Species Hang in the Balance

BINOMIAL NAME:

Prionailurus Viverrinus

ANATOMICAL PROPORTIONS:

3-3.5 ft. long (tip-to-tail)/ 1-1.5 ft. tall/ 13-30 lbs.

POPULATION (APPROXIMATE):

Insufficient Data

CONSERVATION STATUS:

ENDANGERED

DISTRIBUTION & HABITAT:

Wetlands, mangrove swamps, river banks, and streams, in some or all of Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, mainland Southeast Asia, Sumatra, and Java

DIET:

Almost exclusively fish (approximately ten fresh water species)

SPECIES THREATS:

The continued and rapid destruction of its dominant fresh water habitat, poses the most significant threat to fishing cat populations. To this end, pollution, human encroachment, draining wetlands, overfishing, and clear-cutting of mangrove swamps prove detrimental to the livelihood of this species.

The fishing cat (like most wild felines) is prized for its incredibly dense, rich and beautifully marked coat, so illegal poaching adds stress to the largely scattered, and remaining populations.

UNIQUE FACTS:

The fishing cat is aptly named, as fish are its preferred prey---sensibly, the cat is a terrific swimmer, and does not mind fully immersing underwater (a behavior in stark contrast with most felines).

The fishing cat's preference for aquatic prey is so strong that captive individuals have been observed, several times, dipping animal carcasses into water before a feeding.

DEVOTED ORGANIZATION:

Fishing Cat Project

• < Prev
• Next >