Another cute little Thai cat



Science Name : Felis chaus
General Characteristics : Jungle cats look like domestic cats. But its size is a bit bigger and limbs are a bit longer. It ears point straight up. Hair on its ears tips is tuft and black in color. Lower part of its ears is orange-yellow in color. The coat on its belly is light and almost white. There is no markings on its body. But it has some markings on limbs. Its tail is straight with black ring and quite short.

Habitat / Food : It is found in general in Asia from triangular area of Voga River in Russia to Palestine, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indochina. In Thailand, it is found in all parts except middle part. It stays in forests that are not so dense.It eats small animals such as rats, rabbits, chameleons, frogs, small green frogs, birds, and carcasses left by big tigers. The most prefer is rabbits. Thus, this cat is also called “rabbit tiger”. Its sound is similar to that of domestic cat.

Behavior / Mating : Jungle cat or rabbit tiger likes to stay in sparse forests with tall trees or grove forests. It resides in dense shrubs and does not like climbing trees. It prefers hunting during daytime rather than nighttime. It is mature and ready for mating at the age of 2 years. Breeding season is uncertain. Gestation period is around 66 days. One litter contains 2 – 4 young. It can give births twice a year. It gives birth in nearby soil hollow or beneath big trees or dense shrub. It can live for up to 10 years.

Current Status : It is a protected animal of Thailand under Thai Wildlife Protection Act B.E. 2535.

Visiting Location : Kao Kheow Open Zoo, Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, Chiang Mai Zoo, Song Khla Zoo




Wild Cats of Thailand