Wild Cat in Colombo | The Fishing Cat



Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is widely distributed in south and southeastern Asia (Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal, Cambodia, and Myanmar). They are strongly associated with wetlands. Unlike most feline species, these guys love water. They are good swimmers who are adapted for semi-aquatic life.

Colombo is accredited as a wetland city by RAMSAR during the 13th Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP13) in Dubai on 25 October 2018. Beddagana Wetland, Diyasaru wetland and Thalangama wetland are the most famous wetlands in Colombo. These urban wetlands are doing great service better than politicians. Moreover, they are home to many special living species such as this Fishing Cats. Therefore, finding a Fishing Cat in Colombo is possible. But hard. Furthermore, they are also found in other places such as. Koggala lakeshore, Kumana mangroves, Wasgamuwa National Park, Pottuvil, Kantalai, and most riparian forests.

Beddagana Wetland Park


Fishing Cats have almost the same appearance as domestic cats, but bigger. Smaller than a Leopard. The black stripes starting from the head are changing into longitudinal spot patterns on their olive-grey fur coat. The underside has white fur with black spots and stripes. Two black stripes on each cheek. The back of their short and rounded ears are black with prominent white spot. Elongated muzzle with a broad forehead.  They have a thick tail with a series of incomplete rings and a solid black tip. The tail is less than half its body length. Fishing Cats have short legs and a powerful build. Average adult weight about 8-16kg.

Fishing Cat in Dehiwala Zoological Garden


When it comes to their food, they prey on fish like in their name. rodents and birds are also included. Fishing Cats are nocturnal. There are records of stealing fish from ponds in home gardens at night. There is a little amount of data about the behavior of Fishing Cats. They seem to be solitary animals. Females have a 63-70 days gestation period. New-born kittens weigh around 170g and open their eyes in 16 days in captivity. Fishing Cats have a lifespan of about 12 years.

Fishing Cat dropping at Bellanwila-Attidiya Wetland


Fishing Cats are listed as Vulnerable in IUCN red list. The biggest threat they are facing is habitat loss and fragmentation due to agricultural and urban development. Also, road kills have been reported. The sad news about roadkills is, some people don’t care if they hit animals by vehicle. Therefore, it has to die painfully. Don’t forget about snares. Remember what happened to that Black Leopard. Sometimes people kill Fishing Cats for food but this is not a common practice. Sometimes this may occur if people found roadkill. I heard it a few weeks ago!

Roadkill ( Photo Credits to original owner)


Fishing Cats are protected by law in Sri Lanka.  They are listed as a strictly protected mammal in the Fauna and Flora Protection (Amendment) Act, No. 22 of 2009, under Schedule ll. Several organizations in Sri Lanka such as Urban Fishing Cat Conservation Project are working on Fishing Cat conservation.  




Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

Genus: Prionailurus

Species: viverrinus

-Naturalist Bro-

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