Joel Hendon

The Fabulous Fishing Cats: Felines That Are Not Afraid Of Water, Naturally


Posted: Monday, February 14, 2011

by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html

Fishing Cats are a medium sized cat, considerably larger than the common domestic cats yet not in the large size grouping. They normally are about 2 to 2-1/2 feet in body-head length. Their coloring is similar to those of the “tabby” cats with stripes and spots over much of their body. Adults may weigh anywhere from 12 to 35 pounds.

Fishing cats have olive-grey fur with dark spots arranged in horizontal streaks running along the length of the body. The underside is white, and the back of the ears are black with central white spots. There are a pair of dark stripes around the throat, and a number of black rings on the tail. (Wikipedia)(Photo also from Wikipedia)

The range where fishing cats are found is quite vast but scattered, they are known to exist from eastern Pakistan through portions of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, throughout Bangladesh and Mainland Southeast Asia to Sumatra and Java.

They are almost exclusively found along rivers and near lakes since their diet is largely fish. Unlike the domestic cats which are mostly afraid of water, and have an aversion to it, these cats are sustained from it and will go into it without hesitation. They normally roam and/or fish, alone and mostly at night. They mark their territories by urine sprays or rubbing their cheeks on rocks and bushes.

Some of these cats have learned to sit quietly at the waters edge and tap the surface lightly with its paw which resembles the sound and movement of insects on the surface, and draws fish to them. When swimming, the fishing cat may use its short, flattened tail like a rudder, helping control its direction in the water.

Here are some videos which give a good showing of their fishing expertise.

This one gives a number of different brief actions of the cats. Click Here

Here is a more extended hunt and fishing expedition: Click Here

This one includes hunting and fishing for supper and the supper: Click Here

This one is an informative narration of one in captivity by the official: Click Here

Here is a regular house cat in an amusing fishing situation: Click Here
Author Biography: Joel Hendon was born near Gadsden Alabama. He attended public schools in Cherokee County, Alabama and after serving a tour of duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, attended Jacksonville State University, majoring in Business Administration. He became a Christian in 1948, and although he followed secular work as a career and retired from Allied Signal Aerospace, he is an avid student of the Holy Bible and related works as well as biblical history. He has an extensive website of conservative religious and political articles.http://hebronics.org/index.html

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Marijo Phelps
 1 year 72 days ago.
141 fans.
Oh, how fun! Cats I have missed and thought at the beginning of your piece maybe they were in Texas (never saw any when i lived there though) Very informative!
» left by Joel Hendon 1 year 72 days ago.
125 fans.

 
Thanks again Marijo. Yes, I just happened to run into these while doing some research. I wish I owned on of these cats. I'd take her fishing. They are better at catching fish than I am.
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