Flat-headed Cat

Flat-headed Cat[1]
Conservation status

Endangered (IUCN 3.1)[2]
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 cat from forested areas, mainly near water, in Peninsular Thailand, Malaysia (both East and West), Brunei, and Indonesia (Kalimantan and Sumatra). It is considered endangered by IUCN due to habitat loss and pollution. It is very rare in captivity, with only two individuals - both in zoos in Malaysia - recorded by ISIS in early 2008.[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.[5][1]

Contents

Description

Flat-headed Cat

It 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 Fishing Cat. The shape of the head is atypical for a cat; the skull is fairly long, while the skull roof, as suggested by both its common and scientific name, is rather flat.[7]

Behavior and habitat

It occurs in both secondary and primary forest,[8] and most records are from near water. It mostly hunts for frogs, fish and crustaceans, but will also catch rats[5] and chickens.[7] It has relatively long premolars, and is one of the few cats that is unable to retract its claws (the others being the cheetah, fishing cat, and the Iriomote cat). These adaptions combined with its behavior have resulted in comparisons with semi-aquatic mustelids,[7] and it is known for readily entering water. Overall, however, little is known about its wild behavior,[6] but a gestation period of about 56 days, and a litter size of 1-2 kittens have been reported in captivity.[9] Captive individuals have lived for 14+ years.[7] It is generally considered a nocturnal animal, but observations of captives suggests it is crepuscular.[9]

Status

The Flat-headed Cat is considered endangered by IUCN and listed on appendix 1 by CITES. The total population is believed to be less than 10,000 adults, with no single sub-population containing more than 1000 adults.[2] While habitat loss and water pollution are serious threats, sightings from 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.[9] Sightings are generally very rare.[5]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wozencraft, W. Christopher (16 November 2005). "Order Carnivora (pp. 532-628)". In Wilson, Don E., and Reeder, DeeAnn M., eds. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2 vols. (2142 pp.). pp. 543. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Hearn, A., Sanderson, J., Ross, J., Wilting, A. & Sunarto, S. (2008). Prionailurus planiceps. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 22 March 2009. Database entry includes justification for why this species is endangered
  3. ↑ Wilting A, Cord A, Hearn AJ, Hesse D, Mohamed A, et al. (2010) "Modelling the Species Distribution of Flat-Headed Cats (Prionailurus planiceps), an Endangered South-East Asian Small Felid". PLoS ONE 5(3): e9612. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0009612
  4. ↑ International Species Information System. Captive Prionailurus planiceps. Accessed 2008-04-04
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Nowak, R. (editor) 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. 6th edition. ISBN 0-8018-5789-9
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 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. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 IUCN Cat Specialist Group. 1996. Flat-headed Cat. Prionailurus planiceps. Accessed 2008-04-04
  8. ↑ Payne, J., and C. Francis, 1998. A Field Guide to the Mammals of Borneo. 3d reprint. ISBN 967-99947-1-6
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 ARKive: Flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps). Accessed 2008-04-04