The fishing cat and elusive small wild cats and wetland mammals can I see them and how
I am fascinated by the elusive small cats and I read Sri Lanka has the FISHING CAT (a wetland cat that catches fish) and other small wild cats like the rusty spotted cat plus other shy wetland mammals Can a visitor realistically see a fishing cat where do they live is it a night thing and what about the other small mammals I am not expecting a leopard style safari just the real chance of seeing these secretive creatures Wildlife folks and guides please tell me how
2 Answers from travellers
Naturalist so the elusive small cats and wetland mammals picture honestly The fishing cat real and special the FISHING CAT (handun diviya) is a medium sized wild cat adapted to WETLANDS it swims and catches FISH (and frogs and prey) a fascinating water loving cat it lives in marshes wetlands reedbeds and waterways across the island INCLUDING remarkably the URBAN WETLANDS of Colombo (the city wetlands and marshes are a known fishing cat habitat there is even urban fishing cat research) so they live closer to people than you might think Can you see one MANAGE EXPECTATIONS they are SHY NOCTURNAL and elusive so a sighting is UNCOMMON and a matter of patience and luck (not a guaranteed safari animal) do not expect an easy view but a real chance exists with effort How to maximise the chance NIGHT is the time a guided NIGHT visit or drive in the right wetland habitat with a knowledgeable naturalist and a spotlight gives you the best (still slim but real) chance the Colombo wetlands and the wetland reserves and marshes around the country are the habitats some wetland focused eco lodges and the dry zone tanks and marshes are good a specialist guide who knows local fishing cat spots is essential Other elusive small cats and mammals the RUSTY SPOTTED CAT (one of the worlds smallest wild cats tiny nocturnal and very elusive) the JUNGLE CAT the small carnivores (CIVETS the palm civet MONGOOSES) and OTTERS in the waterways most are nocturnal and best sought on a night walk or drive (the same outings that find the loris) the wetlands and forests hold them How to do it go with a naturalist guide who specialises in or knows the nocturnal wildlife do NIGHT walks and drives in wetland and forest habitats be patient use red light keep quiet and respect the animals and treasure any sighting as a real prize so realistically the FISHING CAT (the fish catching wetland cat found even in Colombos urban wetlands) and the other small cats and wetland mammals are SHY and NOCTURNAL so sightings are uncommon and never guaranteed but with a specialist guide on NIGHT walks and drives in the right wetland and forest habitats you have a real if slim chance be patient go at night with an expert and treasure any glimpse
The fish catching wetland cat found even in Colombos urban wetlands shy and nocturnal so uncommon to see but with a specialist guide on night walks in the right habitats a real if slim chance be patient and treasure any glimpse this is exactly the honest how to I wanted thank you
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