By Omer Ashraf
A medium sized wild cat of the Northern Hemisphere, lynx is a beautiful and elusive feline. Classified into four subspecies in lines of its appearance and distribution, it is seen in a number of countries of Europe, Asia and North America. A large wild cat, it weighs in the range of thirty to seventy pounds, with the size varying across the subspecies.
The word 'lynx' is Greek is origin and means 'to shine' - a possible reference to the cat's bright eyes. Other characteristic features include large paws that assist in walking on snow and a short tail. Neck has a thick ruff of hair around it and ears are tipped by black ear tufts. Whiskers are usually long and prominent. Coloration varies with habitat and is usually brownish gray, with the fur often being spotted on limbs.
An inhabitant of mountains and dense forests, lynx usually lives in thick shrubs and bush. Capable of an arboreal and aquatic style of hunting, it usually stalks and ambushes its prey on the ground. Co-operative hunting has been observed between mother and kittens and prey of various size are brought down in this manner, ranging from hare, rodents, fish, birds, sheep, goat and deer to reindeer. Sight and hearing is usually employed to close in to prey, rather than scent. Lynx prefers to ambush and pounce upon its prey from a close distance, like a leopard, rather than sprint after it like the cheetah.
Largely a solitary and reclusive cat, lynx usually mates in winter and a litter of up to four kittens are born yearly. Independence is reached at nearly one year of age. Owing to their shy lifestyle these cats seldom are seen in the wild and rarely come in contact with humans. Attacks on humans are very rare and are usually in a defensive rather than offensive intent.
Lynx faces a variety of threats in the wild including habitat encroachment and poaching for fur. It is considered endangered in certain portions of its territory, with hunting and trade in its body parts illegal in many countries. There is some hope for the future though, with recent increase in sightings and evidence of reduction in the number of pelts traded annually.
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on lynx.
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African Wild Cat
By Omer Ashraf
The African Wild Cat, also known as African Desert Cat, appears to have evolved as a unique specie many thousands of years ago. Its coloration varies from sandy yellow to gray as it ranges from arid to forested habitats. Body length is around one half to three quarters of a meter with weight ranging from five to fifteen pounds. Fur is short and marked by tabby-like spots and stripes. Tail is somewhat pointed and fur behind the ears has a certain reddish shade.
Primarily a nocturnal hunter, crepuscular activity is often recorded in territories uninhabited by humans. Hunting is through the stalk and ambush method. Small mammals including rodents and mice are generally taken, along with reptiles, insects and birds. Males are territorial and protective of their domain, that often includes ranges of a number of females.
Highly adaptable, the wild cat, Felis Silvestris Lybica, is seen in a variety of habitats including bush country and plains. The geographical range includes large parts of Africa excluding the rainforests of Central Africa and some of the extreme regions of the Sahara desert. It is also recorded in certain coastal areas of the Middle East. A number of subspecies (ten to fifteen) are recognized but owing to the considerable similarities amongst them, the classification system is widely disputed by scientists.
Litter size of the African Wild Cat ranges from two to six babies, with three being the norm. Pregnancy lasts around two months and conception is often timed so that the kittens are born in the rainy season when food supply is plentiful. Independence is reached at six months and sexual maturity at twice that age.
Like other wild cats, the principal threat to this beautiful feline is from hybridizing with feral and domestic cats. Conservation strategies include breeding programs for maintenance of the pure gene pool at least in captivity (with future aims at reintroduction in the wild) and management of feral cat populations in the wild.
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on African Wild Cat
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
The African Wild Cat, also known as African Desert Cat, appears to have evolved as a unique specie many thousands of years ago. Its coloration varies from sandy yellow to gray as it ranges from arid to forested habitats. Body length is around one half to three quarters of a meter with weight ranging from five to fifteen pounds. Fur is short and marked by tabby-like spots and stripes. Tail is somewhat pointed and fur behind the ears has a certain reddish shade.
Primarily a nocturnal hunter, crepuscular activity is often recorded in territories uninhabited by humans. Hunting is through the stalk and ambush method. Small mammals including rodents and mice are generally taken, along with reptiles, insects and birds. Males are territorial and protective of their domain, that often includes ranges of a number of females.
