Jungle cat (Felis chaus)

Jungle Cat

The Jungle cat (Felis chaus) is a close relative of domestic cat. Although wide spread and common at most of its distribution range it is difficult to see due to its camouflage and habit. With pale grey brown to tawny brown fur, dark rings on tail and distinctive tufts on ears it can be differentiated with domestic and other cat species. It was thought to be a member of Lynx family earlier and at times even called Jungle Lynx.

Jungle Cat in search of prey sits well camoufledged in tall grass
Taken at - Kanha National Park

Characteristics

With slender face, tuft on the ears, short tail and long legs Jungle cat is largest species of Felis genus. Fur colour varies as per region and sub species from yellowish grey, reddish brown, pale grey brown or tawny brown with black spots and visible black bars on tail and legs. Somewhat larger than domestic cats standing around 37 to 50 inches long (including tails) and 14 inches tall they weigh around 8 – 10 Kgs. Females are slightly shorter than males. Its tufted ears are long and pointed towards the end set fairly high on the head.

Distribution and habitat

Range: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mongolia, Burma, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.

The jungle cat, can be found in variety of environment but prefers habitat with dense vegetative cover, especially reed swamps, marshes, grass lands and oasis in deserts with availability of water being an important factor. They have been observed to have adapted well to irrigated cultivation throughout their range and can be seen in jungles or open country in the neighborhood of villages. They can be found from sea level to an altitude of 8000 ft in Himalayas.

 

 

Ecology, behavior and Food

The Jungle Cat is a carnivore and preys on small animals mainly hares, ground birds, snakes, lizards, squirrels, frogs, etc. Although mainly nocturnal they hunt during both day and night and in winters mostly in early morning as well as late afternoon. They maintain their territory by urine spraying and scent marking and hunt by ambushing and stalking their prey from behind tall grass cover or reeds and catching them with a final pounce. Most of its preys are small in size say less than a kilo in weight but it has been seen killing chital fawns, young of other animals, water birds and scavenge on other animals kills at times. Solitary in nature they use abandoned burrows, tree holes, and coves or dense vegetation to rest and can be seen sun bathing in winters.

Their most common predators include crocodiles, bears, wolves, Jackals, and other larger felines such as tigers and leopards. When countered by a threat, the jungle cat will produce small roars before attacking. They have been seen jumping on attacker trying to catch from the larynx if threatened. There have been known cases of jungle cats attacking probing humans near their kittens. They can swim well and walk up to 3 Km’s at a stretch. They have been known to live for 16 – 20 years in the wild.

Reproduction

Females give birth to litters of three to five kittens, usually only three and have been seen raising two litters in a year although rarely. Gestation lasts 63–66 days; birth generally takes place between December and April, depending on the local climate. Kittens are weaned generally after 100 days.  Before birth, the mother prepares a den in an abandoned burrow, hollow tree, or grass / reed bed. Although Jungle Cats do not give birth to young once around human habitation but the author noted in December 2012 that it had given birth to kittens at KanhaVillage Eco Resort, Kanha National Park which shows that if local habitat is left undisturbed and it feels safe Jungle cats do not hesitate to use inhabited places.

Kittens weigh 80 to 160 grams at birth, initially blind and helpless. They open their eyes at ten to thirteen days of age. Raising the kittens is female’s job but males have been seen to be very protective of their offspring. Kittens start catching their own prey at roughly six months, and leave the mother after a couple of months.

Threats

Some populations of jungle cat subspecies are declining in several countries and areas due to decline in habitat and poaching.

Conservation

Jungle Cat - Felis chaus is listed on CITES Appendix II and its hunting is prohibited in Bangladesh, China, India, Israel, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Thailand, and Turkey but it does not get enough protection.

Where to see:

In India Kanha National Park is one of the best places to see this beautiful animal along with Ranthambhore, Pench, Sariska, Panna, etc.

 

Tiger & Wildlife Photography Package for Kanha

Shutterbug Nature Tour

5 Nights / 6 Days

Kanha Tiger Reserve is well known for its bio diversity, dense forests of Sal and Bamboo, Meadows and water bodies. It is famous for having a glimpse of the King of the Forest – Tiger and Jewel of Kanha - Hard Ground Barasingha, the twelve tined deer. Landscape falls in the path of migratory birds which is an added advantage for birders as more than 290 species of birds can be seen here. With 117 known Butterflies species, thousands of insects and other big and small one fill this bio diversity hot spot which is a nature lover’s paradise. Kanha National Park is known as paradise for wildlife photographers and nature lovers and some world famous photographers visit this natural heritage of India on regular basis.

