Conservation status: Vulnerable.

Distribution: Living in fragmented pockets, the fishing cat ranges from Sir Lanka and the southern tip of India to Mangalore, Sind, Nepal, Bangladesh, Assam and Burma to south-east Asia, Sumutra, Bali and Taiwan.

Size: Larger than a leopard cat or rusty-spotted cat, the fishing cat is about 72–86 cm long with a relatively short tail of between 23 and 30 cm.

Appearance: It has a gray-brown coat with rows of black or dark-brown spots, which begin as four or more thick dark stripes on the head. The fishing cat has a 'boofier' shape to its face than most other small cats and a long snout. It has relatively small, black-backed ears with a white spot on each. Probably it's most distinctive feature is the webbing between the toes of its forepaws, which allow it to swim better and scoop fish out of the water.

History: The fishing cat sometimes lives close to human habitation, but is also hunted for its fur. Protected in India, it is said to be threatened in some areas and is on CITES Appendix II.

Common names/Species list:

Prionailurus viverrinus viverrinus - Fishing cat (India, Southeast Asian mainland, Sumatra)
Prionailurus viverrinus risophores - Fishing cat (Java, Bali)