Fishing cat at home. The fishing cat is a predatory animal at home. Domestic fishing cat - what is its price?

The fishing cat or civet cat has recently attracted great interest among exotic lovers. There are also frequent attempts to keep it at home.

It should be remembered that this is not a breed of domestic cat, it is a natural variety of a wild predator. In order for coexistence to be comfortable for everyone, it is necessary to know everything about this rare species.

Fishing cats have been known to the indigenous populations of many Asian countries since ancient times. These animals preferred to hide in the thickets of the tropical jungle during the day, so for a long time there were only legends about the ghost cat.

During the development of new territories, extensive deforestation and drainage of wetlands began. Viverrid cats had to adapt to new living conditions; they became more noticeable to people and, unfortunately, became objects of hunting.

Local healers consider almost all parts of the animal’s body valuable, from which they brew numerous potions.

Hunters continue to catch civet kittens for sale, despite the fact that in most countries in the animal's natural range, these actions are punishable by law.

The name of the species was given by the English zoologist and writer Edward Turner Bennett in 1833, having described in detail the morphology and color of the cat, which in India was called “fishing cat”.

In 1958, the name Prionailurus was proposed to the new species by the Russian researcher and naturalist Nikolai Severtsev as a common name for the spotted cat species of Asia, and the name Felis viverrinus rhizophoreus was given by the Dutch scientist Henri Jacob Victor Sodi in 1936. He described in detail the Viverrid cat caught on the coast of West Java. This individual has a slightly shorter skull than specimens previously found in Thailand.

Today, the unique animal has many names - Viverrid, Speckled, Fish, Fisherman, Asian fish cat, Fish cat.

The name Speckled is associated with the fur pattern - the cat's entire body is covered with dark specks.

Viverrid means similar to the tropical predatory mammal civet or civet, mainly due to its secretive lifestyle. The cat is called a fisherman due to its preferences in hunting, fishing and nutrition.

The names of the predator in local dialects are also interesting. In Assamese it is Meseka (fish), in Bengali it is Maha-bagrol or Bagh-Dasha. Maha means fish and Bagha means tiger. In Hindi, the name of the Fishing Cat sounds like Ban-Biral, in Telugu - Bavuru-pilly (wild cat), in Sinhala - Handun Divya, in Thai - Sea-Pla (fish tiger). In Myanmar, this predator is called Kuanga-ta-nga. "Kuanga" means "cat" and "ta-nga" means "fisherman".

Description and natural habitat of the Fishing Cat

Prionailurus viverrinus is a species of wild cat that lives throughout the south-eastern lands of Asia.

The fishing cat is a relative of the Far Eastern cat; it has a similar structure and parameters, but is much larger in size.

It is an indigenous inhabitant of the Asian tropics and subtropics, located in India, Indochina, in the forest and coastal regions of Ceylon, Sumatra, and the Java Peninsula. Countries that are also inhabited by this species are Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia.

The biotopic type of residence of the civet cat is forest zones adjacent to any bodies of water - swamps, lakes, leisurely rivers, tidal areas with thickets of mangroves with roots deep under water. It is here, in the interweaving of mangrove branches, that most of the life of the Speckled Cat comes; here it hunts, builds dens, and hides from humans and other enemies.

It is almost impossible to see the Fishing Cat in the mangrove jungle; it is an invisible predator, so careful that a person can walk a few meters from the animal without noticing it.

Some populations are also found in the high mountain regions of the Himalayas, near mountain streams located at an altitude of about two thousand meters above sea level.

Important! Do not confuse the fishing cat with the house cat. The latter is also called read in a separate article.

Viverrid cats belong to the medium-sized cat subspecies. Males are distinguished by their powerful and large bodies, weighing up to 15-17 kg; females are usually at least half as large.

The length of an adult male reaches 120 cm with a height at the withers of about 40 cm. This is a very strong animal with a powerful and strong bone structure.

The head is not too large and long, but wide at the cheekbones. The nose is wide and smooth, with virtually no bridge. The lobe is voluminous, pink, with large nostrils.

The ears are small, set low and located almost on the sides of the head.

The predator has very powerful jaws, for which it is often called the pit bull of the cat world.

The forehead is rounded. The neck is short and powerful. Small eyes are round in shape, the color of the cornea is golden or green-yellow, the dark pupil is elongated vertically.

The limbs are squat and strong. A short tail with dark rings at the end, very wide at the base.

The coat is thick, medium length, grayish or olive-brown in color with a black speckled pattern.

In terms of body shape, thickness of hair, and color, it is very reminiscent of tropical civets; it may well be that in the ancient eras of the planet these were blood relatives, whose descendants followed their own branches of development.

