IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Iwaniuk, A.N.; Blankstein, W.G.; Whishaw, I.Q. | |
| Observations of the feeding behaviour of fishing cats (_Prionailurus viverrinus_) | |
| 2001 Mammalia (65): 89-91 | |
The fishing cat (_Prionailurus viverrinus_) is a medium-sized felid (up to 15 kg) which is found discontinuously throughout southeastern Asia. Little is known about the habits of these felids, but it has been suggested that they inhabit riverine areas and frequently enter water to hunt for fish, amphibians and molluscs (Lekagul and McNeely 1977 ; Ley hausen 1979). There are only two written accounts of the prey capture behaviour of wild fishing cats. Hoogerwerf (1970) observed a fishing cat using its forepaw to scoop out fish and Breeden (1989) observed a single female capturing and *' playing " with a fish in shallow water. Similar observations have been recorded in captive fishing cats (C. White (1912) in Gudger 1925 ; Leyhausen 1979), but there is no direct evidence of food-washing or searching for prey with the forepaws in fishing cats. We therefore present a behavioural description of forepaw using during prey capture and feeding in fishing cats. Four adult fishing cats (2 males, 2 females) were observed at the Mountain View Breeding Farms Conservation and Breeding Center in Langley, British Columbia, Canada. As part of their feeding regime, they were fed calf meat, one day old chicks, chicken necks, and live quail (_Coturnix coturnix_). |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |