The Fishing Cat of South Asia

The cats in our homes don't like getting wet, let alone swimming. But there are many different kinds of cats. Many cats can swim, and some can even dive into ponds or rivers to hunt fish.

The fishing cat is found in India and other South Asian countries like Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. This cat is 20 to 40 inches long and about 24 inches tall, with a greyish coat and black spots. Its toes are connected by a thin membrane (webbed feet), which helps it swim in water and walk in mud. It is mostly found in the forests at the foothills of the Himalayas. The fishing cat's main food is fish, which it catches by diving deep into the water. The fishing cat lives in burrows that it digs on the banks of ponds or rivers. It is an aggressive animal by nature.