Fishing Cat ( Prionailurus viverrinus )
Fishing cat - Fishing cat information - Fishing cat facts
Prionailurus viverrinus is distributed in south-eastern parts of Asia, then in Indonesia and Java. It is over 40 cm tall with the length of 120 cm. Its weight is about 12 kg while females are lighter. It has got strong body with short legs, big head and a short tail. The Fishing cats are grey coloured with black stripes along their back. Their fur is water resistant, which is quite inevitable as it spends a lot of time in water. They can be found in lakes, rivers, streams, deltas, swamps and wetland.
According to its name fish are a majority of their diet. Besides it feeds on other water animals as well as it is an excellent swimmer and it has long paws. Apart from water animals Prionailurus viverrinus eats snakes, pigs, goats, dogs, calves, hares, poultry, frogs etc.
Breeding usually occurs at the beginning of the year when female cats attract males with a specific sound. Gestation lasts about 2 months and the female gives birth to 2 offspring which their mother cares for. They reach the sexual maturity at the age of 9 years. Their lifespan is about 11 years.