Day 01

Kanha (L, D) Jungle walk: 1 Evening

Welcome on arrival at Kanha Village Eco Resort, Kanha National Park and check in at the resort. After an introduction session with lunch we take some rest before we go for our first Jungle walk for Bird watching in the buffer zone of Kanha National Park. We may also see Spotted Deer, Sambhar deer, Barking Deer, Foxes, Jackals, Hyena, etc., Around Dinner time we will have discussion / orientation session where we will discuss about the rich bio diversity of central India.

Day 02

Kanha (B, L, D), Safari: 1 Morning, 1 Evening

Morning safari drive in the national park will enable us to see those animals and birds which prefer dense forested areas and least human disturbance. Here we will be able to see the King – Tiger with other denizens of the jungle. Enjoy packed breakfast in the forest. After return from the park, freshen up, relax for an hour and have lunch.

Evening we go for our second safari in the core area where we will be able to see our flying friends and other animals like Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Dhole, Gaur, etc., Water bodies in the area are a big advantage for us as many animals and birds can be seen in the vicinity. Tiger, Leopard, Jungle cats and other carnivores prefer to move in the dusk preparing to make a kill and give us a chance to shoot them with our camera. At the resort we will discuss about taking better photographs and how to improve on our photography skills.

Day 03

Kanha (B, L, D), Safari: 1 Morning, 1 Evening

Morning and Evening safari drives in another zone with different habitation will enable us to see birds which prefer Meadows to dense forest areas. Here we will also get a chance to see Blue Bull, Hard Ground Barasingha, Sloth Bear, Tiger and Leopard along with other wild animals. Abundance of bird life along with mammals is an advantage and chances of clicking an award winning photograph always present so keep yourself forever ready with your gear as any moment lost means waiting for time unknown for same type of image. At night we will discuss about photographs taken and opportunities available after Dinner.

Day 04

Kanha (B, L, D), Safari: 1 Morning, Jungle walk: 1 Evening

Mornings in Kanha are always bit cold due to Sal forest and a drive in is always pleasing. With packed breakfast we go on open 4x4 Gypsy looking for the beautiful creations of God around the numerous water bodies and roads. Just keep your eyes open and remain on a watch for that perfect moment to capture. Evening we take a Jungle walk in the buffer zone on lookout of some of our feathered friends who prefer dusk time and other denizens of the forests.

Day 05

Kanha (B, L, D), Safari: 1 Morning, 1 Evening

Today we will have a morning safari at Kanha national park, yes, as you thought chances of seeing Tiger, Gaur, Sambhar, Barking deer and other small and big mammals is there. Remember patience and perfect understanding of wild animals is very important for any wildlife photographer.

Evening, keeping in mind those flying friends we have missed out and mammals which have been elusive till now we will and try to cover them all in our last safari of the tour.

Day 06

Kanha (B)

After a relaxed sleep we meet in the morning for breakfast at restaurant in the resort. Today is the end of present trip to Kanha and we leave for home with beautiful memories and stock of photographs of mammals and birds of central India.

Net Price per person: (On twin sharing basis)

For Indian Tourists: Cottage: 22,299/- Standard: 14,999/-

For Foreign Tourists: (Ask for Special Rates)

· Package is valid between:

§ Group 1: 19^thMay 2013 – 24^th May 2013.

§ Group 2: 03rd June 2013– 08^th June 2013.

Check following link for further details:

http://www.kanhavillage.com/package-shutterbug-nature-tour

Butterflying in Kanha

 

With more than 18,000 species of butterflies in the world, India is known to have 1501+ species. Today butterfly watching has become a major hobby for many and information about these beautiful insect is available from books and online through net. We can see 140+ butterflies in forests of Central India. Butterflies can be seen in open grasslands, thick forests, bushes and especially around flowers and water bodies.

Butterfly fall under insect order Lepidoptera, have 4 wings, 6 legs, 3 parted main body comprising of head, thorax and abdomen, compound eyes, exo skeleton and a pair of antennae. They are classified into two Super families: Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea. It is a pleasure to see these beautiful creations of god.

Kanha  National Park is a very good place to observe and study butterflies with more than 115 species listed till now although Satpuda / Panchmarhi area is known to have more than 130 species and is more famous for watching these silent flyers. Kanha Village Eco Resort has planted host plants which help to attract native butterflies species to lay eggs. They also have spots with flowers, grassland, trees and shrubs which act as perfect hosts for our colored friends once they start flying making their property a hot spot for butterflies and their predators spiders and birds.

 

If you are interested in photographing butterflies or are interested in studying them do remember to carry a binocular and good guide book on butterflies of Central India and for photography a good macro lens with flash and light tripod or monopod. Butterflies can be seen in all the seasons  but late June onwards till early December is one of the best time to see them.

