Experts who know all the details of a cat's life well say that cats are only allowed to eat boiled fish. But everyone who has a cat in their home knows very well that fresh fish is a real delicacy for her!
You can often watch a fisherman fishing on the shore of a reservoir with his pet, who is waiting for the owner to share the future catch with him.
Not every cat lover knows absolutely all the breeds that exist in the world. Therefore, when many people hear about a fishing cat, they imagine an animal that not only awaits its owner’s catch, but also helps him in this matter. It is possible that if the civet cat were a pet, it would be able to get fish for its beloved owners.
The history of the origin of cats of the viverrid fishing cat breed
The history of the birth of the civet cat is not known in detail, but one thing is clear: it is a completely wild animal that avoids meeting people, which is noticeable even in the photos of the civet fishing cat available on the Internet.
It must be said that people do not appear in the places where he lives especially often - the fishing cat likes to settle in places with high humidity, for example, near swamps, where he can perfectly camouflage himself with his fur coat.
Today there are a huge number of people who adore the exotic, and many believe that every wild animal, if it lives with a person as a small kitten, will become gentle, affectionate and obedient. For this reason, there are plenty of people who want to get a civet fishing cat as a pet.
Captivity
Charismatic appearance and funny habits attract more and more attention to the civet cat. Many exotic lovers began to express a desire to keep the animal as a pet after the website of the famous fishing cat named John Davis, who lived with his owners for three years in the most ordinary apartment in the city of Krasnoyarsk, was widely promoted on the Internet.
This is the most famous fishing cat from Krasnoyarsk - John Davis
This beautiful story ended, alas, predictably - the cute kitten grew up and turned into a strong, wayward male, who did not fail to claim his rights to leadership in the house. The loving owners could not, no matter how hard they tried, cope with him and were forced to return their pet to the wild.
Taming
A wild animal will never be able to become a “plasticine” pet, and the Krasnoyarsk story is a clear confirmation of this. But if it so happens that you want to take a risk and repeat the attempt to tame an Asian cat, do not get a male, there is practically no chance of reaching an amicable agreement with him. Females of this species are much more docile.
Taming begins at an early age, no later than three months, until the kitten is able to naturally perceive a person as a member of its family. Contact must be established gradually, and in no case should you frighten the animal or put pressure on it. At the first stage, you should ensure that the cub learns to take pieces of food from your hands without any problems.
Taming and feeding a wild kitten will be simplified by your domestic cat
It is very important to feed your growing baby properly, otherwise he will get sick and may even die. In this case, ready-made dry food is a completely unsuitable option; you only need natural nutrition, or even better, live food. Only specialists can correctly prepare a diet for a wild kitten from nature, and already at this stage the risks of losing the animal are very high.
Aviary keeping is not suitable - if you want to get a truly tame pet, you will have to pay maximum attention to it and spend a lot of time communicating together. The fishing cat is very jealous and remembers insults well - this should also be taken into account. He may well find a common language with other cats and even with the dogs with whom he grew up in the house, but on occasion he will not deny himself the pleasure of hunting someone whom he considers weaker than himself.
The character of the “tame cat” is very complex
These animals are extremely intelligent and quick-witted, they very quickly perceive the rules of behavior in captivity and the hierarchy of their new pack. Usually, a fishing cat chooses only one owner, whom he considers the main one, and agrees to obey him. This stubborn cunning man can pointedly ignore the demands of the rest of the family members. But he can show serious jealousy, protecting the attention of his beloved owner from other household members - but such moments are sometimes fraught with serious danger.
Description of cats of the viverrid fishing cat breed
The size of this large and rare animal is quite large, although it is smaller than, for example, a panther or a leopard. But, with a weight equal to fifteen kilograms for a mature cat, and ten kilograms for a cat, fishing cats can be considered full-fledged large predators.
