Wildlifeof Sri Lanka
Fishing Cat
Cats
Photo: Cliff · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Prionailurus viverrinus
Basic stats
Diet
Mainly fish and other aquatic prey; also birds, amphibians, small mammals, reptiles, snails and crustaceans
Habitat
Wetlands, streams, swamps, mangroves and reservoirs within forest and grassland mosaics
Litter size
2-3 kittens
Gestation period
63-70 days
Size
65-85cm body, 25-30cm tail
Weight
7-16kg
The fishing cat has short, coarse grey or olive-brown fur marked with small black spots and stripes that run into lines on the face, back and neck. The belly is white, with two dark collars on the throat. The head is broad and the ears small and rounded, and the tail is short, about a third of the body length, with 5 to 6 black rings. The hind feet are modestly webbed (Cat Specialist Group).
Fishing cats live in forest and dense grassland mosaics near water: streams, swamps, oxbow lakes and reservoirs, as well as mangroves, rice fields and coconut plantations. Fish are the main prey. The Cat Specialist Group describes the species as widespread across Sri Lanka, recorded up to 2,277 m, with a population estimate of 1,392 to 2,187 animals. Females give birth to 2 to 3 kittens after 63 to 70 days. Nationally Endangered (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).
Quick answers
- What does the Fishing Cat eat?
- Mainly fish and other aquatic prey; also birds, amphibians, small mammals, reptiles, snails and crustaceans
- What habitat does the Fishing Cat live in?
- Wetlands, streams, swamps, mangroves and reservoirs within forest and grassland mosaics
- What is the litter size of the Fishing Cat?
- 2-3 kittens
- How long is the gestation period of the Fishing Cat?
- 63-70 days
- How big is the Fishing Cat?
- 65-85cm body, 25-30cm tail
- How much does the Fishing Cat weigh?
- 7-16kg