Here is a small list of Butterflies found in Tiger reserves of Central India. Full list of Butterflies found in Central India can be checked at Kanha Village Eco Resort's website.

1) Swallowtails (Common Rose, Pachliopta arstolochiae, Crimson Rose, Pachliopta hector, Common Mime , Papilio clytia, Lime Butterfly, Papilio demoleus, Common Mormon ,Papilio polytes),

2) Whites & Yellows (Common Jezebel, Delias eucharis, Yellow Orange Tip, lxias pyrene, Lemon Emigrant , Catopsilia crocale , Common Grass Yellow, Eurema hecabe, Small Grass Yellow, Eurema brigitta, rubella

3) Blues (Zebra Blue , Leptotes plinius, Pale Grass Blue , Pseudoziziria maha, Gram Blue , Euchrysops Cnejus, Common Silverline , Spindasis vulcanus, Plum Judy , Abisara echerius),

4) Milkweed butterflies (Plain Tiger , Danaus chrysippus, Common Tiger, Danaus genutia, Glassy Tiger, Parantica aglea, Indian Common Crow , Euploea core) ;

5) Browns (Common Evening Brown, Melanites leda, is meme Dark Evening Brown, Melanitis phedima)) ;

6.) Nymph Lids (Angled Castor, Ariadne ariadne, Common Castor , Ariadne merione , Common Leopard , Phalanta phalantha, Lemon Pansy , Junonia lemonia, Yellow Pansy , Junonia hiertas, Peacock Pansy, Junonia almanac, Chocolate Pansy, Precis iphita, Blue Pansy ,Junonia orithya, Grey Pansy, Junonia atlites, Danaid Eggfly, Hylpolimnas missipus, Orange Oakleaf , Kallima inachus, Common Sailor ,Neptis hylas, varmona, Baronet, Euthalia nais Synphaedra nais, Tawny Coster ,Acraea violated.

7) Skipers (Indian Grass Demon , Edaspes folcus).

 

Kanha and my experiences

Mr. Sanjeev Kulhalli has spent more than 20 years at Kanha starting as Manager of one the resorts. We had been asking him to write down his experiences of Kanha National Park which we always hear, stories which make us jealous at times on his good luck to have spent a major part of his life at a place he loves so much. Finally here is something for all - one of his anecdote which I am sure all will cherish.

After spending close to two decades in Kanha I am frequently asked about exciting encounters or experiences with tigers or other wild animals, there have been so many that it would be impossible to pen down even a fraction of the entire collection in a single sitting. It was late in the morning after breaking our fast at Kanha museum we were on Schaller’s hide road when suddenly chital's alarm calls erupted from all over and from the circular road grasslands emerged a pack of 14 wild dogs who successfully brought down an adult chital hind, while all this was going on I was frantically trying to draw the attention of my clients who were near the barasingha enclosure in a another jeep, By the time they covered the intervening 800 meters there was nothing left of the deer ! gory! may be, brutal may be !BUT VERY REAL!!! Unfortunately that is how the wild dogs hunt.

Wild Animals at Kanha National Park. (Here we see Wild Dog, Peacock and Tiger, Photographs by Navneet Maheshwari.)

It was Christmas eve on 24th Dec. in the mid 1990'sand I was on link 7 road trying to escape the crowd as there was no restriction on the number of vehicles then, As I reached a cluster of the Indian Ghost tree ( sterculia urens) I stopped to explain the trees to my clients, When we restarted we had to cross a patch of van rahar ( a wild shrub ) and bamboo for a few hundred meters, as we turned a bend, I thought I glimpsed something streaking past at a distance I wasn’t sure what It was, the very alert guide Vinay kumar and my Jeep driver Ganesh not having reacted at all gave me the impression that perhaps I had imagined it, Never the less, I stopped the vehicle and after waiting and looking around for 2-3 minutes, I asked Ganesh to go another 20-30 metres and stop, All of us i.e. 4 clients, guide, driver and myself were trying to look beyond the bushes when with a fearful whisper Ganesh pointed from beside my right side and he was looking down and left and lo behold this tigress with a snarl on her face, her udder engorged with her belly facing us let out a thunderous roar and sprang about 3 meters vertically in the air when she landed back on the shrubs and leaves disappearing magically moaning loudly about the invasion on her privacy, We did feel guilty about disturbing her albeit unintentionally, the entire experience was exhilarating and unforgettable.

It has been a privilege working in one of the Best Tiger reserves in the country, may Kanha continue to excel in management, commitment, discipline and its glorious sightings of Fauna & flora. May it continue to lead the way in conservation.


Sanjeev Kulhalli


Mr. Sanjeev Kulhalli is presently stationed as Resident Director of Kanha Village Eco Resort at Kanha National Park.

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