Fishing Cat

Fishing Cat Latest News

Marking a significant addition to Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve’s (RVTR) small cat population, forest officials said a Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) was recently seen on camera for the first time inside the reserve.

About Fishing Cat

• It is a stocky and powerfully built medium-sized wild cat species.
• Scientific Name: Prionailurus viverrinus

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Fishing Cat Distribution

• It is native to South and Southeast Asia.
• They inhabit the peninsular region of India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Java, and Pakistan.
• In India, fishing cats are mainly found in the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, on the foothills of the Himalayas along the Ganga and Brahmaputra river valleys, and in the Western Ghats.
• It is the state animal of West Bengal.

Fishing Cat Habitat

• They are found in a variety of wetland habitats, including mangrove forests, swamps, marshes, and other areas near water sources. 
• The species is adapted to both fresh and saltwater habitats, and is able to tolerate a wide range of weather conditions, from tropical rain forests to temperate regions.

Fishing Cat Features

• Fishing cats are powerfully built with short limbs and a stocky body. 
• They stand 15-16 inches tall and reach lengths of 38-47 inches. 
• They have a long head and a short tail that is roughly one-third the length of their body. 
• Their fur is coarse and brownish gray in color with distinctive dark markings.
• The markings are a combination of both spots and stripes. These spots are arranged longitudinally across the body. 
• Six to eight dark lines run from above the eyes between the ears over the crown to the nape of the neck.
• The ears are short and round and the back side is black. 
• The fishing cat is an adept swimmer and enters water frequently to prey on fish, as its name suggests. It is known to even dive to catch fish.
• They show strong sexual dimorphism. Males are considerably larger. 
• They are nocturnal. 

Fishing Cat Conservation Status

It is classified as ‘Vulnerable’ under the IUCN Red List.

Source: TOI