Fishing Cat

wild cat · wetlands hunter · excellent swimmer · Asia

Expert fisher. Unlike most house cats, fishing cats love water and are amazing swimmers. They can even dive underwater to catch fish, using their skills like a tiny aquatic hunter.

Spotted and striped. Fishing cats have yellowish-grey fur covered with black lines and spots that help them blend into their swampy homes. Males are noticeably bigger than females, weighing up to 17 kg compared to females at around 6 to 9 kg.

Night hunters. These cats are mostly active at night, sneaking through rivers, streams, and mangroves to search for food. They live in South and Southeast Asia where wetlands give them plenty of places to hunt.

Varied menu. While fish are their favorite meal, fishing cats will also eat birds, frogs, snakes, insects, and small rodents. They're not picky eaters and will even eat leftover meals from cattle.

Medium-sized beauty. A fishing cat's body is 57 to 78 cm long with a short 20 to 30 cm tail, making them bigger than a house cat but smaller than a leopard.