Highly adaptable, the wild cat, Felis Silvestris Lybica, is seen in a variety of habitats including bush country and plains. The geographical range includes large parts of Africa excluding the rainforests of Central Africa and some of the extreme regions of the Sahara desert. It is also recorded in certain coastal areas of the Middle East. A number of subspecies (ten to fifteen) are recognized but owing to the considerable similarities amongst them, the classification system is widely disputed by scientists.
Litter size of the African Wild Cat ranges from two to six babies, with three being the norm. Pregnancy lasts around two months and conception is often timed so that the kittens are born in the rainy season when food supply is plentiful. Independence is reached at six months and sexual maturity at twice that age.
Like other wild cats, the principal threat to this beautiful feline is from hybridizing with feral and domestic cats. Conservation strategies include breeding programs for maintenance of the pure gene pool at least in captivity (with future aims at reintroduction in the wild) and management of feral cat populations in the wild.
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on African Wild Cat
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Asian Wild Cat
By Omer Ashraf
The Asian Wild Cat is the most endangered among wild cat species. Related more closely to the African than its European counterpart, the wild cat's coloration varies across its distribution from light yellow to reddish and gray. Size is similar to the African cat, with length ranging from forty five to seventy centimeters and weight between six to sixteen pounds. Spots, joining to form stripes, are distinctly noticeable. Upper chest and chin are often white and tail is ringed, with a black tip.
Mainly seen in arid areas, the Asiatic Wild Cat is quite capable of surviving in dry habitats, often going without water for long periods. It seldom is seen at high altitudes and usually lives in dry parts of Asia. Small mammals including rodents, hare and gerbil form the bulk of its diet, supplemented at times by birds.
The geographical range of the cat, Felis Silvestris Ornata, extends from Caspian Sea to Mongolia, India, Pakistan and Iran. Steppes and scrub desert areas are often the dwelling places of the felid. Little is known about the behavior and reproductive profile of the Asian Wild Cat, though it is established that the litter size is on average three to four and life span in the wild is up to fifteen years. The three recognized subspecies include:
Felis Silvestris Caudata (Caspian Sea)
Felis Sivestris Ornata (Pakistan, Iran and India)
Felis Silvestris Shawiana (Mongolia, parts of China)
Habitat loss and excessive hunting in the past for its characteristic spotted pelt has led to decline in this cat's numbers in the wild. As with other wild cats, the risk of loss of genetic purity also looms large through interbreeding with feral and domestic felines.
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Asian Wild Cat
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
The Asian Wild Cat is the most endangered among wild cat species. Related more closely to the African than its European counterpart, the wild cat's coloration varies across its distribution from light yellow to reddish and gray. Size is similar to the African cat, with length ranging from forty five to seventy centimeters and weight between six to sixteen pounds. Spots, joining to form stripes, are distinctly noticeable. Upper chest and chin are often white and tail is ringed, with a black tip.
Mainly seen in arid areas, the Asiatic Wild Cat is quite capable of surviving in dry habitats, often going without water for long periods. It seldom is seen at high altitudes and usually lives in dry parts of Asia. Small mammals including rodents, hare and gerbil form the bulk of its diet, supplemented at times by birds.
The geographical range of the cat, Felis Silvestris Ornata, extends from Caspian Sea to Mongolia, India, Pakistan and Iran. Steppes and scrub desert areas are often the dwelling places of the felid. Little is known about the behavior and reproductive profile of the Asian Wild Cat, though it is established that the litter size is on average three to four and life span in the wild is up to fifteen years. The three recognized subspecies include:
Felis Silvestris Caudata (Caspian Sea)
Felis Sivestris Ornata (Pakistan, Iran and India)
Felis Silvestris Shawiana (Mongolia, parts of China)
Habitat loss and excessive hunting in the past for its characteristic spotted pelt has led to decline in this cat's numbers in the wild. As with other wild cats, the risk of loss of genetic purity also looms large through interbreeding with feral and domestic felines.
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Asian Wild Cat
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
European Wild Cat
By Omer Ashraf
Believed to be the oldest amongst wild cats, the European Wild Cat (Felis Silvestris Silvestris) was once found through major parts of Europe. Larger than its African cousin, the European cat also has a more dense fur. Color ranges from gray to brown, with stripes often running across the body, though not as prominent in some other cat species. The coat is often marked by light colored patches on trunk. Skull is broad and tail short and bushy, with a black tip. Body length ranges from half a meter to one meter. Weight may be between two to twenty pounds.
