and lived in their homes. However, the experience of the ancients in taming the jungle cat was not used by subsequent generations of people, and it remained wild. In the countryside, the animal hunted poultry. The jungle cat did it most actively in the cold, when the amount of food was reduced. Then he came closer to the man's dwelling. To protect against cat attacks on domestic animals, as well as because of the beautiful skin of a jungle cat, people hunted him for a long time.

The cat was first described in 1776 by the naturalist Johann Anton Guldenstaeld, who explored the southern part of the Russian Empire by order of Catherine II. The modern stage of hausa domestication began in 1777. Then a hybrid was bred, similar to the modern domestic jungle cat. The cat finally acquired its modern look in the twentieth century, when a wild cat was crossed with short-haired domestic cats. This made it possible, while preserving almost the original appearance, to make the animal's disposition softer.

The cat helps the ancient Egyptian to hunt birds

The appearance of a jungle cat

The wild jungle cat (swamp lynx) has a number of characteristic features:

Table: appearance of a jungle cat

Exterior parts	Description
Head	Medium or massive, rounded
Muzzle	Stretched forward
Ears	Large, erect, with tassels on the back of adults - "deceiving eyes"
Eyes	Yellow or green. Pupils are in the form of a vertical line
Body	Powerful, wide chest
Paws	Long
Tail	Slim and short. 20 - 30 cm. One third of body length
Wool	Smooth, short and thick
Color	From gray with yellow to reddish brown
Length	60 - 90 cm, sometimes up to 100 - 124 cm
Weight	The minimum weight of an adult is 5 kg. Male weight - up to 12 - 14 kg, female - up to 10 kg
Height at withers	40 - 50 cm

The largest jungle cats are found in the Caucasus and Palestine.

The color of different parts of the body of a jungle cat is different. irregularity: the head and back are brighter than the belly and tail. On the back there is more gray - brown wool with a red tint. There are stripes along the body and small blurred spots. The pattern is not clearly expressed. The sides are light. The belly is white or yellowish-orange in color. There is white fur in the groin and chin. The tail is darker than the body. It has grayish shades and black rings at the tip. In winter, the fur becomes more dense and fluffy.

The color of the coat also depends on the region of the chaus. In South Asia, the combination of red and brown is more common. Yellow tones are a distinctive feature of cats living in North Africa and Central Asia.

Photo gallery: exterior features of a jungle cat

The jungle cat has a powerful body and a wide chest

The jungle cat has a massive head with an elongated muzzle.

There are stripes along the body of a jungle cat, and there are black rings at the tip of the tail.

Jungle cat in the wild

To characterize a jungle cat, consider how it looks, its habitat, feeding habits, hunting, breeding and caring for offspring.

Habitat

Chaus loves warmth very much and chooses places with a favorable climate for him. Lives in the Western Caspian region, various regions of Asia, Transcaucasia, North Africa. In Russia, it lives on the plains of Dagestan, further along the coast of the Caspian Sea to the mouth of the Volga, although it has not been observed here for a long time. The Caucasian jungle cat is an endangered species and is listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, but the Felis chaus kutas species, which lives in North India and Pakistan, on the contrary, is expanding its population. In the wild, the jungle cat prefers swampy areas with thickets of reeds and bushes, lives along water bodies, does not like open areas, high mountains, since it is cold there. Very rarely climbs trees. Swims great. It often occupies old burrows of foxes or badgers, but does not make shelter itself, hiding in dense coastal thickets. Changes habitats. Lives mostly alone and covers an area of 50 - 180 square kilometers. Moreover, the zones of males border on the zones of females. It approaches a person's dwelling only during periods of food shortage.

Photo gallery: jungle cat habitats

In the wild, jungle cats live in regions with a warm climate.

The yellow-brown color allows the house to be invisible in the reed beds

The shrub is the favorite habitat of the jungle cat

Video: blogger "Wild Fauna" about the appearance and habitat of the jungle cat

Food and hunting

The jungle cat hunts at night. During the day - only in winter due to lack of feed. He has excellent eyesight and hearing. Like all felines, it sits in ambush and lies in wait for the victim. Prey guards at the nest or trail. Jumps up high while hunting in order to catch a bird on takeoff. Knows how and loves to swim, dive. Immersion enables the cat not only to get food, but also to destroy the smell. This is the difference between the wild cat and their domestic counterparts, who mark everywhere. Chaus loves to fish during a drought, when the water recedes in reservoirs and pits are formed in which fish swim. He runs to her in big leaps through the mud, grabbing and carrying the fish into the thicket of reeds. When fishing, it also uses a cunning technique: it hits the water with its paw, imitating the movements of insects. The fish emerges, and the cat catches it using its claws like a harpoon. The weight of the caught fish is 200 - 500 grams. Eats birds, rodents, fish, reptiles, sometimes hares and cubs of large animals. Not afraid of snakes, catches and eats them. When hunting for nutria, he prefers to catch young individuals, since adults often fight him back. The natural enemies of the jungle cat are leopards and wolves. In winter and spring, it approaches a person's dwelling to hunt for domestic game. He also closely observes how a person hunts and often manages to seize prey earlier than a hunting dog. A cat can walk from 3 to 6 kilometers during the night. Usually, it is enough for a house to eat two mice or one rat for a day. Usually, it is enough for a house to eat two mice or one rat for a day. Usually, it is enough for a house to eat two mice or one rat for a day.