Appearance:
- The length of the animal’s body, including the tail, is more than one meter, and the tail, which is the same in thickness from base to end, accounts for approximately one-fourth of the total length of the cat’s body. One has only to look at the massive and strong body of a fishing cat, and it is immediately clear that this is a true hunter;
- large and wide head, elongated muzzle. The ears are somewhat rounded. Large eyes and a wary gaze, however, it also reflects the confidence of a civet cat. These cats have naturally powerful and strong limbs, so they can successfully defeat even larger enemies;
- The coat is olive-gray in color, with black spots and stripes that are placed in a row. Matte fur helps the cat to camouflage perfectly in the bushes. There are also black stripes on the tail, and they are also present on the animal’s forehead and neck;
- The way these cats differ from cats of other breeds is their uniquely shaped nose. They do not have a bridge of the nose, and the nose itself is very large and wide. No other cat has such a wide nose, no matter how big or small it is. This structure allows the civet cat to swim and dive well. He is able to hold his breath, taking a deep breath without taking water into his nose.
Appearance
Externally, the civet fishing cat resembles an African civet. Actually, thanks to its Latin name - viverra, and its external resemblance, it got its name. Like wild cats, African civets are predators, but they are known for another feature - they eat coffee berries. The beans that pass through their digestive tract are collected, roasted and brewed into an expensive coffee drink called Luwak Coffee.
But let's get back to the fishermen. The weight of an adult cat is 11-15 kg, cats weigh less - 6-7 kg. The body length is 96-120 cm, and the height at the withers is 38-40 cm. The fangs of an adult cat reach 3 cm in length, the claws 1.5-2 cm. Experts divide fishing cats into two types, which differ slightly in color and size . Fishermen from Southeast Asia, including the island of Sumatra, are much larger than their relatives from the islands of Java and Bali. In the cat family, the closest relatives of fishermen are Far Eastern (Amur) cats.
The fishing cat has a strong build and well-developed muscles. In general they are very strong and agile. The muzzle is wide and short. The bridge of the nose is practically absent, the nose is very wide and large, the widest among all cats. This structure allows the cat to swim and dive freely. The ears are round, small, and set low on the sides of the head. The lower jaw is very well developed and rounded. The head fits well on the short neck. The legs are relatively short, as is the tail, which makes up 1/4 of the entire length of the body and has the same thickness from base to tip. The color is grayish-brown with black stripes and spots. Behind the pinna, which is mostly black, there are white spots called eye spots. There are webs between the toes on the front paws. They prevent the cat from fully retracting its claws, but are very helpful in swimming and fishing.
Character of cats of the viverrid fishing cat breed
In almost every country in the world, it is prohibited to breed fishing cats in captivity. In addition, those who still decide to do this will definitely have a lot of problems.
The civet cat has a very complex character. Many generations of these animals living in the wild come into conflict not only with other inhabitants of their environment, but also with their own relatives.
No one can guarantee that even a tiny kitten of a fishing cat raised at home will exist in peace and harmony with the person in whose house he lives. It is necessary to raise a civet cat taking into account specific requirements. This means that its owner must certainly have specific knowledge and have on hand experienced specialists who are well acquainted with the peculiarities of keeping such a pet.
Character and content
There is very little information on the Internet about the character of the Viverra fishing cat, it is full of positive reviews like “what a sweetheart”, “what a cool cat”... But let’s think soberly - we have a predator in front of us. And not small at all. Just looking at such a kitty gives you goosebumps... A wild animal, even a domesticated one, will not be as affectionate and sweet as an ordinary cat of any known breed. If Savannah is a cross between a domestic cat and a wild cat, and has only part of the wild genes, then the Viverre is a completely wild cat. It will be difficult for him to live in an apartment, or even a country house, because this animal needs space, its own hunting territory and a pond. Viverrid cats eat fish, crustaceans and sometimes birds. They reach sexual maturity by two to three years. Even if you decide to have such a cat at home, be prepared for the fact that one day you will have to part with him. During puberty, the civet begins to perceive its owner as a “female of the pack”, and the owner and any other men in the house as “rival males” (in Russia there is such a sad experience of keeping a civet cat, when over time he had to be given to the zoo).
