Fishing Cat

Prionailurus viverrinus

The Fishing Cat is a special type of cat that loves water! It has webbed feet to help it swim and catch fish. These cats are playful and can often be found near rivers and swamps.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Fishing Cat is a medium-sized, stocky wild cat with a relatively short tail and short legs. Its coarse, grayish-brown fur is covered in dark spots and stripes, with two prominent dark lines across its cheeks. Unique among cats, it has partially webbed front paws and claws that don't fully retract.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyFelidaeGenusPrionailurus

Fishing Cat

Interesting facts

Fishing cats often hunt by dipping their head into the water to grab unsuspecting fish!

Its dense, water-repellent fur helps it stay warm and dry even after long swims!

Some fishing cats have been seen hunting in water that is even waist-deep for a person!

Unlike many cats, they love water and are excellent swimmers from a young age!

Special abilities

Fishing Cat can dive and swim underwater to catch fish because of its partially webbed paws and dense, water-resistant fur.

Fishing Cat has semi-retractable claws that help them grip slippery prey, even scooping fish directly out of the water.

Fishing Cat has long, stiff whiskers that help them detect fish movements and navigate murky waters in the dark.

Measurements & details

Length: 77-108 cm
Weight: 5-16 kg
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Top Speed: 32 km/h
Litter Size: 1-4
Gestation: 63-71 days

Diet & Feeding

Mostly eats fish, but also crabs, frogs, and small animals found near water.

Primary Foods

fish
crabs
frogs
snakes
waterfowl
rodents

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

Striped Snakehead

Channa striata

A common freshwater fish species forming a key part of its diet.

hunts

Paddy Field Frog

Fejervarya limnocharis

Frequently preys on these amphibians found in marshy areas.

eaten by

Mugger Crocodile

Crocodylus palustris

Large crocodiles can occasionally prey on fishing cats near water.

hunts

Brown Rat

Rattus norvegicus

Hunts these rodents that often inhabit areas near water and human settlements.

Traits

Furry

Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.

Webbed Feet

Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming.

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Piscivorous

Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.