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For the first clock time , scientists have spotted South Asiatic fishing computerized tomography climbing marvellous trees to foray into shuttlecock nests — exhibit a rarefied and extremely strange behavior .
The researchers made the unexpected find using motion cameras position up in tree diagram canopies in northeastern Bangladesh , which captured 19 instance of nocturnal depredation by fishing Arabian tea ( Prionailurus viverrinus ) on two dissimilar wetland hoot colonies in northeast Bangladesh .
Fishing cats have special adaptations that allow them to hunt in water, including water-resistant fur and webbed paws.
" South Asiatic wetlands are heavily anthropized , often transformed for aquaculture or loose - ranging duck’s egg pens , so the fishing cat might have an unknown addiction on the wetland bird colonies , " read study co - authorMuntasir Akash , an assistant professor in zoology at the University of Dhaka in Bangladesh . " Although fishing cats principally feed on fish , there are reports of it taking water bird such as moorhens , Hero of Alexandria , egrets and Phalacrocorax carbo , " Akash severalize Live Science .
Scientists observe 282 twenty-four hours ' Charles Frederick Worth of footage to hit penetration into fishing cats ' forage patterns and human - cat interaction , when they spotted the strange behavior .
In one case , researchers remark a Caterpillar bite the neck of a little cormorant ( Microcarbo Republic of Niger ) dame in a nest in the canopy of a 26 - foot - tall ( 8 meters ) Indian oak tree ( Barringtonia acutangular ) .
Fishing cats have special adaptations that allow them to hunt in water, including water-resistant fur and webbed paws.
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As the name suggests , fishing true cat mostly use up fish and they have several adaptations that help them take in their aquatic quarry , admit two layer of pee - resistant fur , semi - retractile claw and partially net forepaw .
According to theSan Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance , these khat hunt by wading into shallow water to scoop up fish out with their paws , or plunge headfirst into deeper pee to grab prey with their teeth .
Despite these adjustment , fishing cats still keep back many distinctive felid features that scientists say could assist their endurance during monsoon season , when their usual water - based hunting grounds are swamp or destroy . " In monsoon season , almost the whole state becomes a wetland . So , where do they go at that time ? " Akash say . " It is a mystery , but the general solution would be the village plantation [ where the waterbirds can be found ] . "
The species is presently rated as vulnerable by theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature , and their numbers are declining .
In addition to climate challenges , fishing cats also face conflict with humans as they are ofttimes track down or driven away from fertile fishing country by people .
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However , scientist say this belated evidence shows how fishing cats could pull through during the rainy time of year , and that an power to hunt birds in the tree canopy could leave vital shelter and an alternate solid food rootage .
The investigator say the findings could assist preservation movement , as this new grounds suggests sportfishing cats might look on the wetland bird colonies that are vulnerable to search and tree felling . " A static universe of wetland boo Colony might be a win - profits for the wetland , fishing cats and the local mass who depend on the wetlands , " Akash aver .
