Prionailurus planiceps
flat-headed cat

The historical range of the flatheaded cat is restricted to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula up to the Isthmus of Kra. This cat was declared extinct in 1985, and was not rediscovered until spotted in palm oil plantations in Malaysia. In 1995 the cat was also sighted in a national park on the Merang River in Southeast Sumatra. The biologists assigned to the park had not previously heard of the flatheaded cat. (Bezuijen, 2000; ISEC Canada,2000; IUCN, 1996).

Flatheaded cats apparently spend much of their time close to water. They are found in wetlands and in floodplains in the tropical jungles of Malaysia. Many reported sightings are near or on riverbanks, swampy areas, oxbow lakes, and riverine forests. This species has not been reported at elevations greater than 700 meters. (IUCN, 1996; Kitchner, 1991; Riccut, 1979; Muum and Lim, 1970).

Flatheaded cats are about the size of a housecat, but are easily distinguished by their broad, flattened heads, small ears set well down on the sides of the skull, stumpy legs, and comparatively short tails. The width of the head seems to be increased by the large eyes.

The thick, soft pelage is a reddish brown, tipped with white. This gives the look of a silvery-grey tinge to the coat. Two well-defined pale lines run from the eyes to the ears, and dark spots and stripes are sometimes described on the body. The underparts of this cat are white with brown spots. The inside of the limbs and underside of the tail are reddish-brown.

The body is somewhat long for its size, the effect of which is enhanced by the shortness of the legs. The paws are long and narrow, and the tips of their claws remain partially visible, as they do not retract entirely. The toes are more fully webbed than those of the closely related fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrina).

The nasals are short and narrow, and the long rostrum causes the teeth to be aligned in parallel rows. All teeth are sharp, and the anterior upper premolar is larger and better developed than in any other cat. It has two roots, and the cusps extend to the level of the carnassials. These modifications to the jaws probably aid in catching and holding fish, and are common in piscivores. All the body and limb modifications are consistent with those expected of a semi-aquatic mammal.

Males are typically larger than females, and measure 42 cm to 50 cm long. Females are between 33 cm and 37 cm in length. The thickly-furred tails are approximately 15 cm to 20 cm long. P. planiceps stands about 30 cm in height and ranges in weight from 1.5 kg to 3 kg, with the females usually around the minimal weight of 1.5 kg.

(ISEC Canada, 2000; IUCN, 1996; Kitchner, 1991; Muum and Lim, 1970; Ricciut, 1979)

A flatheaded cat held in captivity lived up to age 14 years. No information is available on lifespan in the wild. (ISEC Canada, 2000).

Little is known about the behavior of the rarely seen flatheaded cat. A kitten captured from Sungei Rompin in Pahang eagerly played for hours in a basin of water, and such aquatic tendencies should be expected based upon the morphology of the species. The kitten also played in streams of water being used to clean its cage, pawing and biting at the water. The eating habits of the kitten are described in section on food habits. Flatheaded cats are thought to be primarily nocturnal or crepuscular (Muum and Lim, 1970).

Closely related cats (fishing cats and leopard cats) are thought to be mainly solitary (Nowak, 1999). It is likely that flatheaded cats resemble their relatives in this respect.

The diet of P. planiceps appears to be primarily fish and sometimes frogs and shrimp. These cats have been known to like fruit, and prey on rodents in the Malay palm oil plantations. They sometimes also take chickens. They are reportedly occasionally destructive in gardens, where they dig up sweet potatoes and fruits. Flatheaded cats discovered on the Malay Peninsula were apparently feeding on the numerous rats on the plantations.

A kitten held in captivity eagerly fished at depths limited by the basin to 12 centimeters, well over its head. It often washed objects in a manner similar to a racoon. It would pounce on a prey item, snarl, then take it about two meters away from the place where it was offered. This latter behavior is thought to be so that fish and frogs could not easily escape back into the water once caught. The captive kitten eagerly ate live frogs and fish, but showed no interest in young sparrows brought into the cage. (ISEC Canada, 2000; Muum and Lim, 1970).

Predation on this species has not been reported. It does not have any overt adaptations thought to be related to anti-predator strategies.

By its behavior and morphology, flatheaded cats seem to take on the role usual for a semi-aquatic mustelid. Only five mustelids occur in Western Malaysia, none of which can described as a competitor for the role this cat seems to fill. (Muul and Lim,1970).

Flatheaded cats are secondary or tertiary consumers. If they were common, they might have a significant impact on fish, frog, and rodent populations. However, because of their rarity, it is unlikely that this species currently plays a significant role in the food webs of its native habitat.

Adverse impacts from this very rare cat are minimal. Flatheaded cats have been known to occasionally raid a chicken coop, and have also been seen digging sweet potatoes and fruits in gardens in Malaysia, but the rarity of the species precludes any serious negative effect on humans of these occasional behaviors. (IUCN, 1996).

Little economic impact is to be expected from seldom-seen flatheaded cats. Some flatheaded cats were seen feeding on rats on plantations, so some pest-control benefits can be had from this predator. (ISEC Canada, 2000), although the low population size probably limits this utility.

Flatheaded cats are fully protected over most of the species range, with hunting and trade prohibited in the countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand, and hunting regulated in Singapore. No legal protections are in place for flatheaded cats in Brunei. Currently the chief threats to flatheaded cats are water pollution and contamination of their prey. Water pollution is chiefly associated with industry, oil, and agricultural runoff. In addition, habitat destruction is expected as human settlements move into forests along waterways (IUCN ,1996).

Captive flatheaded cats have always been extremely rare. There are currently only two flatheaded cats in captivity. Both are males. One is in Melaka Zoo in Malaysia, the other is in a zoo in Kuala Lumpur. Lincon Park Zoo in Chicago had an old pair, but they died more than a decade ago. (Shoemaker 2001)