Fishing cat
Class: Mammals
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Prionailurus
Species: Viverrinus
Geographic distribution: South and Southeast Asia
Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, swamps
Size: 57 to 85 cm long
Longevity: 12 years
Weight: 5 to 16 kg
Maturity Sexual: 8 to 10 months
Gestation: Approximately 2 months
Litter: 1 to 4 pups
Diet: Carnivores, fish, waterfowl, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, etc.
Protection Status: IUCN CR – Vulnerable
Description
The fishing cat, primarily nocturnal, is an excellents wimmer and climber. It hunts in ambush along the riverbanks, striking with a quick paw to catchfish and crustaceans. It also waits for the tide to recede to capture prey trapped in holes.
Threats and perservations
The fishing cat is primarily threatened by habitat loss, water pollution, and illegal hunting. To protect it, several conservation projects have been implemented (Fishingcat Conseravtion Alliance, Save the FishingCat…). In particular, these projects help combat poaching and protect degrading wetland ecosystems. All these actions are carried out with the help of local communities.
