Source: TH
Subject: Species in News
Context: A comprehensive new study published in Scientific Reports has established the first national population baseline for the jungle cat (Felis chaus) in India, estimating their numbers between 1.57 lakh and 4.59 lakh
About Jungle Cat:
What it is?
- The jungle cat, also known as the reed cat or swamp cat, is a medium-sized wild cat native to the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and southern China. Despite its name, it is not a resident of jungles or dense rainforests, but rather prefers open, well-watered environments.
Habitat:
- Preferred Environment: They avoid dense forests and heavily modified urban landscapes, preferring wetlands, grasslands, and semi-arid regions.
- Agro-pastoral Landscapes: They are frequently found in agricultural fields and farms, where they have adapted to live alongside human activity.
- Geographic Range: In India, major populations are found in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Odisha.
IUCN Status:
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
- Status in India: Protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Key Characteristics:
- Physical Appearance: They have a distinctive white muzzle, yellow irises, and long legs that often feature faint horizontal stripes.
- Large Tufted Ears: Their ears are notably large and end in small black tufts, similar to a lynx, which helps in detecting the subtle movements of prey.
- Nocturnal & Secretive: They are primarily active at night and are notoriously difficult to study due to their shy and elusive nature.
- Diurnal Flexibility: Unlike many other small cats, they are occasionally active during the day to hunt, especially in areas with low human interference.
- Adaptive Hunters: They are strong swimmers and have been known to dive into water to catch fish, though their primary diet consists of small rodents and birds.
Significance:
- By residing in and around farms, jungle cats hunt rodents that destroy crops. This provides a vital ecosystem service to farmers, acting as a biological shield for agriculture.
- Their presence indicates the health of Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs), which are often overlooked in conservation policies compared to dense forests.
