The fishing cat is one of the most mysterious hunters of the oriental region. Very adaptable. It is found, more often than not, in mangrove swamps but is also sometimes encountered in mountain regions of India. It has frequently been seen catching fishes from the bank but its swimming and diving ability has not been recorded.

It is an inhabitant of Sri Lanka and India, Indo- China, Thailand, Sumatra and Java.

Description :

It measures over 4 feet long, tail included. A robust, powerful animal, the fishing cat has short rather coarse fur. It is a grizzled grey, often tinged with olive brown. The fur is marked with dark round spots which run in longitudinal rows. On the face are white stripes running from the eyes to the crown of the head, and there are six to eight dark lines running from the forehead over the crown and along the neck. Contrasting white spots mark the backs of the short, rounded black ears. The head is thick and broad and the muzzle is somewhat elongate. Vestigial anterior upper premolars are present. About the size of a basset hound, the body of the fishing cat is notably deep chested, and the relatively short tail is unusually thick and muscular near the base.

Fishing cats frequently enter water to take fish, frogs, crabs and even molluscs. They also prey on snakes, birds and small mammals. They are said to have taken calves, goats and dogs and will scavenge the carcasses of larger animals. A fishing cat is known to have killed a leopard.

Behaviour :

Fishing cats have been observed to dive head first into water and swim underwater to grab fish with their mouths (Breeden 1989). Reports confirm an ability to attract fish to them by gently tapping the surface of the water. This appears to create ripples as if an insect had landed on the water. A fish will investigate, and the fishing cat will pounce. It has been reported that several individuals are tolerant of each other in captivity, however they will fight and the resident male at The Cat Survival Trust came with a reputation for killing any female to which he was introduced. Males are said to aid in the rearing of young in captivity. Largely nocturnal, they will also climb trees to dive into water.