Caring for cats of the viverrid fishing cat breed
As soon as the baby has settled in his new home, he needs to be fed by hand, so he will quickly get used to both the owner and the housing. He needs to always be surrounded by people. Many owners of fishing cats who live outside the city build special enclosures for their pets. If a growing animal sits in an enclosure forever, it will never be able to turn into a full-fledged pet.
Like any cat, this pet loves to play and expects affectionate and gentle treatment from its owner. It is necessary to remember that, carried away by the game, an animal can forget itself and accidentally cause harm to a person. You cannot scold or beat him for this, because the cat will begin to defend himself. The best thing is the word “no” pronounced loudly and strictly.
Cost of a fishing kitten
To purchase this unique cat, which is a couple of times larger than a regular domestic cat, you will need to obtain special permission. This is due to the fact that the civet fishing cat is in the Red Book. As for the cost of a kitten of this breed, it reaches 300 thousand rubles. Not every Russian can afford to buy an animal for such a price. But it is important to understand that the purchase is only a tiny part of the amount that will have to be spent on maintaining this exotic animal.
Reviews of cats of the Viverrid fishing cat breed
- Alexei.
I have a domestic civet cat living in my apartment. I wouldn’t say that he is particularly aggressive, because any animal can show aggression.
He needs to be taught, to instill his character. I trained him for a long time, and now he is my most faithful comrade. Shows less activity during the day than at night. It is better to keep other animals away from him. I present a photo of my fishing cat.
- Kirill.
Such a pet is difficult to raise. You need to take care of him like a small child, but the effort is worth it. This is a very devoted friend, as well as a wonderful guard of its territory.
How do fishing cats get food?
This animal leads a twilight and nocturnal lifestyle, and during the day it sleeps in the grass or bushes. He is not a fan of climbing trees, but he loves to fish. In the process of catching fish, the civet fishing cat wanders through the shallow water and picks up fish with its strong paws with very sharp and large claws. His movements are lightning fast.
Also, when hunting on water, a cat can resort to cunning: keeping its body completely motionless, it lightly touches the water, imitating the movements of insects. The fish are interested in such movements, it swims to the surface, where the cat grabs it.
But these cunning predators fish not only in shallow water; they feel no worse in the depths. They can easily cover long distances in water. And all thanks to the membranes present between the claws on the paws. Because of the membranes, it is more difficult for the animal to retract its claws, but they are the main assistants in catching fish. The civet fishing cat can dive in the water when chasing prey. At the same time, it presses its ears very tightly to its head, thereby protecting itself from water getting into them. As it turns out, cats have many different techniques that they use when catching fish.
For entertainment, these animals search for snails and frogs in shallow water. A very fun way to entertain yourself.
The civet fishing cat feeds on what it catches: crayfish, snakes, fish. On land it catches insects, birds, and, less commonly, mammals no larger than a lamb.
Health and feeding of cats of the viverrid fishing cat breed
These animals must be vaccinated, like all domestic cats. You should make sure that the vaccine is of high quality and that it does not contain active viruses. As soon as you notice any oddities in your pet's movement or behavior, you should immediately consult a doctor.
The fishermen's menu consists of fish and raw meat with bones, for example, beef or poultry. It is good if a special vitamin complex is present in the diet. An adult animal can eat up to one and a half kilograms of fish per day.
If you take good care of your pet, he will adore you! Once you have attached a domestic civet fishing cat to you, you will gain great love and trust, which would seem not inherent in wild animals.
www.zoo-ekzo.ru – Sale of exotic animals
Fishing cat, or speckled cat, or fish cat, or fishing cat, or fishing cat, or civet cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)
Class - mammals Order - carnivores Family - felines
Subfamily - small cats
Genus – oriental cats
Subspecies:
- Prionailurus viverrinus viverrinus: India, southeast Asia, Sumatra
- Prionailurus viverrinus risophores: Java, Bali
Appearance _
The weight of an adult animal is from 11 to 15 kg (males), 6-7 kg (cats), with a body length of 96.5-119.3 cm, height at the withers of 38.1-40.6 cm. It has a strong build, has a large by force. The muzzle is short and wide, the bridge of the nose is practically absent. The ears are small, round, set low on the sides of the head, the jaw is round, almost like a pit bull, the lower one is very strong. The head is round, the neck is short. The legs are short, the tail is also short, thick at the base. The color is grayish-brown with black.