During my student years, I was in practice in Azerbaijan (Mingechevir). One weekend my friends and I went to rest on the shore of the Mingechevir reservoir. Not far from the water, thickets of bushes began. A narrow path divided the bush massif into two equal parts. I and a few other people went to inspect the surroundings. We walked carelessly along the path. Several birds were flying around. They sat on the bushes and pecked something there. Suddenly, from behind a nearby bush, a huge cat literally soared up. She was long, grayish-brown in color with powerful paws. The cat jumped a meter and a half and firmly grabbed the flying bird. The bird tried to escape, but it failed. The cat clamped her teeth and dragged her away from the path into the thick of bushes. Then I did not know what animal I met on the path, but my friends suggestedthat it was a jungle cat.

Photo gallery: Jungle cat on the hunt

Excellent vision and hearing help the house quickly locate prey

Fishing is one of the main ways to hunt a jungle cat

Excellent jumping ability helps the jungle cat to catch birds

Video: blogger Alexandr Yarovenko about the jungle cat hunting

Video: Funny Channel on how the jungle cat is fishing

Reproduction and care of offspring

The breeding period of the Haus is different and depends on the area of their habitat. If in the southern regions mating occurs at any time of the year, then in the northern regions - at the end of winter - early spring. Males are fighting for the female or for the habitat. They scare off rivals with loud, low voices and often fight. The female builds the den. She chooses an inconspicuous place where no one will bother her while caring for her offspring. Usually this is a nest left by other animals (for example, foxes), which is laid out with dry grass, feathers and wool.

Bearing lasts 53 - 66 days. There can be from 3 to 6 kittens in a litter, which are born blind. They begin to see in 10 to 12 days. The weight of a newborn kitten is 60 - 100 grams. More males are always born than females. At birth, kittens have stripes all over their bodies, which then disappear. Kittens feed on their own by 3 months. During the breeding season and caring for the offspring, jungle cats live in groups - mother, father and brood. The cat and the cat jointly protect and care for the offspring, providing them with food and a place to sleep. At 5 - 6 months, kittens become completely independent and the family breaks up. After a year and a half, jungle cats can breed. The lifetime of the House in the wild is 13-15 years.

Jungle cats use abandoned burrows of other animals to give birth and care for offspring

Jungle cat in captivity

Before taking a jungle cat (chaus) to your home, you need to clearly understand that chaus is a wild animal. He has a rather aggressive personality. The furnishings of your apartment, walls and even the ceiling will be destroyed immediately. Restriction in movement can lead to uncontrollable activity or lethargy of the animal. It is preferable to keep a wild jungle cat in a private house, preferably in an aviary. He has no place in the apartment.

Aviary equipment

The area of the cage should be at least three square meters. Height - not less than five. The bigger, the better. If the size of the cage is less than the minimum, then the cat will lose mobility, which will lead to diseases. The aviary is fenced with a metal mesh. The floor is made concrete. A wooden flooring is placed on top or a powder is made with a mixture of earth and sand. Inside the enclosure, areas for sowing grass are allocated to bring conditions closer to natural. A shelter similar to a dog booth is equipped. The bottom is laid out with straw and stone or wooden terraces are made. The same terraces can be made on the territory of the open part of the aviary. A litter tray is used for the toilet.

The jungle cat in the aviary loves to climb heights

Video: blogger Alexander Chernov about the aviary and the behavior of a jungle cat in captivity

Jungle cat personality

Chaus loves to play, socialize and is curious. He needs freedom, space, human attention, care, affection. With cats of this breed you need to talk and play a lot. Then you will have a wonderful pet with a friendly character and features of a wild jungle cat. Females are more playful. The jungle cat is very strongly attached to the owner, therefore it is almost impossible to give it to someone else's house. He might not stand it. The cat plays with children, but these games must be supervised by adults, as wild genes can manifest themselves at any time. Chaus lends itself to training, but like any wild animal, it can get out of hand. In order for the cat to become calmer, more domestic, it is recommended to castrate him (to sterilize the female). The jungle cat loves to learn something new and is happy when the owner pays attention to him. When training your cat, remember to reinforce its success with your favorite food. Unlike other breeds of cats, chaus are not afraid of strangers who come to the house, and willingly get to know them. Sometimes they even make friends with dogs. Its relationship with other animals depends on their size. As a playmate, chaus can perceive an animal of about its size: he considers small ones as prey,and avoids the big ones.

In the aviary, chaus loves high places. Therefore, he needs to equip artificial hills where he will sit, lie or play. It is not recommended to place objects that may break or fall here.

Do not forget that the chaus loves to swim and hunt in the water. It is very good if there is an outdoor pool in the yard of your house. The jungle cat must have access to it. It is also a good idea to put live fish into the pool so that the cat can hunt.

