Species
Fishing Cat
Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus): The Fishing Cat is a medium-sized wild cat that belongs to the Prionailurus genus. It is well-adapted to aquatic environments and is primarily found in South and Southeast Asia. Here are some basic details about the Fishing Cat:
Range and Conservation Status:
- Range: Fishing Cats are distributed across various countries in South and Southeast Asia. They can be found in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, and other neighboring regions.
- Conservation Status: The Fishing Cat is classified as “Endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their populations are declining due to habitat loss, wetland degradation, and human-wildlife conflicts.
Fishing Cat in Pakistan: Fishing Cats have been recorded in Pakistan, particularly in the southern and southeastern parts of the country where there are suitable wetland habitats. However, their distribution in Pakistan might be limited compared to some other regions like India and Bangladesh.
Range Map: For an up-to-date and accurate range map of the Fishing Cat in Pakistan, I recommend checking with the latest data provided by conservation organizations or local wildlife authorities. Range maps are often updated as new research and surveys are conducted, so it’s best to refer to reliable sources for the most current information.
Physical Characteristics:
- Size: Fishing Cats are about the size of a domestic cat, with males weighing around 15 to 20 pounds, and females being slightly smaller.
- Appearance: They have a distinctive coat pattern with dark spots and stripes on a light background, which helps them blend into their wetland habitats.
Habitat and Behavior:
- Habitat: Fishing Cats are usually found in the vicinity of wetlands, such as swamps, mangroves, and marshy areas. They are often associated with rivers, streams, and oxbow lakes.
- Adaptations: These cats have specialized physical adaptations for swimming, including partially webbed feet, which makes them efficient hunters in aquatic environments.
- Diet: As their name suggests, Fishing Cats are primarily piscivorous, meaning they mainly feed on fish. However, they are opportunistic predators and also consume small mammals, birds, and even insects.
Jungle Cat
Distribution:
Jungle cat is the most widespread cat species across Pakistan, occurring right from coastal scrub and deserts across the Indus plains uptill Himalayan foothills and Siwaliks. They have very aptly utilised farmland, green spots and adapted well to it.
Habitat:
They inhabit diverse ecosystems such as marshes, reed beds, agricultural fields, and riverbanks, adapting well to both rural and urban environments. Their presence in Himalayan broadleaf forests has also been noted.
Feeding Behaviour:
Jungle cats are opportunistic predators, preying on small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects, utilising their excellent hunting skills to secure their meals. Their characteristic jump and dive can be quite a sight to see.
Reproduction and Lifecycle:
They reproduce through sexual reproduction, with a gestation period of around two months. After birth, the kittens are nurtured and taught hunting techniques by their mothers.
Social Behaviour:
Jungle cats are solitary creatures, except during the mating season. They establish territories and communicate through scent marking and vocalisations. Pairs have also been noted to hunt together.
Threats:
Habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflicts pose significant threats to the jungle cat population in Pakistan, endangering their survival.
Conservation and Legal status:
Jungle cats are globally categorised as Least Concern Globally, and Least Concern Nationally in the IUCN Red List of Species.
Population in Pakistan:
The exact population of jungle cats in Pakistan is unknown.
Afro-Asiatic Wild Cat
(Felis Lybica Ornata)
Distribution:
Asiatic Wild cat is a very localised species restricted to dry arid scrub along with alluvial and riverine tracts, mainly distributed in Thar and Cholistan desert as well as West of Indus where its distribution is not well known. It has been recorded from Kirthar range, Sulaiman range, Salt range, Waziristan and South and Central Balochistan.
Habitat:
In the country, this species is mainly found in deserts, and semi-arid areas, adapting to different climatic conditions and terrain types.
Feeding Behaviour:
Asiatic wild cats are carnivorous predators, primarily hunting small mammals, birds, reptiles, and occasionally insects, using their stealth and agility to capture their prey.
