Flat-headed Cat

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Subfamily: Felinae
Genus: Prionailurus
Species: Prionailurus planiceps

Flat-headed Cat conservation status: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/18148/0

The Flat-headed cat lives only in lowland tropical rainforest habitat along riverbanks. They are found in southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, Kalimantan, and Sumatra. They are really weird cats! They look like half cat, half otter. This is because they have adapted to their riverine habitat and fish eating lifestyle. They literally eat bellyfuls of fish. Also frogs and crustaceans. They’ve been observed washing food raccoon-style.

Flat-headed Cats weigh 1.5-2.5 kg (3.3-5.5 lb). They have a flattened forehead and a strange looking protruding muzzle. The Flat-headed Cat has short little ears that are set low on their head almost like a seal’s. They have reddish brown fur and a pale underbelly. Their eyes are more forward in their face and closer together compared to other cats; this gives them improved stereoscopic vision.

Flat-headed Cats’ anterior upper premolars are larger and sharper compared to other cats, this gives them the ability to snatch slippery aquatic prey easier. Their jaws are very powerful for their size. They have shortish legs, claws that don’t retract all the way, and webbing between their toes (this interdigital webbing helps them negotiate muddy environments and swim. Their toe webbing is even larger than a Fishing Cat’s.) They are at least as well adapted for an aquatic environment as the Fishing cat is. They can catch fish with their heads completely submerged under the water. They are rare and fantastic specialist cats.

The Flat-headed Cat lives 14 years and probably longer.

More wild cats here