Jungle Cat

Category: Environment & Biodiversity

  • Scientific name: Felis chaus.
  • Family: Felidae.
  • Also known as reed cat/swamp cat.
  • It has a broad distribution across South Asia and parts of West/Central and Southeast Asia.
  • In India, it occurs in habitats ranging from scrub and grasslands to forests, wetlands and agricultural landscapes.
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC).
  • Under India's wildlife protection framework, it is listed under Schedule II.
  • Major threats include habitat loss, road mortality, persecution and poaching.
  • Unlike its name suggests, the Jungle Cat is not restricted to dense forests; it commonly uses open habitats and wetlands.

Prelims Pointers: Scientific name → Felis chaus | Family → Felidae | IUCN → Least Concern | Indian legal protection → Schedule II.