Mammals
Jungle Cat
Felis chaus · also called swamp cat, reed cat
Stalking through a stand of tall reeds at the edge of a marsh, a jungle cat looks nothing like a jungle animal, a long-legged, sandy-coated wetland hunter whose relatives were once mummified on the Nile.
Overview
The jungle cat, Felis chaus, is a Least Concern wild cat native to wetland and grassland habitat from Egypt through the Middle East and South Asia to Southeast Asia. Its plain coat, lanky build, and love of reed beds make it a distinctive and widespread wetland cat despite its misleading name.
A name that points to the wrong habitat
The jungle cat is far more at home in marshes and reed beds than in jungle, which is why many people call it the swamp cat or reed cat instead.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across its large range, though wetland loss is a concern in places.
Jungle Cat: common questions
Why is it called the jungle cat if it likes wetlands?
The name is misleading; it favours reed beds, marshes, and river margins rather than dense jungle, which is why it is also called the swamp cat.
What does a jungle cat look like?
It has a plain sandy-brown to grey coat, long legs, a lanky build, and black tufts on its ears, with faint bars on the legs and tail.
Did ancient Egyptians mummify jungle cats?
Yes, jungle cat remains have been found among the mummified cats of ancient Egypt.
Where is the jungle cat found?
It is native to wetland and grassland habitat from Egypt and the Middle East through South Asia into Southeast Asia.