The content of the article
Reed cat is famous in the world of zoology under various names. The reed cat got its unusual nickname because of its habitat. This predatory representative of the fauna lives in the wooded river valleys and impassable thickets of high reeds. However, the area where the furry predator breeds is quite extensive. The reed cat lives in Transcaucasia and the lower reaches of the Volga, in India, parts of Eastern Turkey, Iran, in the lower reaches of the Nile, as well as in the river valley of Central Asia, etc.
Reed cat description
The reed predator with its appearance resembles a wild lynx. However, it is not so big. His coat has a reddish-gray color, with black tassels on his ears.
- The body of the reed cat is about 60-90 centimeters in length, and the weight of the predatory animal does not exceed 5-12 kilograms.The largest representatives of this cat family live in the Caucasus and in Palestine. But individuals of small size, externally reminiscent of pets, live in Thailand and on the island of Sri Lanka in South Asia.
- The tail of the reed cat is thin and short, reaching 20-30 cm in length. It has a gray color with a pair of dark rings and a black dot on its tip.
- The predator's round head is of medium size, its muzzle is slightly extended forward, and on the crown there are large erect ears with black tassels.
- Sharp claws are formed on strong legs.
- The natural coat color of these predators helps them to mask well on the ground. Depending on the breeding area, the color of wool in different species of reed cats has different shades. This helps them blend in with the environment and lead the hunt. However, the primary colors are gray and brown shades, and sometimes the reed cat's fur coat has an olive, red and even whitish color.
The pattern on the fur coat resembles thin transverse stripes interspersed with small fuzzy spots. The unusual color of the coat can hardly be traced. The clearest and bright color can be found in the young individuals of this family, in particular in kittens.In winter, the fur coat of predators becomes thick and fluffy, and with the onset of summer takes on a coarse, faded and not thick look. Individuals that live in cold climates have longer hair with thick and thick fur.
In zoology, it is customary to distinguish about nine species of the family of reed cats. All of these representatives of the fauna have a different coat color and often differ in size, but common external features in them are preserved.
Habitat predator
The representative of the predatory fauna prefers to live in the dense valleys of lowland forests, along lakes and rivers with thick reeds. It finds its refuge in the depths of the reed beds and among the dry stalks of reeds. Earth never digs. With the help of reeds it lays out its own rookery on the ground and arranges an overnight stay. Sometimes a reed cat can find shelter in holes left by badgers or porcupines.
The reed cat avoids strongly open territories, deftly climbs through impassable thickets of thorny bushes. There are no predator paths. An individual of this species is not often found at an altitude of over 800 meters, and in the tropical zone the beast lives at an altitude of up to 2.5 meters. In this very cold climate, the reed cat suffers poorly.
The reed beast prefers solitude.However, with the onset of the mating season, everything changes. The predator acquires a female for breeding. Males and females live together, take good care of the health of the growing offspring, and food they share is shared by all family members. Reed cats hunt in the area from 45 to 180 km2. The area on which predators hunt depends on the region of residence of the individual. The hunting grounds of males and females are often intertwined.
Fact! The reed cat is an excellent swimmer, diving smartly and not afraid of water. Does not like to climb trees.
The large long ears of a reed cat endowed the beast with a good ear. He has excellent eyesight, thanks to which the predator sees well at night. However, the sense of smell in this predatory animal is not well developed, so the reed cat is worse than other representatives of the cat family and distinguishes surrounding smells.
What eats and where to hunt?
Reed cats have a rich menu. The diet includes waterfowl representatives of the fauna and birds, as well as reptiles, fish and crustacean mammals. Sometimes the beast steals food for sustenance from people living in nearby settlements. Hunting for domestic birds.
He goes on a hunt at different times of the day or night, but prefers twilight. Looking for prey in impassable reed thickets. Looking for a victim without haste, listens to every sound and movement around. Watching prey from cover, then silently sneaks closer. Prey reaches immediately with the help of several confident jumps. Then the reed cat strangles his prey with his paws.
Terrestrial birds fall into the diet of the reed cat, in addition, the predator often devastates bird nests. To catch a bird taking off, makes a vertical sharp jump. And in order to catch a rodent, this cat can lurk for a long time near the mink and wait for the desired prey. Fish catches with the help of a cunning maneuver: it hits the surface of the water with its paws, depicting insects, thus luring its future catch with bait. Caught fish pulls out of the water with a clawed paw or catches it with his teeth. The reed predator is not afraid of snakes; on the contrary, it hunts them in the same way as it can kill a lizard.
