The fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a medium-sized, stocky wild cat adapted to wetlands, which swims and dives to catch fish, and in India it is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. The fishing cat lives in mangroves, marshes, swamps and river deltas, with important Indian populations in the Sundarbans, the Chilika lagoon, the Coringa and Godavari-Krishna deltas and the terai.
The fishing cat is among the most specialised wetland predators of South and Southeast Asia, and the state animal of West Bengal. Because it depends on healthy wetlands, the fishing cat is a useful indicator of the state of these ecosystems, and its decline signals the loss of the wetlands that people also rely on.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Prionailurus viverrinus |
| Family | Felidae (cat family), genus Prionailurus, which also includes the leopard cat and rusty-spotted cat |
| Size | Roughly twice the size of a domestic cat, with males heavier than females |
| Weight | Typically about 5 to 12 kg |
| Special adaptations | Partly webbed toes, dense waterproof coat, strong swimmer and diver |
| IUCN status | Vulnerable |
| Legal protection in India | Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972; CITES Appendix II |
| Key Indian habitats | Sundarbans, Chilika lagoon fringes, Coringa and Godavari-Krishna deltas, Bhitarkanika, the terai and the Brahmaputra floodplains |
| State animal of | West Bengal |
Key Takeaways
- The fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a wetland-adapted wild cat that hunts fish by wading, swimming and plunging into water.
- The fishing cat has partly webbed toes and a dense, water-resistant coat, which help it swim and hunt in shallow water.
- The fishing cat is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN and is protected under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
- Important Indian habitats for the fishing cat include the Sundarbans mangroves, the Chilika lagoon fringes, the Coringa and Godavari-Krishna deltas and the terai wetlands.
- The main threats to the fishing cat are wetland loss, conversion of mangroves to aquaculture ponds, retaliatory killing and accidental deaths on roads.
- Conserving the fishing cat means protecting wetlands and working with fishing communities, so the cat’s recovery also benefits people who depend on the same ecosystems.
What is a fishing cat?
A fishing cat is a medium-sized wild cat of the genus Prionailurus that lives near water and is exceptional among cats for its ability to swim and catch fish. It is roughly twice the size of a house cat, with a stocky body, short legs and a short tail.
Its coat is olive-grey, marked with rows of dark spots and stripes that run along the body. The head is broad, the face is marked with dark lines and the ears are short and rounded with a white spot at the back. These features give the animal a heavy build compared with the more slender leopard cat, its close relative.
Fishing cats are mainly nocturnal, which makes them difficult to observe. Most of what is known about them comes from camera traps and radio-tracking studies conducted in recent decades.
How is the fishing cat adapted to water?
The fishing cat is adapted to water by its partly webbed toes, its dense double-layered coat and its strong swimming ability. These traits let the animal move through marshes and shallow water with ease and chase prey below the surface.
- Webbed feet: Short webbing between the toes helps the cat paddle and move over soft mud.
- Claws that stay out: The claws do not retract fully into their sheaths, giving a firm grip on slippery fish.
- Double coat: A short, dense undercoat is covered by water-repellent guard hairs that keep the skin dry.
- Powerful build: Strong forelimbs and a muscular body allow it to dive and swim underwater.
- Specialised teeth: Long canines help it seize and hold slippery prey.
Unlike most cats, the fishing cat shows little fear of water. It is known to swim long distances and even dive to catch fish, a behaviour that is rare among felids.
What does the fishing cat eat?
The fishing cat eats mainly fish, but it also hunts crabs, snails, frogs, snakes, birds and small mammals. This varied diet allows it to survive in different wetlands, including those where fish are scarce at certain times of year.
The cat typically hunts by crouching on the edge of the water and waiting for fish to approach, then grabbing it with a quick strike of a paw. At other times it wades into shallow water or dives headfirst to chase prey. Some individuals have been observed tapping the surface of the water to attract fish.
| Prey type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Fish | Small and medium freshwater and brackish water fish |
| Crustaceans and molluscs | Crabs, shrimp and snails |
| Amphibians and reptiles | Frogs and small snakes |
| Birds and mammals | Waterbirds, rodents and, occasionally, poultry |
Where does the fishing cat live in India?
The fishing cat lives in India in wetland habitats across the eastern coast, the Gangetic plains and the Himalayan foothills, with major populations in the Sundarbans, around Chilika lagoon, in the Coringa and Godavari-Krishna delta mangroves and in the terai. It is rarely found far from water.
Major Indian habitats
- Sundarbans (West Bengal): The largest mangrove forest in the world holds one of the species’ most significant populations.
- Chilika lagoon (Odisha): The fringes of this large brackish water lagoon, a Ramsar site, are known fishing cat habitat.
- Bhitarkanika (Odisha): The mangroves and creeks of this area support the species.
- Coringa and Godavari-Krishna deltas (Andhra Pradesh): The mangrove forests here are a stronghold on the eastern coast.
- Terai and Brahmaputra floodplains: Marshes and grasslands in places such as Dudhwa, Kaziranga and Manas also hold fishing cats.
- East Kolkata Wetlands: The cat has been recorded in the urban wetlands near Kolkata.
Outside India, the fishing cat is found in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, but it has disappeared from large parts of its former range.
Why is the fishing cat important to wetlands?
The fishing cat is important to wetlands because it is a top predator in those systems and an indicator of their condition. The animal’s presence suggests that fish, water quality and vegetation are in good condition.
As a predator, the fishing cat helps control populations of fish, crabs and rodents. It also shares habitat with other species, including otters, waterbirds and, in the Sundarbans, the tiger. Protecting the cat often means protecting an entire network of marshes, creeks and mangroves.