Like most cats, fish cats have white eye patches behind black-colored ears. These spots emphasize the position of the ears, which, when pressed, demonstrate the animal’s aggression. There are membranes between the toes of the front paws that prevent the cat from retracting its claws, but help to catch fish.
Habitat
The fishing cat lives in tropical and subtropical regions of southeast Asia: in the south and east of India, Indochina, Ceylon, Sumatra, Java. They are found mainly in forests near bodies of water, mainly swamps, lakes and slow rivers.
Behavior
Fish cats have a reputation as fighters and bullies, but they avoid meeting people.
Unlike most other felines, fishing cats are excellent swimmers. In search of food, they not only wait near the shore in order to rush at prey with one well-aimed leap, but also wander through shallow water in search of crabs, frogs, snails and other aquatic inhabitants, or dive and swim to get fish.
It feeds mainly on fish. During the hunt, it sits on the river bank waiting for a fish to swim past, which it hits with its clawed paw; sometimes this cat even dives to the bottom of the river for prey. It also eats frogs, snakes, snails, birds, small mammals and carrion.
Sometimes they hunt on land, for mice, birds and insects. In exceptional cases, larger mammals the size of a lamb are also hunted.
Reproduction
Fish cats breed all year round. After a pregnancy of 63–70 days, two or three kittens are born. They mature by 9 months of age. Males kept in captivity help the female care for the offspring, but it is unknown how they behave in the wild.
Captive
The best way to gain the respect of an animal is to hand feed it from childhood. This way he will know that your presence is safe for him.
Do not play the game of “fighting with an arm or a leg” with a kitten - it is better to use his toys for this, otherwise, as he grows up, he will perceive your arms and legs as his toys, scratching and biting them. It is recommended to play with the cat in the bathtub or pool using “floating” toys.
You cannot shout at the cat or hit it. For example, if he constantly climbs onto the dining table, then he needs to be punished with a spray bottle or an air pump. Give a clear command: “No!” and “blow” with a strong stream of air. The fisherman will learn the lesson very quickly and in other situations just one command will be enough.
If the cat is playing and scratches you during the game, then just leave him alone in the room. Believe me, he will very soon realize that he is doing something wrong if he is left alone. These animals are extremely intelligent and require initial training, just like dogs.
It is important that all family members pay attention to the fishing cat whenever possible. You are his parents (his pack) in which he feels safe and responds for this with gratitude and affection.
The domestic fishing cat plays friendly with most other pets. However, an adult cat should be introduced to small animals carefully, as he may mistake them for a toy and injure them.
You need to accustom a fishing cat to a leash and collar from childhood. Give him time to get used to the loosened collar, and then you can tighten the collar tighter.
The fishing cat must be trained to use litter with litter (preferably wood). If he went to the toilet in the wrong place, you should not scold him; it is enough to explain it to him verbally, showing him the correct place. For kittens, regular cat litter is suitable; for adults, it is better to use a tray measuring 60 by 100 cm. Keep the litter box clean.
Fishing cats need vaccinations, the same as domestic cats. However, make sure that the vaccine is of high quality and does not contain active viruses. Otherwise, the animal may get sick and die. It is very important. Your pet cannot explain to you what is hurting him, so if you notice any strange behavior or movement, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Regarding nutrition: the diet of fishing cats consists mainly of fish and raw meat with bones - poultry and beef (for example, chicken or quail thighs, wings, hearts, liver, necks). It is advisable to add special vitamins with calcium supplements to the diet. Adult cats eat 0.45 to 1.36 kg of fish and meat per day.
Life expectancy in captivity is 15-25 years.
Viverrid fishing cat. Photo
5 / 5 ( 3 voices)
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.
History of the discovery of the variety
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".
