Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Cat - Flat Headed Cat

One of the most aquatic of all cats, the Flat Headed Cat shares many attributes with the fishing cat, and yet is one of the most unique of all felids. A small wild cat, the Flat Headed Cat is nearly two feet in length and weighs around six pounds. The distinguishing feature is the flattened head owing to the unusual skull morphology in this member of the cat family.

The coat is usually dark brown with white streaks running along the sides of nose below the large eyes that provide binocular visions. Ears are small and the snout is of a sloping appearance. Legs and tail are short. Toes have webbing that is more enhanced than that of the fishing cat, with long thin pads. Claws are not totally retractable like some other members of the cat family. This unique body structure is designed to assist the Flat Headed Cat in its hunting lifestyle as a small predator of its aquatic habitat. The molars are sharper than other cats and basically assist this interesting cat in holding on to slippery fish.

Prionailurus Planiceps, the Flat Headed Cat is a nocturnal hunter. It is seen in tropical rain forests hunting alongside river banks, marshes and wetlands. Usual prey includes fish, frog and shrimps though rodents and chicken are also taken at times. They also have been known to like fruit and consume sweet potatoes by digging them up in plantations. Flat Headed Cats have been observed in captivity to be very fond of water and submerge completely in search of prey and toys.

Not much is known about these cute cats in their natural environment owing to their rarity and elusive nature. The gestational period is believed to be nearly two months after which a litter of one to four kittens is born. Lifespan in captivity is known to be up to fourteen years.

The Flat Headed Cat was thought to have gone extinct in 1985 but fortunately was seen again in 1995. The darling cat is still classified as vulnerable and is seen in select locations in countries of Southeast Asia. Principal threat is habitat destruction through water pollution and clearing for human settlements. However recent discovery of Flat Headed Cats in palm oil plantations, surviving on rats, is encouraging evidence of the tenacity of this unique cat to survive in various habitats!

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on flat headed cat.

Learn more about cats here: http://ailurophiles.blogspot.com

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Omer_Ashraf

Cat - Rescue Cats

Do you want to give a cat a new home? Then you may be interested in a "rescue cat".

Many cats are abandoned by their owners or are left roaming the streets. These cats not only have a poor standard of life but they also are vulnerable to illness and disease. This is no good for any cat.

Besides, we all deserve to be loved!

Rescue cats are cats that have been saved from a life of scavenging or even saved from death because of their cruel and cowardly owners.

Unfortunately, other owners cannot keep a cat because of lack of space, lack of funds or through illness. Rescue cats are cats that may have found a brighter future.

There are organisations that are specifically dedicated to saving and rehoming unfortunate cats. They are usually run by volunteers who all share their love for cats. They raise money through donations and can provide the cats in their charge with shelter, food and veterinary care.

They aim to rehouse all their cats into homes that are suitable for them to live in. Most times, however, prospective owners wish to have cute cats or kittens. In this case, the older or more infirm cats get left behind, destined to spend the rest of their lives in the cat home.

There are individuals, also, that provide rescue care for helpless cats. They are, once again, dedicated individuals and they often have a connection with the established, or official, rescue homes.

Most times, if you wish to have a "rescue cat", you will find that the cat has been well cared for by the rescuer, has been fed and watered well and has had a thorough check up with the veterinary surgeon. They will usually have been neutered if that had not already been done.

Rescue cats can provide much love for individuals and families and, by getting one, you can be sure your are helping a cat who really has been in need.