Like most wild cats, the Fishing Cat has a characteristic mask on its face, consisting of bright dark and white stripes on the cheekbones, ear flaps, forehead, and around the eye shells. On the back of the ears there are false “eyes” - snow spots on a charcoal background. In the darkness of the tropical jungle, the cubs are guided by them, following their mother.

Much of the body structure is focused on excellent swimmer qualities - small ears are almost always pressed to the head, a wide nose without a bridge of the nose facilitates underwater breathing, short powerful paws have webbed formations between the toes. They prevent the cat from fully retracting its claws, but they perfectly keep it afloat and help in hunting for fish.

The civet cat dives well and can even hold its breath for a long time.

Densely packed, stiff wool has excellent lubrication and unique water-repellent properties.

The civet cat has two subspecies:

• Prionailurus viverrinus viverrinus lives mainly in India, Southeast Asia and Sumatra, and is large in size.
• Prionailurus viverrinus risophores is common in the Java Peninsula and Bali and is a smaller carnivore.

Character, temperament

The civet cat is mainly nocturnal and always lives near water. It can climb trees, but very rarely does this; it mainly wanders in shallow water in search of prey.

Very smart and cunning, luring the victim, it hits the water with its paw. When there are ripples on the surface of a reservoir, underwater inhabitants think that this is the movement of insects and rise to the top. An adult is capable of swimming long distances, up to several kilometers.

Sexually mature females and males lead a solitary lifestyle, carefully marking their habitat with their own scent, secretions and claw marks on trees and protecting their territory. So, a female is able to control from 6 to 8 square meters. km., and the male from 16 to 22.

When in danger, adult animals make a characteristic sound reminiscent of laughter.

These are very brave animals, capable of even coping with a leopard or a pack of dogs alone, but they always avoid meeting people.

The speckled cat is available for socialization. The behavior of a civet cat when living next to a person is described below.

Health and nutrition

In its natural habitat, the lion's share of the Speckled Cat's food is fish, which makes up more than three-quarters of the diet.

At dusk, the predator goes hunting; to do this, it simply sits on the shore of a reservoir, waiting for prey, occasionally hitting the surface of the water with its paw. If necessary, he is able to dive and sink to the bottom for fish. The rest of the Fishing Cat's diet consists of birds, insects, small rodents, mollusks, reptiles, amphibians, carrion, and occasionally livestock no larger than a lamb.

An adult can eat 1.5-2 kg of fish per day.

Viverrid cats are distinguished by excellent health. When living at home, no problems usually arise. But, like all domestic cats, it is subject to mandatory...

In captivity, the life expectancy of the Speckled Cat is 20-25 years, in natural conditions it is less - 10-15.

Puberty and reproduction

Since this animal leads an extremely secretive lifestyle, it has been studied very little and the reproductive characteristics of the Viverrid cat in natural conditions are practically unknown.

In zoos and nature reserves, the Speckled Cat is able to reproduce year-round; it does not have a clearly defined period of sexual heat; males and females are slightly more active in February-March.

The duration of pregnancy for females ranges from 62 to 72 days. During this period, the male does not leave his friend, lives nearby, takes care of her food, and helps set up her den. The pregnancy of a Viverra cat ends with the birth of two or three small babies (170-200 grams).

In the first three months of life, kittens feed primarily on mother's milk. After thirty days they are already quite active, from two months they begin to play in the water and taste solid food, although they continue to suckle their mother until six months.

The parents take care of the kittens together until they are fully grown and trained in hunting skills. By eight and a half months, adolescents reach the size of an adult animal, but powerful “pit bull” fangs grow only by 11 months, and puberty occurs after 15-18 months.

The fishing cat does his best to avoid communicating with humans in the wild, because this is perhaps his main enemy, which has been exterminating the population for centuries.

The civet cat never attacks people first, and a baby born in captivity and taken from its mother early can, with some reservations, become a pet.

It should be mentioned that in many countries of the world the keeping and breeding of these animals is prohibited.

Quite a lot of Fishing Cats are kept in European zoos in special large enclosures with artificial ponds and in nature reserves around the world.

If the owner of the Fishing Cat strictly follows the breeder’s requirements and follows all his recommendations, then there is a chance that the kitten will grow into a fairly adequate animal. At the same time, we must not forget that this is a wild predator and its behavior can never be completely predictable.

Breeders recommend choosing females as pets, since males, upon reaching sexual maturity, even despite early maturity, can retain an aggressive streak and actively mark their territory with the help of physiological secretions and marks from claws and teeth.

