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Traeholt, C.; Idris, M.
Diurnal rhythm and feeding preference of flat-headed cat, in seminatural conditions
2011 Cat News (55): 14-16
The flat-headed cat _Prionailurus planiceps_ is one of the smallest species of wild cats in Southeast Asia. It has partly webbed feet and is known to be semi-aquatic. Its main distribution ranges include Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo but little else is known about the ecology of this species in the wild as well as in captivity. This study took place in a 70 m2 semi-natural enclosure over a period of three weeks in Sg Dusun Wildlife Reserve, Malaysia. Using automatic infrared still and video cameras a pair of adult flat-headed cats was studied. The results revealed crepuscular diurnal activity irrespective of feeding times. Feeding trials using four kinds of food (quail, amphibian, rat, fish) did not reveal any preference for the type of food, but there was a tendency to kill larger prey (rat, quail) with a bite to the back of the head/neck and then devour the prey head first. The study also revealed frequent scent marking by the male.
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