The
 Fishing
Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a medium-sized cat whose disjunct
global range extends from eastern Pakistan through portions of India,
Nepal and Sri Lanka, throughout Bangladesh and Mainland Southeast Asia
to Sumatra and Java. Its fur has an olive-grey color with dark spots
arranged stripe-like running along the length of the body. The
face has a distinctly flat-nosed appearance. The size varies between
locations. While Indian specimens grow to 80 cm (32 in) plus 30 cm (12
in) tail, Indonesian fishing cats only reach 65 cm (26 in) plus 25 cm
(10 in) tail. Indian individuals weigh up to 11.7 kg (26 lbs), while in
Indonesia adult fishing cats weigh in at up to approximately 6 kg (13
lbs). They are stocky of build with medium short legs, and a short
muscular tail of one half to one third of the length of the rest of the
animal.
Like its closest relative, the Leopard Cat, the Fishing Cat lives along
rivers, streams and mangrove swamps. It is well adapted to this habitat,
being an eager and skilled swimmer.
As the name implies, fish is the main prey of this cat, of which it
hunts about 10 different species. It also hunts other aquatic animals
such as frogs or crayfish, and terrestrial animals such as rodents and
birds. The inter-digital webs on its paws help the cat gain better
traction in muddy environments and water, like other mammals living in
semi-aquatic environments.
Conservation
The Fishing Cat is endangered due to its dependence on wetlands, which
are increasingly being settled and converted for agriculture, and also
due to human over-exploitation of local fish stocks. It is believed
extinct in Afghanistan, it may already be gone from Malaysia and China,
and it has become rare throughout its remaining distribution[4].
Fishing Cat
In Sri Lanka, the Fishing Cat is known as Handun Diviya or Kola
Diviya.[5] The terms 'Handun Diviya' and 'Kola Diviya' are also used by
the local community to refer to the Rusty-spotted Cat (Prionailurus
rubiginosus), another little-known small cat in suburban habitats of Sri
Lanka. Both animals are nocturnal and elusive and therefore distinct
identity as to which one is referred as 'Handun Diviya' is arguable.[6] |