When raising a kitten, a special approach is required. The Viverra cat has a rather complex and capricious temperament, but at the same time it is a very smart and intellectually developed creature.

It is advisable to pick up a kitten from a breeder at two months of age, then its adaptation to a new place will be faster and easier. In order for the young Fisherman to quickly get used to a new place, he needs to be surrounded with warmth and care, and fed by hand more often.

You need to be very careful when training to use the litter box. You cannot raise your voice at your pet, beat or punish. Only suggestions in a stern voice, encouragement and treats are allowed.

The speckled cat is suspicious of other pets, but prefers not to engage in open confrontations.

You need to play with the baby a lot and for a long time, but in no case with an open hand; you can only use special swings, balls, and other toys. You should not blow into the animal’s nose, as is often done with domestic cats. The speckled cat will simply wave it off with its paws and can cause serious injury to a person.

The Fishing Cat is very fond of playing in the water and the pet needs to be provided with the opportunity for such fun.

If there is no way to arrange a special pond for the cat, then in the apartment you can fill the bathtub with water once a day, it is advisable to put live fish in there and allow the baby to hunt.

They should be fed fresh fish and lean meat, live mice can be given, and the use of vitamin complexes is acceptable. The daily amount of food for an adult animal is about 1.5 kg.

It must be remembered that if you keep a kitten in an enclosure from a young age, it will never grow up to be a tame pet.

A male kitten should be especially carefully monitored during puberty, and it is better to carry out complete sterilization before 8 months. Everyone knows the story of Davis the Fishing Cat, who was an excellent pet until he was one and a half years old, but after he grew up, he began to show signs of aggression and the owners had to part with their beloved savage.

A civet cat, properly raised, will, as it grows up, feel the members of its family in all members of the household, remaining the same kid at heart. Therefore, even a mature pet requires a lot of attention.

Punishment should never be carried out using physical force or raising your voice. A severe reprimand is enough; you can lock the cat alone for a while; a smart animal will quickly understand its guilt.

Purchasing a civet kitten

In order to purchase this exotic animal, a special permit from the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources is required, since the Fishing Cat is listed in the International Red Book (CITES 2) and is protected.

You can buy a kitten only in special nurseries in which all breeding animals were born in the country of purchase, have permits and are legal. However, due to the adoption of new restrictive laws in Russia on the keeping of wild animals, this is becoming increasingly difficult to do.

The cost of an animal in our country starts from 300 thousand rubles, in the world - from 10 thousand dollars.

Interesting facts about the Fisherman cat

• The fishing cat has a unique jaw structure and very powerful fangs, allowing it to hunt large prey. This is a true "feline pit bull terrier".
• False “eyes” on the back of the ears are also an indicator of the animal’s condition. If they are not visible, it means that the ears are pressed to the head, and the cat is angry and dangerous.
• The size of female Anglers corresponds to the size of an ordinary domestic cat with a more powerful build, but males are at least twice as large.
• When diving, a civet cat is able to press its ears very tightly to its head, protecting them from water.
• The Speckled Cat's nose also has a special structure that allows it to hold its breath and prevent water from entering the respiratory tract.

The Internet is replete with funny photos and videos about how cats don’t like to bathe. Meanwhile, there is a family that not only loves to swim and swims well, but most often obtains food in the water.

These wild cats are called by many names: fish cat, fishing cat, speckled cat, fishing cat. In Latin the name of the species is Prionalurus viveirrinus, which is understandable, because Both in appearance and in name, the speckled cat resembles a civet (in Latin viverra).

The color of the fishing cat's coat is brownish-gray, the stripes on the head are replaced by spots on the body. The color of the fish cat provides maximum camouflage in the coastal mangroves of Southeast Asia, where it lives in tropical and subtropical forests at altitudes of up to 1,500 meters above sea level.

In order for the civet cat to easily dive and swim, its ears are small and low-set, the bridge of the nose is almost absent, the tail is short and thick, and there are webbed feet.

Wild civet cats are twice the size of their average domestic relatives, and males are larger than females.

The fish cat's diet mainly consists of fish, but it can also eat all small living creatures that fly, jump and crawl near water bodies. Sometimes the fish cat attacks domestic animals and birds.

The fishing cat can climb trees, but does not like to do it. The fish cat is more willing to walk in shallow water and swim. Viverrid cats, like most cats, are individualists, leading an isolated lifestyle and controlling their territory.

The civet fishing cat is listed in the Red Book and one of the main problems threatening its existence is the destruction by people of its habitual habitats. By the way, a similar problem is typical for the habitats of the Australian panda.