Another hallmark of chaus is the habit of making supplies in various secluded places. He can hide any thing at his discretion. So, if you have something missing, ask the cat.

Jungle cat needs constant communication with a person

Video: blogger "vvvwinner" about the behavior of a jungle cat in an open-air cage

Chaus care

If you leave the cat locked up for a long time, then you will definitely have to clean up after his pranks. Chausa must be walked in the fresh air on a harness. In the pool (bath) in which the chaus bathes, you can launch fish for catching. Periodically, the cat must be brushed with a special comb, and the mats must be cut. As it gets dirty, you need to bathe him with a zooshampoo, washing his ears. The coat of a jungle cat is short, it sheds quickly and, in this regard, does not cause much trouble to the owner, but nevertheless, during the molting period, combing must be carried out daily. In order for the chaus not to spoil the surrounding objects and to feel comfortable, he needs to buy a scratching post. One of the difficulties in caring for a Chaus is that it is difficult for a cat to get used to the litter box. In order to develop the habit of satisfying your natural needs in the right place as quickly as possible, the filler there needs to be changed as often as possible. He will not go to a dirty tray.

A harness is used to walk the chaus.

Chaus feeding, health, life expectancy

The main food of the chaus is meat. Suitable for poultry, beef, rabbit, fish, forage mice and quail. You cannot give pork. For the correct calculation of the portion of meat, you need to contact the veterinarian, who will determine it based on the age and characteristics of the organism of this individual. On average, an adult cat needs 200 grams of meat per day and one live mouse. Live fish can be fed once a week. Fresh greens and vitamins are constantly required, especially in autumn. An important rule for organizing the proper nutrition of a jungle cat is a fasting day: he does not receive food, but water must be given. This is done no more than once a week. Unloading helps to maintain the optimal weight of the cat in conditions of reduced motor load.

You cannot give dry food either, even if they are of the highest quality. This is because the amount of nutrients the cat needs cannot be provided by dry food. Also, foods rich in fiber - cereals and vegetables are contraindicated for a jungle cat. Kittens need to be given vitamins and calcium from the moment they start feeding on their own until two years old. Dairy and fermented milk products, calcium and other microelements can serve as an addition to their nutrition.

Chaus is very voracious. Therefore, he constantly begs for additional food. You need to feed him once a day, and kittens up to one year old - twice a day. After feeding, it is necessary to remove food from the places available to him. You can just give the cat a drink of water.

By nature, the jungle cat has excellent health. To maintain it in the norm, you need high-quality nutrition and the ability to lead an active lifestyle. Due to the fact that the jungle cat is very mobile and weighs a lot, it is necessary to regularly check the condition of its joints, and it is also necessary to get it vaccinated. Only healthy animals are vaccinated. Before vaccination, you should rid the cat of worms or carry out preventive treatment. At the age of three months, vaccinations are made against herpesvirus infection, panleukopenia, and calicivirus. In the future, repeated vaccination is carried out. Vaccinations are given annually in accordance with medical recommendations. Don't forget about the rabies vaccine. Every six months the chaus must be shown to the veterinarian. The life span of a chaus in the wild is about 14 years, in captivity - 15 - 20 years.

Meat is the main food of the jungle cat

Acquisition of a jungle cat

The cost of a "chaus" kitten ranges from 200 to 500 thousand rubles, and some specimens reach up to 1 million rubles. It is necessary to buy only a kitten at the age of 3 months, born in captivity and always in the cattery. These kittens are quickly and easily tamed. Do not buy adult animals: they will never get used to you. In no case should you buy kittens on the black market: here, mainly, animals caught in the wild are sold. Such cats are practically impossible to train and are very dangerous. The sale must be accompanied by the issuance of a contract and a certificate. Otherwise, you are breaking the law. Even if you buy a kitten that was born at home, there is a high probability that instead of a “pure” representative of the species, you will get a mixture of a jungle cat with an Abyssinian cat (“chausi”). Chausie is more of a pet, but if you want chaus, then it will not be very pleasant to be deceived, given the price of the kitten. Another danger of buying a kitten on the black market is that you end up with a sick, unvaccinated animal. The catteries that breed the jungle cat are mainly located in the United States. There are few of them not only in the CIS, but also in Europe. However, recently in Russia (Moscow, Saratov), Ukraine (Kiev) and Belarus (Minsk) new nurseries began to appear,who will pick up a kitten for you, give recommendations on the content and issue the necessary documents.

Reviews of the jungle cat

Reviews of people who have seen a jungle cat indicate that this representative of the wild is quite dangerous if it is inept and careless with it. If you do decide to get a jungle cat, then you must strictly follow the recommendations for buying, raising and keeping this animal. If you are not ready, but really want to have a chaus, then you can buy chausi.

Jungle cats are a clear proof that the world of felines is beautiful and amazing. Power, beauty and strength, combined with intelligence, curiosity, sociability, allow us to treat these representatives of the animal world with love and admiration. The acquired knowledge of the characteristics of behavior, habits, rules of feeding and care will make it possible to fully enjoy communicating with them, keep your pet healthy and make a reliable friend for many years.