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== Distribution and habitat ==
== Distribution and habitat ==
The distribution of Flat-headed cats is restricted to the extreme southern [[Thailand]], [[Peninsular Malaysia]], [[Sabah]], [[Sarawak]], [[Brunei Darussalam]], [[Kalimantan]] and [[Sumatra]]. Coastal and lowland areas are their key habitats.<ref name="wilting+al2010"/>

The Flat-headed Cat occurs in both [[primary forest|primary]] and [[secondary forest]], and most records are from near water.<ref name=Borneo>Payne, J., and C. Francis, 1998. ''A Field Guide to the Mammals of Borneo.'' 3d reprint. ISBN 967-99947-1-6</ref>
The Flat-headed Cat occurs in both [[primary forest|primary]] and [[secondary forest]], and most records are from near water.<ref name=Borneo>Payne, J., and C. Francis, 1998. ''A Field Guide to the Mammals of Borneo.'' 3d reprint. ISBN 967-99947-1-6</ref>


Revision as of 16:46, 8 November 2010

Flat-headed Cat[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Carnivora
Family:
Felidae
Genus:
Prionailurus
Species:
P. planiceps
Binomial name
Prionailurus planiceps
(Vigors & Horsfield, 1827)
Map showing Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Kalimantan
Proposed range of Flat-headed Cat[3]

The Flat-headed Cat (Prionailurus planiceps) is a small wild

IUCN due to destruction of wetlands in their habitat.[2]

This cat is very rare in captivity, with less than 10 individuals – all in

ISIS in early 2010.[4] Like some other small cats, it was originally placed in the genus Felis, but is now considered one of the five species in Prionailurus.[1][5]

Description

Flat-headed Cat

The Flat-headed Cat has a head-and-body length of 41-50 cm (16-20 in), and a short tail of 13-15 cm (5-6 in).[5] It weighs 1.5-2.5 kg (3.5-5.5 lbs).[6] The thick fur is generally dark reddish-brown tinged grey, with a more reddish head and whitish underparts. Except for the relatively faint facial streaks, it is rather unpatterned. The legs are fairly short, and the ears are short and round.

The inter-digital webs on its paws help the cat gain better traction in muddy environments and water, and are even more pronounced on this cat than those on the paws of the

stereoscopic vision. In addition, the teeth are adapted for gripping onto slippery prey, and the jaws are relatively powerful. These features help the Flat-headed Cat to catch and retain aquatic prey, to which it is at least as well adapted as the closely related Fishing Cat.[8]

Distribution and habitat

The distribution of Flat-headed cats is restricted to the extreme southern

Brunei Darussalam, Kalimantan and Sumatra. Coastal and lowland areas are their key habitats.[3]

The Flat-headed Cat occurs in both

primary and secondary forest, and most records are from near water.[9]

Ecology and behavior

The Flat-headed Cat is generally considered a

crepuscular.[10] It mostly hunts for frogs, fish and crustaceans, but will also catch rats and chickens.[5][7] In captivity, they show much greater interest in potential prey in the water than that on dry land, suggesting a strong preference for riverine hunting in their natural habitat.[8]

It has relatively long

mustelids, and it is known for readily entering water.[7]

In the wild, flat-headed cats are solitary, and

Domestic Cat.[8]

Overall, however, little is known about its wild behavior, but a

litter size of 1-2 kittens have been reported in captivity.[6][10] Captive individuals have lived for fourteen years.[7]

Status

The Flat-headed Cat is considered

oil palm plantations suggests it is less specialized than generally believed.[7] The Flat-headed Cat is fully protected throughout its natural range, except in Brunei, where this species lacks legal protection.[10] Sightings are generally very rare.[5]

References

  1. ^
    OCLC 62265494
    .
  2. ^ a b c Template:IUCN2008
  3. ^
    doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0009612
  4. ^ International Species Information System. Captive Prionailurus planiceps. Accessed 2010-04-16
  5. ^ a b c d Nowak, R. (editor) 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. 6th edition. ISBN 0-8018-5789-9
  6. ^ a b Francis, C. 2001. A Photographic Guide to Mammals of South-east Asia including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Java, Sumatra, Bali and Borneo. ISBN 85974 507 5
  7. ^ a b c d e IUCN Cat Specialist Group. 1996. Flat-headed Cat. Prionailurus planiceps. Accessed 2008-04-04
  8. ^
    ISBN 0-226-77999-8
    .
  9. ^ Payne, J., and C. Francis, 1998. A Field Guide to the Mammals of Borneo. 3d reprint. ISBN 967-99947-1-6
  10. ^ a b c ARKive: Flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps). Accessed 2008-04-04

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Prionailurus planiceps.
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