fishing cat
fishing cat, (species Felis viverrina), tropical cat of the family Felidae, found in India and Southeast Asia. The coat of the fishing cat is pale gray to deep brownish gray and marked with dark spots and streaks. The adult animal stands about 40 cm (16 inches) at the shoulder, weighs 8β11 kg (18β24 pounds), and is from 60 to 85 cm long, excluding the black-ringed tail, which accounts for an additional 25β30 cm. The fishing cat lives near water and in jungles, reed beds, and marshes. It is reported to fish by scooping its prey out of the water.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
Citation Information
Article Title:
fishing cat
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
05 April 2020
Access Date:
November 14, 2026