Wildcat Scottish

The wildcat physically resembles a domesticated cat in most respects. Although domesticated breeds show a great variety of shapes and colors, wild... more

by Marcia Colelli

Title

Wildcat Scottish

Artist

Marcia Colelli

Medium

Photograph - Photographs

Description

The wildcat physically resembles a domesticated cat in most respects. Although domesticated breeds show a great variety of shapes and colors, wild species are pale yellow to medium-brown with black stripes or spots. The underparts are light grey,and sometimes marked with black spots.
Wildcats range from 45 to 80 centimeters (18 to 31 in) in length, and weigh between 3 and 6 kilograms (6.6 and 13 lb). Shoulder height averages about 35 centimeters (14 in) and tail length is about 30 centimetres (12 in). However, other sources can be misleading and sometimes say that the Scottish Wildcat is twice the size of a domestic cat, but this is not true domestic cats are around the same size.
Wildcats also have the same range of vocalizations as domestic cats, including purring, meowing, hissing, and growling. Except during the mating season, they tend to be quiet animals, vocalising only when close to each other. A wildcat's meow has been described as being like a domestic cat's only without the 'e'; more like 'mau'. The wildcat is extremely wary of humans, and avoids approaching human settlements. It lives in solitude and holds a territory of anything from 1.5 to 12 square kilometers (0.58 to 4.6 sq mi), depending on the local environment. Males tend to hold larger territories than females, and their ranges overlap those of from three to six neighboring females. Wildcats of both sexes mark their ranges by depositing feces in prominent locations and by leaving scent marks through urine spraying, cheek rubbing, and scratching the ground.
The female Scottish Wildcat is known to be an extremely devoted parent, especially when it comes to driving away predators. One individual was even recorded to have fought and killed an adult golden eagle who was attacking her kits, even though she was horribly wounded in the process. A female wildcat also makes sure the nest is as clean as possible, carrying away any feces or any other debris far away from the site. This is to make sure predators do not smell the kits too easily and track them down. However, no-one is certain whether the male plays a part in parenting. Some naturalists say that, like domestic cats, the male leaves the family as soon as he has mated with the female and may even eat the kits if he finds them. Other sources say that the male stays with the female until the kits have left the nest before leaving, and others say that he stays with her for life, so it is very confusing.

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April 9th, 2013