At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- FaunaHub record reviewed
- Checked against IUCN
- Matches source — IUCN's 2015 global assessment of Prionailurus planiceps says EndangeredChecked 2026-10-09 against IUCN's Red List export published 2026-07-28 · assessment
Conservation overview
The flat-headed cat is a small, wetland-dwelling wild cat with a long, low head, adapted for catching fish and frogs. It is assessed as Endangered.
It has partly webbed feet and is one of the most water-loving cats.
Range & habitat
Wetlands and lowland forests of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Destruction of lowland wetlands
- Water pollution
- Reduced fish stocks
Why it matters
A specialised fishing cat tied to vanishing lowland wetlands, the flat-headed cat is a flagship for Southeast Asia's freshwater habitats.
Sources
Sources for Flat-headed Cat
- IUCN Red List — look up Flat-headed Cat (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the flat-headed cat suited to water?
It has a long, flat head, partly webbed feet, and teeth adapted for slippery prey, and it hunts fish, frogs, and crustaceans in and beside wetlands.
Why is the flat-headed cat Endangered?
Published assessments cite the destruction of lowland wetlands, water pollution, and reduced fish stocks. See the IUCN Red List.