The Jungle Cat, Felis chaus, contrary to its name lives primarily in the grasslands but is at home in the jungles of Asia as well. It is one of the larger members of the Felis genus.
Indian Cats
India is a subcontinent with a vast variety of landscapes, offering an expansive range of habitats. These multitude of habitats provide homes to all 15 cat species that are part of the Indian fauna. Each species of cat is of importance to its own ecosystems by keeping the populations of its prey animals healthy.
Species of Indian Cats
Leopard
Leopards are one of the best known cats, but quite difficult to find. Often all you will see is a glimpse of them as the disappear off into the bushes. They are though quite widespread and with luck you will see one of these beautiful cats on safari.
Leopard Cat
The leopard cat is widely spread in Southern Asia, and thus the most likely to be found. The leopard cat is a small cat, and has a vast variety of habitats.
Lion
Lions are the iconic big cat. We all know what they looks like. Its social structure of living in prides is unique among cats. Their majestic appearance is emphasized by the mane of the males.
Marbled Cat
The mysterious marbled cat lives throughout Southeast Asia but the highest chance of seeing one, appears to be Borneo. Despite its similar appearance it is not closely related to the clouded leopards.
Flat-Headed Cat
The Flat-headed Cat is native to Malaysia and Indonesia. It is a very rare cat and difficult to spot in the wild. It fills much of the same niche as the Fishing Cat.
Fishing Cat
The Fishing Cat is, as its name implies, an excellent fisher. Living in the wetland areas of Southern Asia, fish is its preferred food source but the cat still eats plenty of small mammals and reptiles as well. Sri Lanka is a great place to see one in the wild.
Eurasian Lynx
Despite being widespread across the Eurasian Continent the Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx) is rarely seen. While numbers are recovering, it is even rarer rare in Western Europe.
Pallas’ Cat
The Pallas’ Cat is well known from zoo animals in the US Midwest. They like to frolic in the snow. On the other hand, in the wild they tend to avoid places with deep lying snow though they do live in the freezing cold of Tibet and Mongolia.
Rusty-Spotted Cat
One of the smallest of the cats the Rusty-spotted Cat is also one of the most active. However, given its habitat in the jungles of Sri Lanka and India, it is rarely seen.
Snow Leopard
One of the most elusive of the cats, the snow leopard is found mostly on the Tibetan plateau. Improvements in infrastructure in its habitat makes the cat more accessible than ever and the need to protect it even more urgent.
Caracal
One of the most beautiful cats, the Caracal (caracal caracal) is more than just a pretty face. It is supremely adaptable and is known for its extreme jumping capability.
Tiger
The Tiger needs no introduction. The largest of the cat family is found throughout Asia but the majority of the population is found in India. The conservation efforts of the last years have been most successful in India where some of the national parks are ‘overflowing’ with tigers.
Wildcat
The Wildcat is one of the most widespread of the cat family. It can be fround from Scotland to South Africa and across into Asia. There are three subspecies, the European, Asian and African, which is the descendant of the domestic cat.
Asiatic Golden Cat
Discover the elusive Asiatic Golden Cat (Catopuma temminckii), a remarkable and solitary feline thriving in the dense forests of Southeast Asia. Known for its stunning golden coat and diverse color morphs, this secretive cat plays a crucial role in its ecosystem.
India is separated from the rest of Asia by the Himalayas to the north, the mountains and jungles of Myanmar to the west and the desert of Pakistan to the east. Due to these barriers, many animals developed subspecies that are only found here. One example is the Bengal Tiger, which is not its own species.
The Big Five vs the Small Five Animals
The Small Five Animals Everybody who dreams of an African Safari knows all about the Big Five. During the early years of African exploration by white colonists, they encountered five animals that were almost mythological in their difficulty to hunt. Of course, today,...
Eight of the Best National Parks for Wildlife
Embark on a journey into the heart of the wild, where untamed beauty and the pulse of nature weave together in a tapestry that spans continents. From the vast, open savannas where the Earth stretches out to touch the sky to the dense, ancient forests where the air is...
Ten Amazing Wildlife Spectacles
There is wildlife everywhere on our beautiful planet. However, in our modern world, it is becoming increasingly difficult to see wild animals up close. In many areas, wildlife has been decimated by damaging agricultural practices, poor governance, and simply...