Comparing Cats: A Discussion of Similarities & Differences

[Sully]

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"The fishing cat and flat-headed cat are two closely related felids that have evolved to specialize in catching fish and other aquatic vertebrates (Lekagul and McNeely 1988; Breeden 1989; Sunquist and Sunquist 2002). Although they retain the basic cat body plan, they show some adaptations for a semiaquatic hunting niche. Unlike other cats, these two species have a relatively narrow and long skull and jaws (Muul and Lim 1970; Lekagul and McNeely 1988), which is an adaptation common to piscivorous vertebrates, for example, river dolphins and gharial. Presumably this provides a longer tooth row to grab hold of slippery prey and less resistance when the head is plunged into water to grip prey, which may or may not have been grasped by one or both forepaws. The result of a longer tooth row is that the upper first and second premolars are well developed, particularly in the flat-headed cat, as are the corresponding lower premolars (Fig. 3.11; Muul and Lim 1970). The orbits on the flat-headed cat’s skull are set forward in the same plane to give a high degree of stereoscopic vision to judge distances when pouncing on aquatic prey."

"Overall the flat-headed cat shows greater adaptation to piscivory than the fishing cat, including its behaviour" Reply