Mangroves and wetlands also provide services to people, such as fish nurseries, flood protection and carbon storage. This is why fishing cat conservation overlaps with the larger effort to conserve coastal and inland wetlands.
What is the conservation status of the fishing cat?
The conservation status of the fishing cat is Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and in India it is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, which provides the highest level of legal protection. The species is also listed in Appendix II of CITES.
| Body or law | Status or provision |
|---|---|
| IUCN Red List | Vulnerable |
| Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 | Schedule I, with hunting prohibited and strict penalties |
| CITES | Appendix II, regulating international trade |
| West Bengal | State animal |
Scientists believe that the global population is declining. Wetlands across Asia are among the most threatened ecosystems, and because the cat has a patchy distribution, there is no single reliable count of its numbers in India.
What are the threats to the fishing cat?
The main threats to the fishing cat are the loss and degradation of wetlands, the conversion of mangroves and marshes into aquaculture and farmland, and killing by people. These pressures together have shrunk and fragmented its habitat.
- Wetland loss: Draining of marshes, urban expansion and pollution reduce the cat’s habitat.
- Aquaculture: Mangroves are cleared for shrimp and fish ponds, which removes cover and natural prey.
- Retaliatory killing: Cats that enter fish ponds or poultry sheds are sometimes trapped or killed.
- Hunting and snaring: Fishing cats are occasionally killed for meat or caught in snares set for other animals.
- Road accidents: Roads near wetlands cause deaths of cats moving between habitats.
- Overfishing and pollution: Declining fish stocks and toxic runoff reduce the food supply.
Climate change adds a further threat. Rising sea levels and stronger storms put pressure on coastal mangroves, where some of the most important populations live.
How is the fishing cat being conserved in India?
The fishing cat is conserved in India through legal protection, protected wetland areas, research and community engagement. These efforts combine camera-trap surveys, habitat protection and awareness programmes with fishing communities.
Conservation measures
- Legal protection: Schedule I status prohibits hunting and trade.
- Protected areas: The Sundarbans, Bhitarkanika, Coringa and several terai reserves protect important habitats.
- Surveys and monitoring: Camera traps and field surveys, including studies at Chilika, map where the cat lives.
- Community engagement: Forest departments and conservation groups work with fishers and villagers to reduce conflict.
- Wetland restoration: Restoring mangroves and marshes rebuilds the cat’s habitat.
- International cooperation: The Fishing Cat Working Group brings together researchers across Asia to share data.
A key lesson from this work is that the fishing cat cannot be saved by reserves alone, because much of its habitat lies outside protected areas on land used by people. Coexistence with local communities is therefore central to success.
How does the fishing cat breed and live?
The fishing cat lives mostly alone, with each adult holding a home range along a stretch of wetland, and females give birth to a small litter of kittens after a pregnancy of roughly two months. The kittens are usually born in a sheltered spot such as dense reeds, a hollow among roots or a burrow near water.
A litter commonly has two to three kittens, which stay with the mother for several months while they learn to hunt. Young fishing cats are reported to be introduced to water early, and they develop their swimming and fishing skills by following their mother along the shore.
Because the cat is secretive and mostly active at night, researchers rely on camera traps set along creeks and marsh edges to study its movements. These surveys have shown that fishing cats can use human-modified landscapes, such as village ponds and canals, when natural wetlands are scarce, although such places carry more risk.
Why does the fishing cat conflict with people?
The fishing cat conflicts with people mainly when it enters fish ponds or poultry farms, which leads to retaliation by owners. Most such conflict arises because wetlands have shrunk and cats now share space with fish farms and villages.
Studies suggest that many reported losses are small and that blame is sometimes placed on the cat for damage caused by other animals. Practical steps, such as predator-proof enclosures, compensation schemes and awareness, can reduce killings. Where local people understand the cat’s role in controlling pests, tolerance tends to increase.
Bottom Line
The fishing cat is a remarkable swimming cat whose future depends on India’s wetlands. Legal protection, protected mangroves and local participation have kept populations alive in places such as the Sundarbans, Chilika and the Godavari delta. Protecting this animal means protecting wetlands that benefit both wildlife and people. Last updated: 15 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fishing cat?
A fishing cat is a medium-sized wild cat adapted to wetlands that swims and dives to catch fish. It has a stocky build, an olive-grey spotted coat and partly webbed toes. In India it lives in places such as the Sundarbans, Chilika and the Godavari delta.
Is the fishing cat endangered?
The fishing cat is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, which means it faces a high risk of extinction in the wild. In India it is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Its numbers are believed to be declining as wetlands disappear.
Where do fishing cats live in India?
Fishing cats live in wetlands in India, including the Sundarbans mangroves, the Chilika lagoon fringes, the Coringa and Godavari-Krishna deltas, Bhitarkanika and terai marshes. They are always found near water. Some have even been recorded in the East Kolkata Wetlands.
What do fishing cats eat?
Fishing cats eat mainly fish, but they also catch crabs, snails, frogs, snakes, birds and small mammals. They hunt by waiting at the water’s edge, wading in, or diving in to seize prey. This flexible diet helps them survive in different wetland types.
Why do fishing cats have webbed feet?
Fishing cats have partly webbed toes to help them paddle in water and walk over soft mud while hunting. The webbing is short, but it improves their swimming ability. Their claws also stay partly exposed to help them grip slippery fish.
How can fishing cats be protected?
Fishing cats can be protected by conserving wetlands and mangroves, enforcing wildlife laws and working with local communities to reduce conflict. Surveys and monitoring help identify the places most in need of protection. Preventing the conversion of mangroves into aquaculture ponds is especially important.
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