In captivity, male civet fishing cats help the female take care of her kittens (however, it is unknown whether they behave as gentlemanly in the wild...). Female fishing cats can become pregnant and bear offspring year-round. There are usually two or three blind kittens in a litter; after a couple of weeks they begin to see, and become adults after nine months.

In the wild, a fish cat tries not to meet a person, although his character cannot be called timid. Rather, on the contrary, the civet fishing cat is considered pugnacious and often conflicts with its neighbors. This, however, does not prevent young animals from being domesticated and tamed. Sometimes civet cats fish, and sometimes together with ordinary cats, but this is a rather risky business. After all, a fishing cat is a wild cat, not a domestic cat!

Although at the zoo, watching speckled cats and kittens is no less interesting than admiring our usual furry pets.

The civet cat is a unique Asian predator. Unlike its relatives, it is not only not afraid of water, but even frolics with pleasure in bodies of water, without fear of great depths. For this unique feature, the animal received several names: fishing cat, water cat or fish cat. Due to its spotted color, similar to the color of the Far Eastern cat, it is sometimes called speckled.

Origin story

Viverrid fishing cats have lived for a long time in India, Indochina, as well as on the islands of Bali, Java, and Sumatra. Since their main place of residence was the impenetrable jungle, for a long time people did not suspect the existence of this breed. During the period of human development of new lands, the habitat of predators was significantly reduced due to the drainage of swamps, deforestation and development of territories. Their numbers have decreased significantly, especially on the islands of the Malay Archipelago.

Today, fishing cats are on the verge of extinction and are therefore listed in the International Red Book. According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), hunting them is strictly prohibited.

Despite the prohibitions, local aborigines mercilessly catch fish cats and resell them by smuggling abroad. In addition to the thirst for profit, animals are hunted for the healing properties of their individual body parts, bones and skin. Particularly rare and valuable healing potions in Eastern medicine are brewed from them.

Appearance

The civet cat received its Latin specific name Prionailurus viverrinus due to its external resemblance to the predatory mammals civets. A distinctive feature of the animals are black spots and stripes placed in a row along the body. This color allows for excellent camouflage in the bushes.

Thanks to its unique color, the predator is fluent in the art of camouflage.

Table: description of the fishing cat

Fishing cats have 2 unique anatomical features that set them apart from many other breeds:

1. The absence of a bridge of the nose in the presence of a wide and large nose, which allows the animal to stay under water for a long time and hold its breath.
2. The presence of membranes between the toes of the front paws prevents them from retracting their claws, but helps them dive, swim and fish with ease.

Viverrid fishing cat in the wild

Viverrid fishing cats belong to the family of oriental cats, and therefore live exclusively in Asia. Here, in tropical latitudes, they feel as comfortable as possible due to the presence of a large number of reservoirs, high air humidity, plenty of precipitation, and slight seasonal temperature fluctuations. Life expectancy in the wild is 13 years.

Habitat and lifestyle

Water cats live separately from other animals and avoid meeting people in every possible way. They can be found in jungles, especially mangrove forests, which provide a buffer zone between sea and land. The unique natural ecosystem creates favorable conditions for the habitat of predators, primarily because the territory is almost impassable for humans due to dense thickets of bushes, an abundance of swamps and rivers.

The mangrove forest is the main habitat of fishing cats

Viverrid cats have a cocky character, so they get along poorly not only with other predators, but even with their relatives. They spend most of their time frolicking in a pond or walking in shallow water. Climbing trees is problematic for them due to their massive body. At night they are awake, and during the day they prefer to rest in shelter.

The favorite pastime of water cats is hunting for fish. They can sit for a long time on the shore of a reservoir, waiting, and then with one well-aimed jump or blow of a clawed paw, get the desired prey. Sometimes predators use a little trick: by touching the surface of the water with their paws, they imitate the movement of insects, while the body remains motionless. A fish passing by, interested in the bait, quickly becomes a victim of the civet cat. In search of food, the animal is able to dive to depths to get fish.

Civets love to hunt for fish

In addition to fish, the predator feeds on:

• crabs;
• snails;
• frogs;
• snakes;
• birds;
• mice;
• insects.

Thanks to its powerful body and strong limbs, the water cat can defeat enemies larger than it. That is why, in exceptional cases, he hunts larger mammals (tiger, gibbon, etc.). There is a known case when a fish cat kept in a zoo accidentally entered a leopard's cage and killed it.

Reproduction and care of offspring

Puberty begins in viverrid cats at the age of 2–3 years. Animals breed all year round, but the main mating time is in autumn. Pregnancy lasts 63–70 days, so offspring usually appear in January–February. 2–3 kittens are born at once. Vision comes to them in the second week of life, they fully mature and become independent by 9 months.

