Wild Cat

Main Characteristics
Wild Cats are the only feline species that is native to the United Kingdom. They have a body length between 50 and 75 cms (20 - 30 inches), a tail length between 21 and 35 cms (8.5 - 14 inches) and they weigh between 3 and 8 kgs (6.5 - 18 lbs).

They are grey/brown in colour with dark stripes and they have a light coloured underside. They have a thick tail that is marked with dark coloured rings.

Habitat
Wild Cats can be found in a variety of habitats including the woodlands, forests, grasslands and scrub lands of Europe, Africa and west and central Asia.

Diet
Wild Cats are carnivores and they mainly feed on rodents, rabbits, lizards, frogs, birds and fish.

Breeding
After a gestation period of 63 - 68 days, Wild Cats give birth to 2 - 6 young. They are weaned between 1 and 2 months old but they remain with their mother until they are around 6 months old. They reach sexual maturity at 9 - 12 months old.

Predators
Predators of Wild Cats include red foxes, grey wolves, owls, hawks and other cats.

Subspecies
Subspecies of the Wild Cat include:

Felis silvestris cafra
Felis silvestris caucasica
Felis silvestris caudata
Felis silvestris chutuchta
Felis silvestris cretensis
Felis silvestris foxi
Felis silvestris gordoni
Felis silvestris grampia
Felis silvestris griselda
Felis silvestris haussa
Felis silvestris iraki
Felis silvestris jordansi
Felis silvestris lybica
Felis silvestris mellandi
Felis silvestris nesterovi
Felis silvestris ocreata
Felis silvestris ornata
Felis silvestris reyi
Felis silvestris rubida
Felis silvestris silvestris
Felis silvestris tristrami
Felis silvestris ugandae
Felis silvestris vellerosa

Interesting Facts

Wild Cats are also known as:
Wildcat
Wild-cat