We will explain the characteristics, ecology, and habitat of fishing cats. This cat is an extremely rare animal that can fish. It can be seen widely in Southeast Asia, as it is distributed in Sri Lanka, India, Indochina, the Malay Peninsula, and Sumatra. It looks like a domestic cat, but it’s bigger.
What is a fishing cat? About basic status
Fishing cats belong to the mammalian order Carnivora and the family Felidae. The scientific name is Prionailurus viverrinus. The body length is 57-86cm and the weight is 5.5-8.0kg. They tend to live mostly in the eastern and southeastern regions of Asia. Fishing Cat means “fishing” cat.
| Japanese（和名） | スナドリネコ |
| English（英名） | Fishing cat |
| scientific name(学名) | Prionailurus viverrinus |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、 Carnivora、Felidae、Prionailurus 哺乳綱、食肉目、ネコ科、ベンガルヤマネコ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | VULNERABLE |
| Length（体長） | 57-86cm |
| Weight（体重） | 5.5-8.0kg |
What will be the classification?
In terms of the lineage of extant species of the cat family, it is the genus Bengal cat. The following subspecies exist in the Bengal wildcat genus: The Tsushima leopard cat and the Iriomote leopard cat are designated as endangered species.
| Name:名前 | academic name （学名） | Habit （生息地） |
| Tsushima leopard cat ツシマヤマネコ | Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus | Tsushima, Japan 対馬 |
| Iriomote wild cat イリオモテヤマネコ | Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis | Iriomote, Japan 西表島 |
| Sunda leopard cat スンダヒョウネコ | Prionailurus javanensis | Java, Bali, Borneo, Sumatra、Indonesia ジャワ島、バリ島、ボルネオ島、スマトラ島 |
| Flat-headed cat マレーヤマネコ | Prionailurus planiceps | Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia インドネシア、タイ、ブルネイ、マレーシア |
| Rusty-spotted Cat サビイロネコ | Prionailurus rubiginosus | India インド |
| Fishing cat スナドリネコ | Prionailurus viverrinus | Indonesia, China, Thailand インドネシア、中国、タイ |
Fishing cat taxonomy
- 界 (Kingdom)： Animalia（動物界）
- 門 (Phylum)： Chordata（脊索動物門）
- 綱 (Class)： Mammalia（哺乳綱）
- 目 (Order)： Carnivora（食肉目）
- 科 (Family)： Felidae（ネコ科）
- 属 (Genus)： Prionailurus（プライオナイルルス属）
- 種 (Species)： Prionailurus viverrinus（スナドリネコ）
About fishing cat habitat
Fishing cats live in China, the Indochina Peninsula, and India. Born mainly in South Asia. This cat is also shown and exhibited in photographic materials at aquariums and zoos.
Fishing Cat Habitat
Regional Distribution
South Asia: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal
Southeast Asia: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java)
Also found in isolated habitats on some islands
Habitat
Mainly found in wetlands, mangrove forests, and riverside areas
Prefers freshwater marshes, lakes, and rivers
Adapted to aquatic habitats, they are excellent swimmers and fish hunters
Relationship with Humans
Habitat is shrinking due to agricultural and urban development
Wetland destruction is a major threat
In some areas, they live in protected areas and national parks
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
The fishing cat is a cat that cannot retract its claws on its front legs. They are good swimmers and can be active both on land and in water. The coat color is usually greyish-brown, with whitish hair from the chin to the abdomen, and the hair is short and has slightly elongated black spots all over the body. It can also be found in lowland wetlands, swamps, near rivers, and in mountainous areas. They usually live alone and are mostly active at night.
- Physical Characteristics
Size: Medium-sized cat. Body length: Approximately 57-78cm, tail length: 20-35cm, weight: 5-16kg
Coat color: Yellowish-brown to grayish-brown coat with black spots or stripes
Face: Sturdy face, rounded ears, and a slightly larger head than small cats
Tail: Thick and short, helps with balance when swimming
- Ecological characteristics
Aquatic adaptations: Excellent swimmers, adept at catching fish in the water
Diet: Mainly fish, but also preys on frogs, small mammals, and birds
Activity: Nocturnal or crepuscular (active in the morning and evening)
Habitat: Closely associated with waterside areas such as rivers, lakes, marshes, and mangrove forests
- Behavioral characteristics
Hunting: Lie in wait near water and quickly capture fish and amphibians
Territory: Relatively solitary, with a strong sense of territory
Calls: Its vocalizations are similar to those of a cat, but it also produces low growls and hisses to intimidate.
- Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
Threats: Habitat loss due to destruction of wetlands and rivers, poaching, agriculture, and urban development
What will your personality look like?
Fishing cats are ferocious and sometimes attack cows, sheep, and dogs. Therefore, there is a possibility that they may attack humans, so you need to be careful.