Speckled cat takes care of her offspring

Video: fishing cat in its natural habitat

Keeping a civet cat at home

In captivity, fishing cats live on average 15–20 years, but only with proper care, maintenance and diet. For domestic living, it is better to take a female, since she is less aggressive than a male (cats tend to dominate and become uncontrollable during puberty). It is advisable for the pet to live with its owners, and not in a separate enclosure on a personal plot. Otherwise, he will not be able to socialize and will forever remain a wild predator.

From the first days a kitten appears in the house, it should be surrounded with affection, care and attention. In order for him to quickly get used to the household and adapt to the new environment, at first he should be fed by hand. Over time, the pet will not only begin to trust people, but will also be able to make friends with other pets (cats, dogs).

However, one should take into account the fact that an exotic predator does not deny itself the pleasure of feasting on those it rightfully considers weaker. That is why it is extremely undesirable to leave him alone with other pets for a long time.

Due to the wayward nature of the fishing cat, conflicts with other pets are possible, so the owner needs to be on guard

The civet cat is a little-studied and wild breed, so I strongly do not recommend getting such a pet for beginners who do not have experience with predators. It will not be possible to completely domesticate and tame an animal: sooner or later instincts will take over. A powerful and strong pet, twice the size of an ordinary domestic cat, can cause wounds or injuries to household members, and in the worst case scenario, even take lives.

Features of care

The features of caring for a civet cat are not much different from keeping an ordinary domestic cat: its fur is also combed, and its claws are trimmed if necessary. Your pet should be accustomed to trimming its nails from the first months of its life so that it has time to get used to the procedure. If the right moment is missed, then it is undesirable to subject an adult to such manipulations: when frightened, the animal can injure its owner. It is not worth provoking aggression in a predator, as this is fraught with dire consequences.

Caring for the fur does not cause much trouble, since the fishing cat’s coat is quite hard, short, and almost does not shed. Particular attention should be paid to water procedures: the exotic predator loves to swim, so it is advisable to equip it with a small pool in the garden (if possible). Sometimes you can add live fish into the tank so that your pet can at least partially satisfy its hunting instincts. If the animal lives in an apartment, the best solution would be for the civet to take a bath. It is recommended to throw toys (for example, plastic fish) into the water to make water procedures more fun and interesting for the cat.

The fishing cat loves regular water treatments

Despite the fact that the exotic predator naturally has good immunity, it needs to be vaccinated regularly: vaccinate twice with a complex vaccine until the teeth are completely replaced, and then repeat the vaccination annually. Males can only be castrated up to eight months of age.

Feeding

In the first months of life, a civet kitten should be fed exclusively with live food - dry ready-made food (even premium food) can cause irreparable harm to health. The body of a growing baby is very sensitive, so only an experienced specialist can create the right diet.

If the animal was purchased from a nursery, it is advisable to constantly maintain contact with the breeders: they will give competent advice and consultations.

The main diet of an adult is fish and raw meat with bones (beef and poultry are suitable). A pet eats 0.5–1.4 kg of food per day. It is impossible to replace natural food with dry analogues for ordinary domestic cats, since they do not contain enough nutrients necessary for the predator.

The main part of the water cat's diet is fish.

Since a speckled cat is a rarity in the home, there is very little reliable information about its nutrition on the Internet. From personal experience, I can say that predators often need to be given live food to improve the functioning of the digestive system. Unfortunately, not all owners of exotic animals can withstand such a spectacle, so they rush to replace the necessary food with frozen carcasses or food from manufacturers. This greatly harms the pet's health and reduces its life expectancy.

Upbringing

From the first months of life, a water cat needs to be trained to use a litter tray. For a baby, a regular small pet tray is suitable; for an adult, a container measuring 60 by 100 cm is suitable. It is recommended to use wood filler. If your pet went to the toilet in the wrong place, you need to point him to the correct litter box, but do not hit or punish him: just verbally scold him.

It is also necessary to train the civet to a collar and leash. At first, put on a loose collar, tightening it a little each time. Soon the pet will stop paying attention to the strange object and will perceive it adequately. This will allow you to take your exotic cat for safe walks outside. It should be remembered that the animal loves space and in the warm season will happily relax with its owner in the fresh air. A collar with a leash will guarantee that your pet will not run away.

I strongly do not recommend letting your pet off the leash, even in a seemingly safe area (outside the city, in nature, away from people). Even the most docile and obedient animal can lose control from overexcitement and stop obeying its owner. The predator's natural hunting instincts are activated, which inevitably results in escape. This advice applies not only to exotic cats, but also to dogs (especially fighting breeds).

