Fishing Cat
Fishing Cat Facts
| Size | 22-31 inches (57-78 cm) (body length) |
| Speed | Up to 34 mph (55 km/h) |
| Weight | 11-37 pounds (5-17 kg) |
| Lifespan | 10-12 years |
| Food | Fish, frogs, insects, crustaceans, mice, birds |
| Predators | - |
| Habitat | Nepal, India, Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka |
| Order | Carnivores |
| Family | Cats |
| Scientific name | Prionailurus viverrinus |
| Characteristics | Big cat that enjoys to swim; fishes with her paws |
Main Characteristics
The fishing cat is a wild cat that is native to Southeast Asia and lives in wetlands. Its most striking characteristic is that she enjoys swimming and even diving. She feeds on fish.
Distribution and Habitat
Fishing cats live in Southeast Asia: in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra. Their habitat is moist areas such as mangroves, swamps, rivers, lakes and marshes.
Life Style
Fishing cats are solitary creatures. They're nocturnal. During the day they hide in the dense tropical forest and at night they hunt for food.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
Fishing cats are about twice the size of a domestic cat. Their body length is 22-31 inches (57-78 cm). Their tail is 7.9-11.8 inches (20-30 cm) long. The males are larger and heavier. They weigh 18-37 pounds (8-17 kg). The females weigh 11-20 pounds (5-9 kg).
Body
The fishing cat has a stocky, powerful body that is very long compared to its legs.
Fur
The fishing cat has two layers of fur. The short undercoat repels water out and keeps it warm, while the patterned upper layer helps the cat blend into the dense jungle environment.
Color
The fur is gray-green to olive green with large black spots. Two black lines start above their eyes and run down their neck and back to their tail. The belly is white.
Tail
The tail is only half as long as the body. Similar to how a ship's rudder works, the fishing cat utilizes its tail to navigate and change direction while swimming in the water.
Paws
Unlike most other cats, the fishing cat can't retract its claws completely, leaving the tips exposed. It has webbing between their toes. Interestingly, they're not designed for frequent swimming. Their main purpose is to prevent the cat from sinking in the swamp.
Fishing Cat or Bengal Cat – What’s the Difference?
Fishing cats and Bengal cats have common ancestors, which is why they look very similar. There is also a breed of domestic cat called Bengal. It was created by crossing a leopard cat and a domestic cat. All three species look very similar. The fishing cat is the largest, the Bengal cat is the second largest and the Bengal domestic cat is the third largest. All three have the characteristic lines that start above the eyes and run down the head and neck.
Diet
The fishing cat is a carnivore. It feeds over 70% fish. The remaining 30 % consist of molluscs, frogs, snails, snakes, birds, insects and small rodents.
Behavior
Hunting
Fishing cats patiently wait along the shore or move through shallow waters to find their prey. When they spot a fish, they use their paws to scoop it out of the water and flick it onto land. Another way they hunt is by diving into the water to catch fish using their sharp teeth.
Communication
Sounds
Fishing cats produce a variety of sounds. They hiss, hiss, chirp, grumble and meow. This is how they communicate with their peers.
Odors
Fishing cats also communicate with their fellow cats through smells. They leave scent marks in their territory to let others know it is taken or to attract potential mates in the area.
Are Fishing Cats Dangerous?
The fishing cat is twice the size of a domestic cat. It's no wonder that people wonder if the animal is dangerous to humans. The answer is: No, not really. This is primarily due to the fishing cat's preference to avoid human interaction. Of course, things look a little different when the cat feels cornered or threatened. In this case, it can become extremely aggressive. Despite being smaller than other large cats, it is very bold and self-confident. It isn't afraid to attack a dog that threatens her.
Senses and Abilities
Swimming
Unlike other cats, the fishing cat isn't afraid of water. It likes to wade, swim or dive to catch fish, frogs and other animals. Its paws even have some sort of webbing.
Life Expectancy
In the wild, fishing cats can live 10-12 years.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
If anything, fishing cats are preyed upon by tigers or bears. Since these predators are hardly found in the wild anymore, it can be said that they actually have no natural enemies.
Human Impact
Habitat Loss
The biggest threat to the fishing cat is habitat loss. Although it is widespread in many countries, it is becoming increasingly difficult for it to find a suitable place to live. It relies on wetlands. However, these are drained in order to farm, build roads or build houses in these areas. In addition, wetlands are increasingly being polluted by industry.
Hunting and Poaching
Fishing cats are a protected species. Yet they're killed to eat their flesh and to make clothing from their fur.
Overfishing
Lakes and rivers are increasingly being overfished. This means that so many fish are caught that they can't reproduce quickly enough. However, the cat relies on fish as its main food.
How Many Fishing Cats Are Left?
According to an IUCN estimate in 2015, there are less than 10,000 fishing cats in the world. They're classified as a vulnerable species.
Importance for the Ecosystem
Fishing cats play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of nature by preying on rodents like mice and rats, which prevents the them from multiplying rapidly and disrupting the ecosystem.
Reproduction
Fishing cats usually breed between January and February. After a gestation period of 60-70 days, one to four baby cats are born. At birth they're blind and deaf and weigh just 5-6 ounces (150-170 grams). After two weeks they open their eyes. At the age of two months they begin to eat solid food. However, they continue to be nursed by their mother for a few months. After about nine months they are independent of their mother and go their own way.
Fishing Cat as a Pet
Can you keep a fishing cat as a pet? Can they be domesticated? They look very similar to a normal house cat - so why not? Well, the fishing cat is a wild animal. It needs tropical mangroves and swamps as a habitat. In most regions it is virtually impossible to create such a living space. In addition, fishing cats aren't cuddly cats. They can become very aggressive. Since the animal is also a protected species, it is not allowed to buy it and keep it as a pet.
The Fishing Cat Is Related To:
- Leopard Cat
- Sunda Leopard Cat
Animals in the Same Biome:
- Asian Rhino
- Black Rat
- Civet Cat
- Cormorant
- Frog
- Mouse
- Tiger
Sources:
- "Fishing Cat Conservation Alliance" (https://www.fishingcat.org)
- "Fish on the platter! Dietary habits of fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus) in the Godavari Delta, India" (https://link.springer.com)
- "The vulnerable fishing cat Prionailurus viverrinus in Odisha, eastern India: status and conservation implications" (https://www.tandfonline.com)
