Reed cat: wild and domestic house 🐆

The fascinating reed cat, also known as the jungle cat, can be kept as a domestic pet in addition to living in the wild. Animal lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike are drawn to this feline due to its sleek, powerful build and distinctive features.

The reed cat has both domestic potential and wild instincts, despite having a appearance that could be mistaken for a small leopard or wildcat. Although its native range is quite large, some individuals have managed to domesticate and bring them into their homes.

This article discusses the traits of reed cats, how they behave in the wild, and what to anticipate if you choose to keep one as a pet. Continue reading to discover more about these fascinating animals, whether you’re interested in adopting one for your home or are just inquiring about their way of life.

Feature	Description
Origin	The reed cat, also known as the jungle cat, is native to Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.
Wild Habits	In the wild, reed cats are skilled hunters and prefer to stay near water.
Domestication	Though rare, some people have domesticated reed cats, but they retain strong wild instincts.
Size	They are larger than most domestic cats, with long legs and a lean body.
Diet	In the wild, they feed on small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Behavior	Reed cats are independent and can be aggressive, making them less suited for typical home environments.

Description of reed cats

Ten subspecies of predators can currently be found in their natural habitat in the Nile River Valley, the Kashmir region, the Caucasus (home of the Caucasian Kamyshka Cat), Indochina, South and Northern India, Pakistan, and O O O O O Sri Lanka.

So how can you spot the "very" cat in a wild animal that you come across?

The reed cat breed shares tiny tassels on the tips of its ears with the lynx. The environment has a significant impact on the coat’s color; the primary tones of the fur coat are brown, gray, and brown in a variety of combinations. Along the spine, a red stripe is frequently visible. The chin and groin region are whitish-yellow, while the ears, forehead, and occipital region of the head are likewise reddish. There is a tip and black rings on the gray tail. Kittens born prematurely will have full stripes.

Gray-yellow in color, brothers originate from Central Asia and northern Africa; nature has ensured that the predator melds in with the surroundings. Reddish-brown cats are found in South Asia. Naturalist Johann Anton Güldenstedt wrote the first description of the House breed in 1776 after observing a large, powerful cat with rounded ears that resembled lynxes and tassels. The animal has a long, thin muzzle with dark patches near the nose and whitish markings close to the eyes. It’s interesting to note that a wild cat’s tail is only one-third the length of its head and body, far shorter than that of a typical domestic cat.

Reed cats typically have a lifespan of 14 years.

Size and weight of reed cats

Reed kittens are large even when they are very young. They weigh roughly 136 g at birth and continue to grow, gaining 20–22 g every day.

The average adult cat is not as large as a wild representative of the species, which weighs 12 to 16 kg.Domestic cats of the reed breed are much smaller, weighing 6 to 12 kg. Women appear less bulky and weigh less than men do. Habitat has an impact on weight as well; cats in western Israel weigh nearly half as much as those in India. Most likely, a factor is the competition between people for the ability to survive.

These elegant cats grow to be between 100 and 120 cm long and between 50 and 70 cm tall at the withers. Given that the animal’s legs are long, robust, and sturdy, the difference between it and a typical pet will be even more apparent.

Character of the House

Since the wild swamp lynx is a fish lover, water love runs in the family. After all, how else could such a strong, beautiful creature indulge in her favorite food? Water also purges the animal’s skin of debris and odors at the same time.

It is worthwhile to spend some time observing the animal since it will become evident right away that it is a bright, curious, and incredibly hardworking creature. The House is a great choice for those who wish to train their pet because it is very simple to train, responds to commands with curiosity, and gets along with other four-legged residents.

Although it is unlikely that you will grow tired of such a pet, you should be aware that this cat will never fully adapt to domestic life because it is inherently wild.

The lifestyle of the swamp lynx

It’s obvious from the name alone that the wild cat house does not like trees. It only ascends higher when there is an immediate danger. In the wild, the animal does not think it is necessary to "build" housing with its paws; instead, it chooses to live in the burrows of other animals. The creature will contentedly take a nap on a crushed reed. However, cats rarely stay in one burrow for very long; instead, they frequently move.

When nightfall arrives, the cat’s physical cues come into play and hunting can commence. The animal has excellent hearing, smell, and jumping skills. Its ability to swim greatly aids in its attempt to reach its prey.

Male reed cats are only interested in females during the breeding season; they prefer to live solitary lives.

Reed cats in the food chain

The function of the house in the food chain is poorly understood. In both domestic and wild settings, they serve as both parasite hunters and carriers.

What does a jungle cat eat

The animal can hunt both during the day and at night in order to obtain food. A rodent or a gaping bird appears in the cat’s claws and teeth after it has been sitting in ambush for a while without revealing its presence.

The reed lynx will gladly consume a hare as well as a reptile, and it has no shame in catching and devouring a domestic chicken or goose. When hunting birds, the animal first spends a considerable amount of time hiding among the reed thickets. After determining by ear where the flock has made its home, it skillfully leaps out and seizes its prey.

