Trivia question for Jun-21-2011

Carter loves big cats and even though this on is small, he still loves them.  Lets see how you do with figuring out what this is.  These guys dive head first into water to pursue fish.

An adult of these cats are about twice the size of a domestic cat, with a head and body length that typically ranges from 22 to 31 in, and a 7.9 to 12 in long tail. A few much larger individuals have been reported, of up to 45 inches in head-body length. Adults can weigh from 11 to 35 lb.

Inter-digital webs on its paws help the cat gain better traction in muddy environments and water, like other mammals living in semi-aquatic environments.

So here are Carter’s questions:  Tell us what kind of feline this is and where they can be found.  Also, these guys are listed as ‘Threatened’ and even as ‘Endangered’ in parts of its range.  Tell us what is causing their decline?

Good Luck 😉

Answer:

Congratulations to Andrée from Ottawa Canada for sending us the kind email and getting the trivia correct.  The little feline we featured is known as the Fishing Cat.

The Fishing Cat is a medium-sized wild cat of South and Southeast Asia. In 2008, the IUCN classified the fishing cat as endangered since they are concentrated primarily in wetland habitats, which are increasingly being settled, degraded and converted. Over the last decade, the fishing cat population throughout much of its Asian range decline severely. The main threats include the fur trade and habitat destruction.  Humans also kill fishing cats that steal their chickens and raid their local fisheries.

Like its closest relative, the leopard cat, the fishing cat lives along rivers, streams and mangrove swamps. It is well adapted to this habitat, being an eager and skilled swimmer.  Here is more on these skilled fishermen: Fishing Cat

Thanks for playing along 😉