It is advisable to provide a place for the civet to rest in the house (chair, bedding, bed, etc.). You can train him to use a scratching post to preserve furniture and walls, but regular walks will be more effective than any household device. The fact is that on the street the cat wears its claws off on asphalt or trees, so the need to do similar manipulations at home will disappear on its own.

Your pet should have a private place to rest in the house.

Games are an essential element in raising a pet. The civet should have enough toys so that he does not get bored in his leisure time and directs his irrepressible energy in the right direction. Under no circumstances should the owner be allowed to play with his hand or foot. While the pet is small, abrasions will be insignificant, while an adult can inadvertently seriously injure a person without calculating the force.

Taming

The civet cat has high intelligence and an extraordinary mind, so it can be tamed no worse than a dog. However, certain difficulties in upbringing arise due to the hierarchical ladder that the pet builds for itself: the new family for it is a “pack”, and the owner is the “leader”. If the owner can become an authority for the civet, he will obey unquestioningly, but exclusively to him alone. The predator will stubbornly ignore the demands and requests of other household members.

In a family, a wyvern cat builds a hierarchy, like in a pack

With the onset of puberty, the male begins to actively mark the territory, leaving “odorous marks.” At this time, he strives to defend leadership in the “pack” and competes with the owner, becoming incredibly aggressive and wayward.

The story of a civet cat named John Davis, who lived in an ordinary family in Krasnoyarsk, is known for certain. As a child, he was unusually sweet and friendly, but in adulthood he began to perceive the women in the house as “females” and his owner as a “male” who needed to be driven out of his territory. Due to the aggressive behavior of the pet, they were forced to surrender it to the local zoo. To avoid such unpleasant situations, the kitten must be neutered in advance.

In general, it is easy to find a common language with a civet, but you need to remember that he is jealous and touchy. If the owner pays him enough attention, surrounds him with affection, care and at the same time shows him who is boss in the house, no problems will arise. Under no circumstances should you punish your pet for misbehavior using physical force. It must be remembered that at this moment the animal loses control over itself and thinks only about how to defend itself with the help of its claws. It is enough to strictly say “No” or blow in the face for the cat to realize his guilt. Another effective method is to lock your pet alone in the room. A smart animal will understand that the owner is offended by him.

Where to buy a civet kitten

Before purchasing a civet kitten, you must obtain special permission, since the animal has been listed in the International Red Book since 2008. In many countries, keeping a predator of this breed in captivity is punishable by law, but Russia is not yet one of them. The fashion for exotic cats is growing, so the number of nurseries is increasing every year. It is strongly recommended to contact trusted breeders who are officially registered and provide the necessary accompanying package of documents.

Viverrid cats are listed in the International Red Book

From personal experience, I can say with confidence that you can safely trust nurseries that advertise on the Internet and have their own personal website. Their price for animals is an order of magnitude higher than that of private individuals, but there is an exact guarantee that the purchased pet will not suddenly develop rare diseases and will not die the next day. The breeder provides comprehensive information about the pedigree and gives detailed advice on the care and maintenance of the water cat.

It is recommended to purchase a kitten no older than two months, with the necessary vaccinations. Give preference to the healthiest and most active baby from the litter. If the kitten is lethargic, passive, inert, it is better to refuse the purchase, since such symptoms may indicate the presence of serious diseases.

The cost of a civet kitten starts from 300,000 rubles.

It doesn’t really matter whether an Asian, American or wild fishing cat will live in the house, because it is more important to know everything about it and decide how appropriate this skillful fisherman will be in the house and whether it will be possible to cope with its temperament and provide the pet with everything it needs.

By the way, it’s easy to find out about an apartment for this and any other cat in the Sofia residential complex from Martynov on the corresponding website.

Fishing cat or civet cat

The civet fishing cat is a rather large, larger than a leopard cat, a member of the cat family. Lives mainly in southeast Asia: India, Indochina, Ceylon, Java, Thailand. They prefer to live in marshy areas overgrown with reeds, near ponds and streams. These cats have been in the International Red Book since 2008.

Is it possible to keep a fishing cat at home?

You can keep it at home, provided you have permission. But you need to understand that this is a wild animal and it needs space. Although he can get along with people, and even be affectionate sometimes. But in most countries it is illegal to keep civet cats at home.

Cat fisher breed: brief description and price, where and how to buy, how much it costs

This is a very large cat. It can weigh up to 16 kg, grows up to 120 cm in length, and the height at the withers is 40 cm. Females are smaller in size: their weight does not exceed 7.5 kg and their length is 70 cm. Anglers have a very strong body, they are stocky, with short legs and tail. The muzzle is large, wide, almost without a bridge of the nose, small low-set ears, a powerful jaw with sharp teeth, fangs can reach 3 cm in length. The color is gray-brown with black speckles, the coat is short and coarse. The tip of the tail is dark. Viverrid cats have membranes between their pads for better movement in the water.