The European Wild Cat prefers densely wooded areas though it is adaptable enough to survive in swamp territories unlike most other felines. Crepuscular, it often displays activity during day time as well. Though hunting is largely done on the ground, the cat may adapt an arboreal style in pursuit of prey. Diet consists largely of small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. Fish are seldom taken.
Originally divided into seven subspecies on the basis of geographical distribution, only three types are believed to remain today:
Felis Silvestris Grampia (Northern Scotland)
Felis Silvestris Caucasia (Turkey and Caucasus)
Felis Silvestris Silvestris (Central Europe)
Mating season is around February and March every year and an average of three kittens are born after a gestational period of just over two months. They gain independence at five months and sexual maturity at twice that age.
Largely persecuted in the past for fear of their attacks on poultry, the European Wild Cats are protected today owing to their beneficial influence in removing rodents that harm trees. The most serious threat today is breeding with feral and domestic cats that has led to large scale dilution of the gene pool. Pure bred variants of the original specie are hard to find today. Other serious threat is from disease that spreads from feral cats since the wild cats have little immunity after thousands of years of isolated existence.
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on European Wild Cat
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Believed to be the oldest amongst wild cats, the European Wild Cat (Felis Silvestris Silvestris) was once found through major parts of Europe. Larger than its African cousin, the European cat also has a more dense fur. Color ranges from gray to brown, with stripes often running across the body, though not as prominent in some other cat species. The coat is often marked by light colored patches on trunk. Skull is broad and tail short and bushy, with a black tip. Body length ranges from half a meter to one meter. Weight may be between two to twenty pounds.
The European Wild Cat prefers densely wooded areas though it is adaptable enough to survive in swamp territories unlike most other felines. Crepuscular, it often displays activity during day time as well. Though hunting is largely done on the ground, the cat may adapt an arboreal style in pursuit of prey. Diet consists largely of small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. Fish are seldom taken.
Originally divided into seven subspecies on the basis of geographical distribution, only three types are believed to remain today:
Felis Silvestris Grampia (Northern Scotland)
Felis Silvestris Caucasia (Turkey and Caucasus)
Felis Silvestris Silvestris (Central Europe)
Mating season is around February and March every year and an average of three kittens are born after a gestational period of just over two months. They gain independence at five months and sexual maturity at twice that age.
Largely persecuted in the past for fear of their attacks on poultry, the European Wild Cats are protected today owing to their beneficial influence in removing rodents that harm trees. The most serious threat today is breeding with feral and domestic cats that has led to large scale dilution of the gene pool. Pure bred variants of the original specie are hard to find today. Other serious threat is from disease that spreads from feral cats since the wild cats have little immunity after thousands of years of isolated existence.
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on European Wild Cat
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Jungle Cat
By Omer Ashraf
A medium-sized feline, Jungle Cat is believed to be the largest of the existing Felis genus wild cats. Distributed over a wide area extending from North Africa to Southeast Asia, the Jungle Cat is one of the most adaptable and versatile cats. Contrary to what its name suggests, the Jungle Cat is seldom seen in dense tropical rainforests - existing more on forest and river margins and marshy areas. A large, slender cat it resembles a serval in its physique with a weight ranging from ten to thirty five pounds, height at shoulders around fourteen inches and length nearing two and a half to three feet - though considerably bigger Jungle Cats have been recorded in the wild.
Color is uniform and quite similar to the domestic Abyssinian cats, varying across the cat's distribution, from a sandy grey to reddish. Legs are long and are often marked by some brown stripes. Tail is short, black-tipped and often ringed. Nose and chin are usually white and ears are large with dark tufts on the top like those of a lynx - giving rise to their common name 'Swamp Lynx'.
Felis Chaus, the Jungle Cat seems to have been bred of its ancestor African wild cat in ancient Egypt for the purpose of hunting wild fowl - afterwards it was mummified and entombed there. Primarily a predator of small mammals, fish, birds, rodents and snakes - the cat has been known to take down deer fawns and wild pigs. Hunting mostly in daytime, Jungle Cat has been known to swim and attack aquatic animals.
