Photos (c) Art Wolfe www.artwolfe.com
 

Flat-headed Cat - Prionailurus planticeps

Weight: 12-18 lbs
Head/Body: 22 in
Tail: 7 in
Subspecies: 1

A very unusual cat, the flat-headed cat is omnivorous, being equally content with prey or vegetation. It is about the size of the domestic cat, but with a very long body, short legs and tail, and a broad, flat head with a ridge formed by the nasal bones and small round ears. Its coat is reddish-brown to dark brown, with a yellowish-brown face and white underparts. The underside of its tail is yellowish-brown.

The flat-headed cat may be found in the forests and scrub of southeastern Asia, often near human habitation and farms, where it hunts by night, from the ground, and seeks rodents, frogs, other small animals, fruit, sweet potatoes, and other legumes. It often raids garbage cans and gardens, and fills the ecological niche that in other parts of the world is filled by raccoons, weasels, and stoats.