Enemies

Predators like wolves and leopards were the wild jungle cat’s first adversaries. But as agriculture advanced, man gradually found himself on the enemy list as well. He started wiping out cats because of their ruthless predation of domestic birds. The threats listed above are sufficient to lower the number of cats, but there are no additional significant threats to the population.

The Reed cat, sometimes called the jungle cat, is an interesting cross between domestic and wild characteristics. Although it looks and behaves like a wild cat, some people have succeeded in domesticating them to make interesting house pets. Reed cats are a good option for seasoned cat owners seeking a challenge and a connection with a genuinely unique feline, but they do require special care and an appreciation of their wild nature.

Reproduction of reed lynxes and care of offspring

Male reed cats start to cry loudly at the end of February and the beginning of March, indicating that it’s time to give birth to new kittens, so you need to draw in a female. It is not a good idea to try to take a closer look at the animal at this point because it can become aggressive and turn on a person.

It takes 53–66 days to produce 2–5 blind cubs. The female makes a den for them, heating it with her fur and dry grass. The den is typically found in areas that are extremely difficult for enemies to access. Males typically stay with the newly formed family for a while.

At six months, a marsh kitten gains independence, but it stays with its mother for a considerable amount of time.

Statistics show that there are more male births than female births.

Habitat of reed cats

I’m curious about the existence of this stunning animal in the wild and if it occurs in Russia. Such a miracle is still present in the Volga Delta area and on the Caspian Sea’s western coast. The Astrakhan Nature Reserve was once home to the swamp cat, which was frequently spotted there. However, no evidence of the feline has been found in the area for nearly 30 years, which is why it is listed in the Red Book.

Nowadays, the best places to find an animal in its natural habitat are the Russian Caspian regions, the Amu Darya River thicket, and the Caucasus regions. In Asian and African countries, haus cats are still in existence. Not everyone who wants to will be fortunate enough to see them because they are not that keen to meet someone. It is inconvenient for a person to pass where there is a possibility of encountering a swamp cat. These are moist forests full of prickly bushes, thickets of reed. Though these cats do not reside in open areas, their preferred locations can be described as reservoirs overgrown with sedge.

The cold season and human population decline are the main causes of the gradual decline in swamp cat populations. The thin and sparse fur coat of any subspecies of this cat makes it vulnerable. Animal populations that require warmth are also negatively impacted by snow cover and cold. However, in addition to hunting, humans also have an indirect impact on the population of these animals because they actively burn, mow, drain reservoirs, and shave forests, which reduces the amount of reed habitat in floodplains and reduces the number of swamp cats.

Reed cat at home

There will be no sense in trying to dissuade people who want to bring a wild animal into the house. It is preferable to discuss how to handle a domestic jungle cat.

People who appreciate their surroundings won’t enjoy having such an unrestrained and active creature at home because everything in its proper place will be gnawed, turned over, or torn off. It is preferable to provide an animal kept at home environments that are similar to those found in the wild, such as setting up an enclosure with a pond.

What is the daily routine of a domestic cat (jungle)? hurries around the rooms, leaping like the wind and landing on the owner’s feet from around the corner. Then, it bolts off, vanishing beneath the closet like it’s in a secret lair. In order to keep the animal from taking over the house, it is raised from a young age and simultaneously trained to use a litter box and a scratching post. The Hausa will need to be fed live food in order to satiate their innate need for hunting.

Buy a reed cat kitten

Since no nurseries are selling reed kittens in Russia, it is unlikely that anyone will be able to purchase a swamp lynx there. Of course, you can find an advertisement on a website purporting to be selling a reed kitten, but is it really one, considering that you can purchase a regular yard cat for a ridiculous amount of money?

If you have an intense desire to purchase a Hausa, you shouldn’t rely on unreliable black market sources that can’t verify the breed’s purity or the animal’s health. Furthermore, you shouldn’t even hold out hope that a cat taken from the wild by poachers will ever become domesticated because it was never raised in a nursery or in an enclosure.

A reed kitten will cost between $3 and $8 thousand, so a lower price should raise red flags for potential buyers.

Reed cat hybrid breeds

Given the numerous reasons why purchasing a real reed lynx for your house is challenging, you may want to look into purchasing hybrids of an Abyssinian and wild cat. Cats bearing the name Chausie or Housey are produced as a result of crossing. The first generation hybrid, Chausie f1, will have a harsher temperament than the subsequent generations.

A housey cat’s exotic look and amiable nature make it ideal for apartment living. Since its official recognition in 2003, the breed has gained a lot of supporters. We can now own a pet at home that has the appearance of a wild cat and the placid, friendly disposition of an Abyssinian, all thanks to the work on crossing.

Fascinating creatures, reed cats combine elements of the wild spirit of nature with traits appropriate for domestic life. They are unlike other domestic or wild cats due to their distinct look and powerful personalities.

But not everyone is suited to be a reed cat owner. They need a lot of room, particular attention, and an owner who is aware of their needs. A reed cat can make a special companion for those who can meet these requirements.

Reed cats serve as a poignant reminder of the close bond that exists between the natural world and the creatures we coexist with, regardless of your interest in them for their untamed beauty or as a possible pet.

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