This #FelidFriday we are talking about a sneaky small cat called the Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus).

They love wetlands, are expert swimmers (and divers), AND they make a chuckling sound. What’s not to love?

Fishing cats are found across South and Southeast Asia, but populations are fragmented.

These cats are highly dependant on water. Destruction of wetlands, waterway pollution and over-exploitation of fish stocks are major threats to their persistence.

As their namesake suggests, the majority of their diet is fish. However, studies in India reveal they also eat birds, insects, snakes, amphibians, and small rodents.

If it’s small enough & can be found near water, these resourceful big-small cats will hunt it.
Pallavi Laveti

A cat that dives and thrives in water? This requires some pretty unique adaptations: an elongated head for diving, partially webbed front paws, and unlike most cat species their claws are always a little protruded even when retracted.

Over the last decade Fishing Cat populations have declined 30%. As an “indicator species”, their presence means the ecosystem is living it’s best life. Illusiveness coupled with a mucky, marshy habitat of choice means there is still a lot to learn about them.

Subhajit Maity

Follow these amazing conservation biologists to learn more about this illusive, water-loving felid and their conservation: @iRamaMishra @urbanfishingcat

Anjani Kumar