🐈‍⬛ Simon says: “Let’s meet the swamp cat!”

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🐈‍⬛ The swamp cat

It’s called the swamp cat, reed cat or jungle cat, but in Hebrew, it’s חתול ביצות (chatul bitzot). Meet Felis chaus, one of Israel’s most elusive wild cats!

Despite its name, it doesn’t need a jungle. It prefers places with water & plenty of cover, including reed beds, riverbanks, streams & fish ponds. You might find it around the Hula Valley or along Israel’s rivers, but spotting one is another matter entirely! 🌿

Here’s a surprise: the jungle cats of the Middle East are generally larger than their eastern relatives. A male can weigh up to 13–14 kg, considerably bigger than your average moggy! 🐈

Long legs, large pointed ears & excellent hunting skills make this cat perfectly adapted to life in the wild. It catches rodents, birds & fish & it’s a capable swimmer, too.

But there’s a serious side to this story. Although the species is listed as Least Concern globally, it is classified as Vulnerable in Israel, where habitat loss & roads pose real challenges. Protecting wetlands & keeping natural habitats connected helps wildlife such as this remarkable cat survive. 🌱

Have you ever seen a swamp cat in the wild? It's genuinely rare; they're shy, mostly nocturnal, & masters of camouflage. If you have, you're one of the lucky few. If you haven't, well... join the club.
If you want to try your luck spotting one, book a tour of the Hula Valley with me. No promises, but the swamps - & of course the birds - are always worth it.


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photo credit: c.y. agur