Jungle Cat: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Wild Cats · day 4 of 7

Five facts

1. It loves thick reeds and tall grass, which is why people also call it the reed cat or the swamp cat.
2. Unlike many cats, it is happy in water. It can swim as far as 1.5 km and dives in to catch fish.
3. Like the caracal, it can spring high into the air once or twice to snatch a bird in flight.
4. It is mostly a meat-eater, yet it also snacks on fruit, especially in winter. That is unusual for a cat.
5. When threatened, it lets out sounds like small roars before it fights back, something rare among its close cousins.

The quiz

1. What other names does the jungle cat go by?

• Snow cat
• Reed cat or swamp cat (correct)
• Cliff cat
• Cloud cat

It lives among reeds and tall grass, so people call it reed cat or swamp cat.

2. How far can a jungle cat swim?

• Up to 1.5 km (correct)
• It cannot swim at all
• Only 1 or 2 m
• Across a whole sea

It is a strong swimmer that can cover up to 1.5 km and dive for fish.

3. How does a jungle cat catch birds, like the caracal?

• It waits under the water
• It digs a pit trap
• It leaps high into the air (correct)
• It mimics bird calls

It can make one or two high jumps to grab a bird.

4. What unusual food does the jungle cat eat, especially in winter?

• Tree bark
• Seaweed
• Honey
• Fruit (correct)

It is partly omnivorous and eats fruit, especially in winter.

5. What does a jungle cat do when it meets a threat?

• Plays dead
• Makes sounds like small roars (correct)
• Hides underwater for hours
• Climbs to the treetops and stays silent

It calls out with small roar-like sounds before it attacks.

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