Reproduction and Life Cycle:
They reproduce through sexual reproduction, with a gestation period of about two months. The female raises the kittens independently and teaches them hunting skills.
Social Behaviour:
Asiatic wild cats are solitary animals, establishing and defending territories. They communicate using scent marking and vocalisations, and their territories may overlap with those of other cats.
Threats:
Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, poaching, and fragmentation of their range pose significant threats to the Asiatic wild cat population in Pakistan.
Conservation and Legal Status:
Jungle cats are globally categorised as Least Concern Globally, and Data deficient Nationally in the IUCN Red List of Species.
Population in Pakistan:
The population of Asiatic wild cats in Pakistan is not accurately known.
Caracal
(Caracal Caracal Schmitzi)
Distribution:
Asiatic Caracals are restricted to dominant desert regions of the country: Cholistan, Thar, South-central Balochistan and have penetrated into low-lying hilly habitats of Salt Range, Dera Ismal Khan and Waziristan. A very elusive animal, it prefers areas devoid of human settlements.
Habitat:
They inhabit diverse habitats, including scrublands, deserts, and rocky areas, where they can find suitable shelter and prey.
Feeding Behaviour:
Caracals are skilled hunters, feeding mainly on small to medium-sized mammals like rodents, hares, and sometimes birds.
Reproduction and Lifecycle:
They reproduce through sexual reproduction, with a gestation period of approximately two to three months. The female raises the kittens until they become independent.
Social Behaviour:
Caracals are mostly solitary, except during the mating season. They establish and defend territories, communicating through scent marking and vocalisations.
Threats:
Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, poaching, and illegal trade pose significant threats to the caracal population in Pakistan.
Conservation and Legal Status:
Jungle cats are globally categorised as Least Concern Globally, and Critically Endangered Nationally in the IUCN Red List of Species.
Population in Pakistan:
The population of caracals in Pakistan is not precisely known.
Mainland Leopard Cat
(Prionailurus Bengalensis Bengalensis)
Distribution:
The Mainland Leopard Cat has a broad distribution across moderate to moist Temperate forests as well as Coniferous and subtropical zones in the foothills. It has distribution from wider valleys in Karakorams and Himalayas down to Margalla hills and Waziristan in the West. The species may be much more common than previously believed. Its occurrence in Northern Balochistan and Salt range is doubtful and needs confirmation.
Habitat:
The Mainland Leopard Cat primarily inhabits diverse habitats, ranging from forests and woodlands to grasslands and scrublands. They are adaptable and can be found in both dense evergreen forests as well as rocky landscapes throughout their distribution.
Feeding Behaviour:
Mainland Leopard Cats are opportunistic predators with a varied diet. They primarily hunt small mammals such as rodents, birds, and insects. Additionally, they may occasionally feed on reptiles and amphibians, depending on the availability of prey in their habitat.
Reproduction and Lifecycle:
The Mainland Leopard Cat has a gestation period of approximately two to three months. Females give birth to litters of usually two to three kittens, although litter sizes can vary. The mother raises the kittens in a den, providing them with care and protection until they are old enough to fend for themselves.
Social Behaviour:
Mainland Leopard Cats are mostly solitary animals, and they lead a solitary lifestyle throughout their adult lives. However, occasional interactions may occur between individuals, especially during the mating season.
Threats:
The Mainland Leopard Cat faces various threats in Pakistan, including habitat loss due to deforestation and human encroachment, illegal poaching for the wildlife trade, and human-wildlife conflict.
Conservation and Legal Status:
Jungle cats are globally categorised as Least Concern Globally, and Data Deficient Nationally in the IUCN Red List of Species.
Population in Pakistan:
The population of Mainland Leopard Cats in Pakistan is not precisely known.
Pallas’s Cat
(Otocolobus Manul Manul/Nigripectus)
Distribution:
Pallas’s cats have a limited distribution along the Western and Northern mountains in the country. Though the distribution is not well-known it has been known to occur from mountain ranges in Northern Balochistan, through Waziristan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces North to Gilgit Balristan. Pallas’s cat may be more widespread than believed due to its secretive nature and impressive camouflage.
