Prionailurus planiceps (Vigors & Horsfield, 1827)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2009, Felidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 1 Carnivores, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 54-168 : 161

30.

Flat-headed Cat

Prionailurus planiceps

French: Chat a téte plate / German: Flachkopfkatze / Spanish: Gato cangrejero

Taxonomy. Felis planiceps Vigors & Horsfield, 1827 ,

Sumatra, Indonesia.

Monotypic.

Distribution. Peninsular Thailand and Malaysia, and islands of Sumatra and Borneo.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 44.6-52. 1 cm, tail 12.8-16. 9 cm; weights of males and females similar 1.5-2. 5 kg. Fur 1s thick and soft, dark roan-brown on flanks and reddish-brown on top of the head. Underparts are mottled white. Many body hairs tipped with white or gray. Two prominent whitish streaks on each side of face, which is noticeably paler in color than body. Muzzle and chin are white. Appearance is more mustelid-like than cat-like, with short legs, elongated and flattened head, small, rounded, low-set ears, and a short tail. Eyes are large and set close together. Teeth pointed: first two upper premolars are large and sharp, adaptations for gripping slippery prey. Webbing on feet well-developed.

Habitat. Has not been studied in the wild. Most collection records are from riparian habitats. There are also incidental observations in logged primary and secondary forest, freshwater swamp forest, and secondary forest/scrub habitat within coastal lowland floodplains, and in mature secondary forest. Also recorded from oil palm and rubber plantations, suggesting some tolerance for human-altered landscapes.

Food and Feeding. Morphological specializations (teeth, claws, eyes) and a few behavioral observations of captive animals suggest that its diet is composed largely of fish. Captives readily play in water, submerge their heads to seize pieces of fish, and adults seen to grope along bottom of pan of water with their forepaws spread wide, much like raccoons. Captive adults also killed rats and mice with a nape bite. In the wild, diet probably includes fish, frogs, crustaceans, and small mammals.

Activity patterns. Thought to be nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Breeding. Gestation 56 days, litter size 1-2.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. There is no information on status or abundance, but appears to be rare and elusive. Species may be vulnerable because its distribution tied to watercourses. These habitats are often the first to be developed.

Bibliography. Bezuijen (2000), Guggisberg (1975), Lekagul & McNeely (1991), Lim & Rahman bin Omar (1961), Muul & Lim (1970), Nowell & Jackson (1996), Payne et al. (1985), Pocock (1932b), Schaffer & Rosenthal (1984), Sunquist & Sunquist (2002).

Figures

28. Pallas’s Cat (Otocolobus manul), 29. Rusty-spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus), 30. Flat-headed Cat (Prionailurus planiceps), 31. Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), 32. Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis)

Distribution. Peninsular Thailand and Malaysia , and islands of Sumatra and Borneo.