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Flat-headed Cat (Prionailurus planiceps)

MammalWild catWetlandAsia

Flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps), a small cat with a long low head and close-set eyes.

Flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps).

Image: Jim Sanderson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

The flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps) is a small, secretive wild cat of Southeast Asia, named for its distinctive long, low, flattened head and close-set, forward eyes. About the size of a small domestic cat, it is one of the most water-loving cats in the world and is strongly tied to rivers, swamps, and other wetlands.

Several features mark it as a fishing specialist: partly webbed feet, claws that do not fully retract into their sheaths, and sharp, pointed teeth well suited to gripping slippery prey. Its eyes are set high and far forward, helpful for judging the position of prey at the water's surface.

The flat-headed cat lives on the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, and Sumatra, and is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, largely because the lowland wetlands it needs are being drained, polluted, and converted.

Habitat & Range

This cat is a wetland specialist, found chiefly in lowland tropical forest close to water — along rivers and streams and in swampy areas and peat swamp forest. It rarely strays far from freshwater, and the destruction of these lowland wetlands for agriculture (including oil-palm plantations), aquaculture, and settlement is the main pressure on the species.

Diet

The flat-headed cat feeds heavily on aquatic prey — fish, frogs, and crustaceans — and also takes small rodents and other small animals. Its teeth and partly webbed paws suit a diet of slippery, wriggling prey caught in or beside the water, and captive cats have been seen “washing” food and dipping their heads to grab items underwater.

Behavior

Flat-headed cats are nocturnal and rarely seen, which keeps much of their natural behaviour poorly known. They are thought to be solitary and to forage along watercourses at night. Their strong association with water sets them apart from most cats, which tend to avoid getting wet.

Human Interaction & Conservation

The flat-headed cat is Endangered, and its decline is driven mainly by the loss and degradation of lowland freshwater habitats, along with water pollution and reduced fish stocks. Protecting intact wetland and riverine forest is central to its survival. Consult the IUCN Red List for the current assessment.

More photos of the flat-headed cat

A flat-headed cat showing its flattened forehead and small rounded ears.

Flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps).

Image: Thibaud Aronson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Flat-headed Cat

Why is it called the flat-headed cat?
Because of its unusually long, low, and flattened head, with eyes set close together and far forward. This profile, together with part-webbed feet and non-fully-retractable claws, suits a cat that hunts in and around water.
Does the flat-headed cat really catch fish?
Yes. It is one of the most aquatic of the small cats and feeds largely on fish, frogs, and crustaceans. Its pointed teeth and partly webbed paws are adaptations for gripping slippery prey at the water's edge.
How is it related to the fishing cat?
Both belong to the genus Prionailurus, the Asian leopard-cat group, and both are wetland hunters — but they are separate species. The fishing cat is larger; the flat-headed cat is smaller and has its characteristic low, flat head.
Is the flat-headed cat endangered?
Yes — it is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, primarily because the lowland wetlands it depends on are being drained, polluted, and converted to other uses. Check the IUCN Red List for the latest status.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.