Puberty occurs at the age of 2-3 years. These cats breed all year round, and most often there are 2-3 kittens in a litter.

It is necessary to buy kittens only in nurseries, at two months of age, after purchasing a permit. Such a kitty costs a lot in Russia; not everyone can afford the pleasure of 300 thousand rubles.

Is there a fishing cat in Russia or not?

There is no such cat in Russia. She is bought and kept only at home.

Viverrid cat at home care, nutrition, illness

- Feed the kitten from the moment of acquisition by hand so that it does not feel threatened in your presence;
- Play with them only with special toys, never with your hand;
- Don’t yell at him, because of his intelligence, he understands all voice commands;
- These cats have a great respect for fish, so feed them fish more often, and add uncooked beef and chicken with bones to their diet. These pussies eat up to 1500 grams per day. meat and fish;
— A domesticated fishing cat can get along with other animals, you just need to befriend them carefully;
— Perform water procedures daily;
- Provide the cat with a large space (the best solution is a large apartment, or better yet a country house;
- And lastly, you need to realize that this is a wild animal and a moment may come that you will have to part ways.

Be sure to vaccinate your pets just like other animals.

Is the fishing cat wild or domestic?

The fishing cat is a wild animal.

How does a fisherman cat hunt?

The cat, hiding, lies in wait for its prey on the shore. As soon as the fish swims close enough, it rushes into the water after it and with its powerful paw throws it ashore. If you can’t catch it right away, you can dive after it to any depth. Although it does not disdain crustaceans, frogs, and on land snakes, birds and small mammals.

Different cat breeds have their own characteristics. Perhaps the civet fishing cat is the best breed of cat, because judging by the name, such a pet can become a breadwinner for the whole family. But it's not like that at all.

Who is a civet fishing cat?

The civet fishing cat is an exceptionally wild animal. The scientific name of this species of the cat family is Prionailurus viverrinus. The animal belongs to the class of mammals, the order of carnivores, the cat family and the subfamily of small cats. The fishing cat is part of the general genus of eastern cats, which brings it closer to the Far Eastern wild cat.

The modern civet fishing cat has only two subspecies:

1. Prionailurus viverrinus viverrinus (they are slightly larger in size and live in India, southern Asia and Sumatra).
2. Prionailurus viverrinus risophores (habitat: Java Island and Bali Island).

The fishing cat got its name due to the similarity of its skin and appearance to the civet cat (viverrinus), although these are different species of mammals.

The civet fishing cat is considered a very rare species. The Convention for the International Protection of Endangered Species prohibits the capture and sale of these animals. Since 2008, the fishing cat has been listed in the International Red Book. The population has the conservation status of an endangered animal species.

It should be noted that the civet fishing cat carefully hides from people and tries to lead an inconspicuous lifestyle, as a result of which the history of the appearance of this species of animal is not precisely known.

The cat tries not to be seen by people and leads a very secretive lifestyle.

Description of the fishing cat

Like most wild predators, the appearance, habits and character of a fishing cat are entirely dependent on natural conditions. After all, hunting for prey is a process on which the life of a cat and its offspring depends, so it is necessary to have a coloring that is consistent with the general nature and a strong body.

The fishing cat is not afraid of water and is an excellent fisherman. This makes her different from other cats.

The animal swims and dives well in search of prey

External data

An adult civet fishing cat weighs up to 15 kg. The body can be from 96 to 120 cm in length, and the height at the withers can be from 38 to 40 cm. Moreover, cats are twice lighter and smaller than males.

The animals have a strong physique, characteristic of all representatives of the cat family. At the same time, the following external signs are considered to be the distinctive features of a fishing cat:

• short skull shape;
• practically absent bridge of the nose;
• round and very powerful jaw;
• ears are small and round in shape;
• short thick neck;
• short legs;
• shortened tail length;
• Webbing on the front paws between the toes.

The color allows the cat to remain invisible against the backdrop of wild nature.

The color of the civet fishing cat is standard: the skin is grayish-brown with black spots. The fur is thick, short, and has waterproof properties. The skin has a matte finish, which allows the angler to blend into the environment.

On land, the cat moves somewhat awkwardly, trying to cling to the ground. The tail is used for balancing while walking and swimming. It has the same thickness throughout its entire length, and in all cats it is always striped.