Fishing Cat Personality and Behavior
Highly cautious
They will immediately hide if they encounter a human or large animal
They prefer solitary behavior and are very territorial
Curious but cautious
They often observe their environment and the movements of their prey
They are patient and can quietly lie in wait when hunting near water
They are not aggressive but are defensive
They generally avoid conflict
They will hiss and growl and flee when they sense danger
They are highly independent
They live alone, not in groups
They have a wide range of activity near water and have their own hunting range
What is the ecology of fishing cats?
Fishing cats make a living by catching and eating frogs, crayfish, fish, shellfish, etc. Fishing cats probably mate between January and February, and the gestation period is about two months. Females give birth to two or three kittens. By the age of one month, kittens will be active and mobile. The lifespan is said to be up to 10 years.
- Habitat
Depends on aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, marshes, and mangrove forests.
Can survive in urban areas and around agricultural land if the environment is watery.
Habitat fragmentation in some areas makes conservation efforts important.
- Diet
Main Food: Fish (specializes in hunting)
Other Food: Amphibians (frogs), crustaceans, small mammals, and birds.
Hunting Method: Quietly ambushes near water and quickly captures prey.
- Behavior
Nocturnal or Crepuscular: Active primarily in the evening and at night.
Good Swimmer: Capable of pursuing prey in the water.
Territory: Solitary and highly territorial.
- Reproduction
Estrous season is clearly defined, but varies depending on the region and environment.
Gestation period is approximately 63-70 days.
Gives 2-4 kittens per litter.
During their early life, they depend on their mother and learn to hunt and adapt to the water.
What are the natural enemies of fishing cats?
Fishing cats have no natural enemies. They are said to have quite violent personalities, so they are rarely attacked.
About Fishing Cat Babies
By examining the young (kitten) stage of fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus), we can gain insight into their ecology and development as wild animals.
- Appearance and Body Shape
Birth Weight: Approximately 100-150g
Body Length: Approximately 15-20cm (excluding tail)
Coat Color: Light gray-brown at birth with lighter markings
The markings and stripes become more pronounced within a few weeks of birth
Eye Color: Initially bluish, changing to a color similar to that of an adult cat within a few weeks
- Growth and Behavior
2-3 Weeks: Eyes fully open, and walking gradually becomes more stable
4-6 Weeks: Weaning begins. They learn hunting techniques by imitating their mother’s hunting techniques and playing.
2-3 months: Motor and swimming skills develop, and they begin to interact with water.
Around 6 months: They reach nearly adult size and mobility.
- Socialization
Pups are dependent on their mother during their early stages.
They learn hunting, swimming, and danger avoidance from their mother.
They acquire hunting skills and social behavior through play with their siblings.
- Physiological Characteristics
Breastfeeding lasts from approximately 4-6 weeks of age.
They gradually begin to eat solid foods (fish and small animals) around 8 weeks of age.
Pups’ immunity is dependent on their mother’s milk, and they are at high risk of illness.
- Precautions (for wild rescue and captivity)
Pups are highly dependent on water, so the environment is important.
Learning hunting techniques and swimming from their mother is directly related to their survival.
Reintroduction programs require hunting education from mothers and caregivers.
Is the fishing cat an endangered species?
The fishing cat is listed as an endangered species. The population is decreasing rapidly year by year, and according to information, the following causes can be cited.
habitat destruction
They are threatened by the destruction of wetlands, which are becoming increasingly polluted and converted into agricultural and human settlements, leaving fishing cats with no place to live, and habitat loss making life difficult for them.
Overfishing of fish resources and retaliatory killings
The fishing cat’s favorite food is fish, but as the population increases, humans are also taking too many fish through fishing. This makes it difficult to secure food. Additionally, fishing cats regularly attack farmers’ livestock, resulting in many cases of them being killed in retaliation. On Sagar Island, indigenous people wiped out the fishing cat population, and in Bangladesh, at least 30 fishing cats were killed by locals in the three years between January 2010 and March 2013.
Is it possible to keep fishing cats?
Fishing cats have quite aggressive personalities, so they are extremely difficult to keep. Keeping multiple dogs is not recommended as there is a risk of killing them.
- Capability
General households: Not permitted
Regulated under the Wildlife Protection Act and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
As an endangered species, capturing and keeping them without domestic or international permission is illegal.
Zoos and conservation facilities: Capable of keeping with special permission
Kept only for conservation or breeding programs
Environment, diet, and freedom of movement must be ensured.
- Difficulties in keeping
Water-dependent
They require the ability to hunt in water, and failing to maintain a proper aquatic environment can lead to stress and health problems.
Strong wild instincts
Highly cautious and preferring solitary behavior
Not easily tamed, making them difficult to care for at home
Special diet
Because they primarily prey on fish and aquatic life, they require special methods for obtaining and feeding their food.
The type and amount of food they eat must be controlled in order to maintain their health.
- The Significance of Conservation and Breeding
The purpose of breeding, conservation, and education in zoos and conservation facilities is to protect and educate animals.
They are sometimes managed as part of reintroduction programs.
In conclusion, fishing cats cannot be kept as pets at home; they can only be kept in specialized facilities.
コメント