Habitat:
They inhabit high-altitude habitats, including alpine meadows, rocky slopes, and cold desert regions, where they can navigate their unique environment.
Feeding Behaviour:
Pallas’s cats are opportunistic hunters, feeding on small mammals like rodents and pikas, supplemented with birds and insects.
Reproduction and Lifecycle:
They reproduce through sexual reproduction, with a gestation period of about two to three months. The female raises the kittens independently.
Social Behaviour:
Pallas’s cats are solitary creatures, with minimal social interactions. They have a solitary and elusive nature to adapt to their harsh mountainous habitat and camouflage really well like most felines.
Threats:
Threats to Pallas’s cat population in Pakistan include habitat loss, human disturbances via pasturing, retaliatory killing, and climate change impacting their fragile ecosystems.
Conservation and Legal Status:
Jungle cats are globally categorised as Least Concern Globally, and Near Threatened Nationally in the IUCN Red List of Species.
Population in Pakistan:
The population of Pallas’s cats in Pakistan is not precisely known.
Lynx
(Lynx Lynx Isabellinus)
Distribution:
The Eurasian or Himalayan lynx has a limited distribution in Pakistan, primarily found in a much higher elevation than any other small wild cat species in the country. Preferring high alpine zones on the edge of treeline, Lynx appears to be restricted to suitable habitat in the North, from Chitral to Gilgit and greater Baltistan.
Habitat:
They inhabit mountainous regions, and rocky terrain, mainly on the edge of the treeline.
Feeding Behaviour:
Eurasian lynx are generalist predators like most small wild cats, primarily hunting Hare species, Gamebirds, ungulates like deer and ibex, but they can also prey on smaller mammals, birds, and occasionally, fish.
Reproduction and Lifecycle:
They have a gestation period of around two to three months. The female gives birth to a litter of one to four kittens and raises them in a den.
Social Behaviour:
Eurasian lynx are solitary creatures, except during the mating season. They establish and defend large territories.
Threats:
Threats to the Eurasian lynx population in Pakistan include habitat loss, illegal hunting for fur trade, and human-wildlife conflict resulting from retaliatory killings and prey scarcity. Habitat loss due to Global warming is expected to hit the range of this species hard.
Conservation and Legal Status:
Jungle cats are globally categorised as Least Concern Globally, and Least Concern Nationally in the IUCN Red List of Species.
Population in Pakistan:
The population of Eurasian lynx in Pakistan is not precisely known.
Sand Cat
(Felis Margarita Thinobia)
Distribution:
Sand cat is the most sparsely distributed across other small wild cat species in Pakistan. Although their limit of distribution has not yet been definitely accurately, it has been mainly recorded from Kharan desert region in Extreme Western Balochistan. Distribution connectivity is expected with both Afghanistan and Iran.
Habitat:
They inhabit very barren desert ecosystems, including sandy and rocky deserts, where they are well-adapted to extreme heat and arid conditions.
Feeding Behaviour:
Sand cats are nocturnal hunters, preying on small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects, relying on their acute hearing and night vision to locate their prey.
Reproduction and Lifecycle:
They reproduce through sexual reproduction, with a gestation period of around two months. Females give birth in burrows and raise their kittens independently.
Social Behaviour:
Sand cats are solitary animals, except during the breeding season. During the day time they occupy resting locations They establish and defend territories, using scent marking and vocalisations for communication.
Threats:
Threats to the sand cat population in Pakistan include habitat degradation, human encroachment, and poaching for the illegal pet trade.
Conservation and Legal Status:
Jungle cats are globally categorised as Least Concern Globally, and Critically Endangered Nationally in the IUCN Red List of Species.
Population in Pakistan:
The population of sand cats in Pakistan is not precisely known.