Character

The civet cat has the typical character of a predator. Typically, the female occupies a territory of up to 8 km². This space is enough for her not only to hunt, but also to feel safe for her cubs. An adult male fishing cat defends his rights to a much larger area - about 22 km².

Among the natives, fishermen have long been known as bullies and brawlers, although they avoid meeting people. Cats conflict not only with other animals, but also with each other if a stranger has violated the boundaries of someone’s territory. This is perhaps the most important quality in their character.

It is known for certain that once in an American zoo, a fishing cat broke out of its cage and killed a leopard in a fight. Therefore, we can say that it is not the custom of a wild cat to hide when meeting a larger and stronger predator.

Since zoological observations of fishing cats are very rare, and they are practically not kept in captivity, little is also known about the nature of the animals. The fisherman is very handsome and unusual in appearance, but his attractive appearance is in no way associated with the temperament of a serious killer cat.

The image of a “cute cat” does not fit in with the character of a cunning and strong predator

There is only one known case of a civet fishing cat living in Russia in a private house. During the period of puberty of the animal, the owners had to give the pet to the zoo, as he began to show aggression towards people around him.

Habitat

Viverrid fishing cats can be found in the tropics or subtropics. Therefore, they are accustomed to hot climates and have never seen snow. The optimal temperature for these cats is 25–30 degrees Celsius. Animals live in dense forests near swamps, rivers and lakes, which greatly alleviates the effects of heat. Geographically, the range of fishermen is the countries of Southeast Asia:

• India;
• Indochina;
• Ceylon;
• Sumatra;

At the same time, cats from the island of Java are significantly inferior in size to their relatives from the continent.

The damp, dense forests of Asia are the favorite habitat of fishing cats

Nutrition

The civet fishing cat can swim well - the waterproof undercoat and membranes on the front legs help him in this. Thanks to this skill, they build their own line of hunting: they wait for prey on the shore, and then rush at the prey in one jump. Cats can also walk in shallow water in search of small animals: frogs, crabs or snails.

Hunting for fish requires more skill, so the cat can not only swim, but also dive to depths. Fish constitutes the main diet. Cats are very cunning and lure fish from the depths to shallow water with light strikes of their paws on the water. The fish, feeling the vibrations of the water, swims towards the blow in the hope that it is an insect that is drowning, but ends up in the tenacious paws of the cat.

In “hungry” years, the fisherman does not even disdain carrion, catching snakes and insects. In extremely rare cases, a fishing cat may attack livestock (for example, catch a lamb or kid).

In general, the animal’s diet is very varied. The fishing cat does not disdain any prey, and therefore is perfectly adapted to any changes in the external environment.

For its food, the fishing cat uses almost all types of small animals, insects and fish.

Reproduction

Viverrid cats do not have a specific mating season - they can breed all year round. This is explained by their habitat - it is always warm in tropical and subtropical Asian forests.

Puberty occurs in the second or third year of life. Pregnancy lasts approximately 63–70 days, after which the female gives birth to two or three cubs. Growing up takes 9 months, after which the kittens can live independently away from their parents.

It takes 9 months for civet kittens to grow up.

There is still no reliable information about whether the male is involved in caring for the cubs. In captivity, fishing cats live in pairs, with the father of the family feeding and raising his babies. Whether the same happens in the wild is unknown.

Video: briefly about fishing cats

Viverrid fishing cat in captivity

Fishing cats are extremely difficult to breed at home. In early childhood, a kitten can still be accustomed to human presence, but in adulthood it will again be a wild cat, dangerous to others.

In most countries of the world, breeding fishing cats is prohibited by law. The ban is connected not only with the fact that there are very few animals left in nature, but also with the danger of predators and their inability to adapt to home living conditions.

The animal is kept in zoos: in captivity, cats live up to 25 years, and they reproduce quickly. This is surprising, because in the wild, due to their grumpy and pugnacious nature, fishermen rarely live to be 10 years old.

Mandatory conditions for keeping wild cats in captivity include an enclosure with sufficient space and a pond. It is also necessary to observe the cats’ habit of humid and hot climates. So, in northern countries, you need to ensure that the air temperature in the enclosure does not fall below 25 degrees Celsius.

The specifics of the animal’s lifestyle should be taken into account, so feeding occurs mainly with live fish, which the cats themselves catch from the water. Animals lead a secretive lifestyle in the wild, so zoos usually have soundproof glass with a darkened surface on one side. This allows you not to disturb the cat and at the same time observe its behavior in captivity.

An amazing wild cat who loves to swim and fish and leads a secretive lifestyle. In nature, this population is on the verge of extinction. The capricious, daring character and love of freedom do not allow breeding fishing cats at home.