Often seen in groups, the Jungle Cat is perhaps the only feline where both male and female come together to actively partake in the rearing of the young. Kittens are born after a gestational period of around sixty five days with a large litter of up to six babies often recorded. They have a number of stripes to camouflage them in their infancy that disappear as they age. Males, the larger of the specie, are even more protective of the young than the females and emit loud barking sounds as part of their vocalization. The kittens are weaned off at three months and begin hunting at six months. Independence is reached at ten months and sexual maturity is gained at around eighteen months of age. Mating is believed to occur twice an year.
Several subspecies of the Jungle Cat are recorded, in accordance with its distribution in the wild:
Felis Chaus Chaus (Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Russia, Jordan, Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Pakistan)
Felis Chaus Affinis (Kashmir, Sikkim and Indochina)
Felis Chaus Fulvidina (Thailand, Burma, Cambodia and Vietnam)
Felis Chaus Furax (Syria and Iraq)
Felis Chaus Kelaarti (Sri Lanka)
Felis Chaus Kutas (Pakistan, western India)
Felis Chaus Nilotica (Nile Valley Egypt)
Felis Chaus Prateri (Pakistan, western India)
Felis Chaus Oxiana (Russia)
Despite having a large distribution in the wild, the Jungle Cat, also known as Reed Cat, is now being considered to be under threat owing to widespread hunting for its fur. It is estimated that as many as twelve adult jungle cats are killed to make one fur coat. It also comes in conflict with farmers over occasional consumption of domestic poultry. Many sport hunters do not hesitate to poison this beautiful cat since it preys upon the small mammals they like to hunt!
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on jungle cat.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
A medium-sized feline, Jungle Cat is believed to be the largest of the existing Felis genus wild cats. Distributed over a wide area extending from North Africa to Southeast Asia, the Jungle Cat is one of the most adaptable and versatile cats. Contrary to what its name suggests, the Jungle Cat is seldom seen in dense tropical rainforests - existing more on forest and river margins and marshy areas. A large, slender cat it resembles a serval in its physique with a weight ranging from ten to thirty five pounds, height at shoulders around fourteen inches and length nearing two and a half to three feet - though considerably bigger Jungle Cats have been recorded in the wild.
Color is uniform and quite similar to the domestic Abyssinian cats, varying across the cat's distribution, from a sandy grey to reddish. Legs are long and are often marked by some brown stripes. Tail is short, black-tipped and often ringed. Nose and chin are usually white and ears are large with dark tufts on the top like those of a lynx - giving rise to their common name 'Swamp Lynx'.
Felis Chaus, the Jungle Cat seems to have been bred of its ancestor African wild cat in ancient Egypt for the purpose of hunting wild fowl - afterwards it was mummified and entombed there. Primarily a predator of small mammals, fish, birds, rodents and snakes - the cat has been known to take down deer fawns and wild pigs. Hunting mostly in daytime, Jungle Cat has been known to swim and attack aquatic animals.
Often seen in groups, the Jungle Cat is perhaps the only feline where both male and female come together to actively partake in the rearing of the young. Kittens are born after a gestational period of around sixty five days with a large litter of up to six babies often recorded. They have a number of stripes to camouflage them in their infancy that disappear as they age. Males, the larger of the specie, are even more protective of the young than the females and emit loud barking sounds as part of their vocalization. The kittens are weaned off at three months and begin hunting at six months. Independence is reached at ten months and sexual maturity is gained at around eighteen months of age. Mating is believed to occur twice an year.
Several subspecies of the Jungle Cat are recorded, in accordance with its distribution in the wild:
Felis Chaus Chaus (Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Russia, Jordan, Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Pakistan)
Felis Chaus Affinis (Kashmir, Sikkim and Indochina)
Felis Chaus Fulvidina (Thailand, Burma, Cambodia and Vietnam)
Felis Chaus Furax (Syria and Iraq)
Felis Chaus Kelaarti (Sri Lanka)
Felis Chaus Kutas (Pakistan, western India)
Felis Chaus Nilotica (Nile Valley Egypt)
Felis Chaus Prateri (Pakistan, western India)
Felis Chaus Oxiana (Russia)
Despite having a large distribution in the wild, the Jungle Cat, also known as Reed Cat, is now being considered to be under threat owing to widespread hunting for its fur. It is estimated that as many as twelve adult jungle cats are killed to make one fur coat. It also comes in conflict with farmers over occasional consumption of domestic poultry. Many sport hunters do not hesitate to poison this beautiful cat since it preys upon the small mammals they like to hunt!
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on jungle cat.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com