[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Less than a hundred years ago Wildcats could be found in many parts of the U.K. Today, the last few hundred individuals are confined to the highlands of Scotland, and even they're at risk.
These feline beasties have been described as the 'British Tiger', and although there are numerous sightings of other escaped big cats in Britain, these are our last remaining native wild felines. Sadly, many true Wildcats have interbred with the ever increasing population of feral domestic cats, producing hybrid kittens. If they continue breeding in this way, true Scottish Wildcats as we know them today could become extinct.
The majority of Wildcat kittens will be born this month. There can be up to five kittens in a litter. They're blind at birth, but have a full coat of fur, and at one week old they're able to hiss and spit at anything which upsets them.
Scientific name: Felis sylvestris
Size: 85 to 110cm, of which 25cm is tail.
Distribution: Up until the 1800's wildcats were found in many parts of Britain. Today they are mainly confined to northern Scotland.
Months seen: All year
Life Span: Wildcats can live for up to twelve years
Habitat: Found on high hills. Lives in old fox dens, hollow trees or in dens under rocks
Food: Rabbits, hares, mice, voles and birds
Special features: Wildcats look a little like large domestic tabby cats. They differ from feral cats (which are domestic cats gone wild) in that the tail has black rings all along it and a rounded black tip. Feral cats have a more pointed tail.
Some Wildcats breed with feral domestic cats, producing hybrids, which can lead to some confusion. The foot pads of the Wildcat are black, and they have a split M-shaped (^ ^) black marking over the eyes. They have long white whiskers which are very brittle.
Wildcats do most of their hunting at dawn and dusk, which is when their prey is most active. During the daytime they rest up in trees and on rocks.
Wildcats breed in March, and again in May or June. The kittens are born two months later. Each litter usually contains between three and five kittens. They are blind at birth, but have a full coat of fur. At six weeks of age they are quite mobile and will follow the mother around outside the den.
Mon Jul 29, 2013 6:01 pm