The fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a medium-sized wild cat species native to the diverse wetland environments of South and Southeast Asia. This feline has a robust build and a distinctive spotted coat, allowing it to blend into its preferred habitats like marshes, mangroves, and flooded areas. Unlike most members of the cat family, the fishing cat possesses a semi-aquatic lifestyle, spending a significant portion of its time in or around water. This deep association with aquatic environments has led to a highly specialized diet and unique hunting behaviors.
Primary Aquatic Prey
The core of the fishing cat’s diet consists of aquatic creatures, reflecting its wetland environment. Fish are the most common prey item, often comprising up to three-fifths of the diet in certain delta regions. Scat analysis consistently shows a high frequency of fish remains. Beyond finned fish, these cats regularly consume other organisms found in the water and along the banks, including crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp, mollusks, and amphibians, particularly frogs. The specific composition of prey is dictated by local availability in the rivers, swamps, and coastal areas where the cat lives.
Terrestrial and Opportunistic Food Sources
The fishing cat is an opportunistic predator and scavenger, maintaining a diverse diet that extends beyond water-dwelling animals. This versatility is important during dry seasons or when fish populations are depleted. Studies in human-dominated landscapes have shown that mammals, primarily small rodents and shrews, can be a major component of the diet.
Birds, often water birds or ground-nesting species, are also frequently preyed upon. The cat will also consume reptiles like snakes and lizards, as well as insects. Larger prey, such as small civets or domestic animals like poultry, are occasionally taken. The fishing cat is also known to scavenge, having been observed feeding on the carrion of larger animals like cattle.
Specialized Hunting Techniques
The fishing cat is physically and behaviorally adapted for its unique semi-aquatic hunting niche. Its paws feature partial webbing between the toes, which aids in swimming and maneuvering in the muddy terrain of wetlands. The claws are only partially retractable, which facilitates better grip on slippery prey like fish and helps anchor the cat in the mud. The cat also possesses a double-layered coat of fur that helps keep its skin warm and dry while submerged.
The cat employs distinct strategies depending on the water depth. In deeper waters, it often uses a “sit-and-wait” approach, patiently watching the water’s edge for movement, sometimes spending over half its hunting time waiting. Once prey is spotted, the cat may use its paw to scoop the fish out of the water, or it may dive in to pursue the catch.
In shallow water, the cat switches to a more active hunting mode, patrolling the area and using its paws to flush out hidden fish. Another observed method involves the cat tapping the water surface with its paw to mimic the vibrations of an insect, successfully luring fish closer to the bank. The cat is a strong swimmer and can even dive completely underwater to catch prey, occasionally resurfacing under aquatic birds to secure a meal.