Mating and breeding future offspring
The most suitable time for breeding future offspring in reed cats begins in early February - March, and can last until the middle of spring.The mating games of the predators of this species are cruelly and very aggressive. Cats flirt with each other with the help of loud and harsh sounds, growling wildly, enter into a fight with a partner. That is why during the mating period it is better not to stand in the way of reed predators.
When the female responds to the courtship of the reed wild male, she begins to prepare for the birth of the future offspring. The female goes in search of a suitable shelter for the birth of her kittens. The predator covers its lair with its fur to warm the rookery.
Children reed cats appear two months after the mating games, around the beginning of May. The female bears from two to six kittens, sometimes this number reaches ten. As a rule, more females than males are born. A newborn kitten can weigh from 60 to 100 grams. Future predators appear blind, and open their eyes only after two weeks.
The reed female feeds her cubs with mother's milk for about three months of their life. In this case, starting from two months, gradually teaches them to eat the food of adults. Cubs reed cats matures very quickly.In the period of development of the young, the male stays next to their children. At about five months, future predators become completely independent and can do without the help of parents.
Sexual maturity in predators of this species comes to about eight months of their life. Life expectancy of this species in nature reaches an average of 14 years.
Habitat of reed cats in captivity
Few owners decide to acquire a predatory beast, and primarily because of the relatively high cost of one such individual. In addition, the maintenance and care of reed cats is no less expensive. However, before having such a predatory beast, it is necessary to study the habits and lifestyle features of reed cats. If the future owners do not have enough time that they can devote to raising an exotic pet, then you should not think at all about breeding a predatory beast at home.
The reason is that the wild beast is difficult to tame to life outside its natural habitat. At home, a cat of this breed takes root problematically.The most suitable place for the habitation of a predatory animal is a special enclosure for pets, equipped with everything necessary. For proper predator development, the area of the cage must be at least 3 square meters, and the height of the cage must be 5 square meters. If the cage is smaller in size, the reed cat will feel restricted in movement and may become ill.
The dwelling for the predator must be protected with a metal grid. And pour the surface of the floor with a solution of concrete and lay wooden boards on top of it. Flooring from the top of the tree covered with soil mixed with sand. Also in the aviary should provide areas for planting herbs and plants. This will help to get as close as possible to the natural conditions in which the reed predator lives. The cage should be equipped according to the example of a dog kennel, and additional straw should be laid on the bottom, stone or wooden terraces should be made. For the toilet fit ordinary large trays filled with powder.
Young individuals of reed breed, which were taken up at the age of 3 months, are fairly easy to learn to live in captivity.However, kittens need increased attention during the period of education. If you look at the photos of domesticated cats from the reed family, it is rather difficult to distinguish them from ordinary kittens. However, predatory pets are not as innocent as it may seem at first. Animals have the character of a real predator and are masterful. The owner choose one and for life, go after him everywhere. For the rest of the people are often a little aggressive.
For the proper development of reed cats, it is necessary to create a large open space for daily games of predators. The thing is that these cats love movement and freedom. The most suitable place for their dwelling in captivity is considered a house outside the city or cottage.
These predators are waiting for the owner affection and care. Reed cats should often be walking outdoors. Wild animals are well accustomed to the tray, they do not require frequent combing of wool.
This predator feeds only once a day.The full diet of the beast includes 200 grams of lean meat, the best is beef. Also, predatory cats love to feast on mice or rats. In addition to beef, it is enough for a reed cat to eat two mice or one rat. In addition, hatched chickens or quails can be included in the daily menu of predatory animals. Once a week, cats need to be fed fresh fish.
Also for predatory cats it is useful to do fasting days and give the predator a little starve during the day. To such a rigid diet should not be resorted to often, it is enough to enter it only once a week. Unloading the body helps predators in captivity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. And the diet itself helps to prevent an excess of weight in predatory cats. Also, the diet of animals is important to supplement the necessary vitamins, mineral supplements, calcium, greens.
Buying a reed cat
Buy a kitten of this breed for breeding at home is not so easy. You can buy a predatory animal in specialized nurseries that breed and grow exotic animals. You can also find a beast for sale at various thematic exhibitions with the participation of predatory animals.
When buying a predator, it is important to get acquainted with the vaccines and the passport of the animal to confirm its pedigree and the purity of the breed. The cost of cats of this family can be found on a specialized animal breeding site. Approximately the cost of reed cat breeds in the animal market varies from three to eight thousand dollars.
Video: reed cat in the wild
To send