European Wild Cat

Status : Hybridization has intered the wildcats line for 100's of years. Being more advanced in hybridization than in any other wildcat region. There is great controvercy as to what percent of the modern day wildcat is pure. During the past 300 years the range of the European wildcat, through pressures bought about by hunting and the spread of human population, has been significantly reduced.

Location : found in scattered populations in parts of Europe and Asia west of the Urals and the Caspian except the arctic. Several island populations on Sardinia, Crete and other Mediterranean islands are also recognised as part of the European group by some, whilst others maintain a closer link to the lybica group (African wildcat).

Description : Fur of the European species is dark in color, ranging from slate grey to a darker mid brown and is marked similarly to a domestic tabby, except that the stripes are spaced further apart and are often less pronounced. Similar in size to a large domestic cat, the European wildcat has a broader head, longish fur and a shorter, blunted tail - white patches are often to be found on the throat, chest and abdomen. However, recent specimens of the Scottish black coated wildcat, known locally as the 'Kellas Cat' have been subject to further morphological study and of the eight specimens studied one has been authoritatively established as a pure melanistic wildcat.
Found to be mostly nocturnal and has been recorded to travel 6 miles per night. Hunting during the dark and resting in the daytime. They are known to cache their kill during winter. Rabbits and rodents make up their main diet but also birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.

Habitat : Mainly forested areas - F.s.silvestris preferring coniferous cover, the Caucasian sub-species in deciduous woodland , the Scottish wildcat in more open heathland and rocky moorland. Also found in swampy areas.