27~ Fishing Cat ~

More about 27~ Fishing Cat ~

**Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) - South & Southeast Asia (including Sri Lanka) - threatened/wetland specialist

Status: Vulnerable / Endangered locally (wetland specialist in Asia including Sri Lanka).

Range / Countries: South & Southeast Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, SE Asia).

Habitat: Mangroves, freshwater wetlands, marshes.

Diet: Fish, crustaceans, amphibians - strong swimmer.

Lifespan: ~10 years wild (varies).

Reproduction: Small litters; dependent on wetland integrity.

Ecological role: Predator that indicates healthy wetland food webs.

Main threats: Wetland drainage, pollution, conflict with fishermen.

Conservation notes: Protect wetlands, reduce human-cat conflict, and restore mangrove ecosystems.

[The fishing cat is a shy wetland hunter and a bellwether for mangrove and freshwater health; protecting it means protecting fish, people and flood defenses. Its partly webbed paws and reflections in shallow water make great visual motifs.]

2025 October 05