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Range and Habitat: Fishing cats can be found in areas
of Southwest India, Sri Lanka, Southern Himalayas, Bangladesh,
Viet Nam, Thailand, Myanmar, Southern China, Sumatra and Java.
Due to their aquatic nature and diet, fishing cats are commonly
found in areas associated with water. Marshy thickets, mangrove
swamps and densely vegetated areas near streams, rivers or lakes
are all suitable habitat for this species.
Habits and Adaptations: The fishing cat is less arboreal
than many of the other cats, but is much more aquatic. Partial
webbing has been noted on the front paws. This may be useful for
swimming, however, is no more extensive than that seen in some
other nonaquatic cats.
Diet: Fishing cats typically feed on prey caught in their
aquatic environment. This can include: fish, frogs, crustaceans
and molluscs. They will also feed on small mammals and birds.
Breeding and Maturation: Fishing cats are born in litters
of 1-4 kittens with 2 or 3 being the usual. The gestation period
is approximately 63 days. Kittens weigh 100-170 g. at birth, but
grow quickly to adult size within nine months.
Reliable information on longevity is not available, however,
cats should live into their mid teens in captivity.
Miscellaneous: Relatively little is known of the natural
history of these rarely observed cats. Its activity related to
fishing has, however, been documented. A hunting cat can be seen
close to the water either on shore or on an overhanging branch
swatting or scooping its prey from the water. They are also known
to dive head first into deeper areas and pursue their prey underwater.
It is listed as Lower Risk/near threatened by the IUCN Redlist
and is protected from trade under Appendix II of CITES (Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species).
When first described in 1833 the fishing cat was given the species
name viverrina because the spot/stripe pattern of its coat is
so similar to many of the civets (viverridae).
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