On our site we will discover the details about a quite unknown breed and with which we must take certain precautions if we intend to adopt and include one of these felines in our family. Although there are those who have them as pets, these cats are wild and are listed as endangered wild species, so we must not neglect the relevant legal issues, in addition to the ethical and moral ones, which change depending on the area in which we live. Here's all the details on the wildcat, an amazing and exotic feline,
Origin of the wildcat
The bobcat is the predecessor of the domestic cats that currently share our homes with us. It is a wild cat, a feral carnivorous mammal that is scattered throughout forests of Africa, America, Asia and Europe In some places the destruction of their habitats and other factors have caused this species to be threatened, being included in the list of endangered species.
Within the category of wildcat we find several species, which are distributed throughout the world, being Felis Silvestris or European wild cat the name for the species found in Eurasia. This wildcat is quite similar to a domestic cat, but larger and lynx-like. The North American species is called Lynx rufus and we find it in the territory from southern Canada to southern Mexico. Its South American relative is the Leopardus geoffroyi or geoffroy, also in South America we find the Leopardus colocolo or cat of the grasslands.
Now, focusing on the origin of the wildcat in general, we can say that its ancestor is the Mastelli wildcat (Felis lunensis), which lived in Europe during the Pliocene, expanding first to the Middle East and later to Asia and Africa, giving rise to the steppe wildcat more than 10,000 years ago.
Currently, in Spain there are three subspecies:
- Felis silvestris silvestris, located in the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula.
- Felis lybica jordansi, which would be the African wildcat and we would find it on the island of Mallorca.
- Felis silvestris tartessia, which is larger and has darker fur than its congeners and would extend through the center and south of the peninsular territory.
Physical Characteristics of the Wildcat
When talking about the characteristics of the wild cat, it should be noted that its appearance is practically the same as that of the Iberian lynx, being usually impossible to distinguish them except for the smaller size of the wildcats. The existence of hybrids between these two species has even been recorded.
Thus, the bobcat has a fur between brown and gray, with a tabby or spotted pattern. Said hair is thick, dense, of medium length and satin-like. Its tail is elongated with a round tip. And its characteristics ears are large and pointed, usually with a reddish background.
The body of the mountaineer is muscular and robust as well as slim and flexible. Due to its large size, the bobcat is considered a giant cat, weighing up to 8 kilograms and measuring from 5 to 120 cm tall. Their life expectancy is usually between 6 and 12 years, with specimens that have reached 14 years being found.
Wildcat Character
Being a wild animal, it is a solitary and quiet feline but it can be aggressive if its life is threatened or when it is hunting, since their livelihood is at stake. In addition, the wildcat is a territorial animal, which will not hesitate to defend its habitat, especially the males, who will also mark their territory with scratches and urine, which they will only share with females and not with other males.
Except in winter, the wild cat is a nocturnal animal that hunts and is active during the hours after sunset. However, when it is the cold season, it adapts to the hours of activity of its prey, becoming a diurnal animal for a few months. This detail of its personality allows us to see that it is an animal that easily adapts to new environments and ways of life, which is why there are specimens that have become in pets of families around the world. Of course, let's remember that the character of the wild cat is not like that of a domestic cat, so its natural aggressive temperament can arise whenever it feels threatened.
Feeding and needs of the wildcat
In its natural habitat, made up of woody areas relatively isolated from urban centers and human populations distributed throughout Europe, the wildcat is it adapts to life in thicket areas, deciduous forests and more leafy areas in the northern region of the continent. In Spain it is scattered throughout the peninsula and the Balearic Islands.
In the wild these animals feed on the prey they themselves hunt. The feeding of the wildcat is usually based on rabbits, hares and other rodents, although their prey is varied and even deer may be among them. If food is scarce, bobcats can become scavengers, feeding on the remains of other animals. Let us remember that they are animals with a great capacity for adaptation.
The wildcat reproductive cycle has several phases. The period of heat usually covers from February to March, taking into account the gestation, which lasts between 60 and 70 days. In this way, the cats would give birth to litters from April to May that are usually about three puppies on average. The females are in charge of the care of the young, who will take care of the offspring until approximately 9 months of age.
Since they are not pets, to have a wildcat as a pet you must be up to date with the legislation in force in our area. Likewise, normally if it is possible to have it, it must be with the relevant licenses and documentation in order, because in addition to being wild cats they are in danger of extinction, like other big cats, for which hunting is completely prohibited, their habitat must be respected and try to avoid killing their prey, which will be vital for your survival.
In the past its main predators were animals such as the wolf and the puma, but today the greatest danger to the cat's livelihood wildcat is the human, which with the destruction of its habitat and hunting has caused wildcat populations to be considerably reduced. Therefore, since humans are largely to blame, we have a responsibility to take action in this regard, so in this article to explain "How to protect endangered animals?" we are given a series of actions that we can take or avoid, in case these actions could be harmful, to protect this and other threatened species.
Wildcat He alth
Normally wildcats are very resistant animals, but as can happen with domestic cats, they can be affected by the feline coronavirus, parvovirus, feline leukemia, distemper and conditions caused by parasites, which are usually infected by the rodents they feed on, or the environment in which they live. Also, being a wild animal, we must not forget deaths from natural causes or fights between wild cats, which can cause serious infections and bleeding.
We take this opportunity to highlight the importance of going to professionals in the event of finding an injured or sick wildcat. In such cases, it is advisable to call the authorities, contact forest rangers or go directly to wildlife recovery centers to report the finding and let them be those who take care of the animal's he alth.
