Fishing cat

Prionailurus viverrinus

Size: 57–86 cm · 5–16 kg
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Nocturnal
Sociality: Solitary
Lifespan: —

Fishing cat is a medium-sized cat specialized for hunting around wetlands and streams. Wetland loss, fishing gear, and conflict with people threaten the species in many areas.

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Key facts

Fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a carnivore animal classified as Mammal · Carnivora · Felidae.
Primary habitats are freshwater · forest · coast, with a range across Indomalayan.
Activity is nocturnal, sociality is solitary, and conservation status is VU (Vulnerable).
Fishing cat is a medium-sized cat specialized for hunting around wetlands and streams.
It inhabits wetlands, mangroves, river edges, and swamp forests of South and Southeast Asia.

Sources

wikidata.org

Range

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It inhabits wetlands, mangroves, river edges, and swamp forests of South and Southeast Asia. Main habitat types in this guide are freshwater, forest, coast.

Appearance

Typical length 57-86 cm, weight 5 kg-16 kg. A stocky body, short tail, spotted coat, and strong feet suit waterside hunting.

Behavior

It is nocturnal and usually solitary. It patrols waterside territories and ambushes prey from banks or shallows.

Feeding

It is carnivorous. Fish are prominent, but frogs, crustaceans, birds, and small mammals are also taken.

Reproduction

Females rear kittens in cover, and young gradually learn waterside hunting.

Notes

Habitat loss and human pressure make conservation attention important. Wetland loss, fishing gear, and conflict with people threaten the species in many areas.