European Wild Cat
The European Wild Cat is a sub-species of the Wild Cat that inhabits European forests and scrub grassland as well as forested areas in Turkey and the Caucasus Mountains. It is absent in Scandinavia and has been extirpated in England and Wales. Numbers in Scotland are critically low.
The European Wild Cat is much bigger and stouter than the domestic cat, has a longer pelage and a shorter non-tapering bushy tail. It has a striped fur and a dark dorsal band. Since European Wild Cats and domestic cats interbreed, it is difficult to distinguish European Wild Cat and striped hybrids correctly on the basis of only physical appearance. Although the European Wild Cat physically resembles domesticated cats in most respects, domesticated breeds show a great variety of shapes and colours whilst wild species are pale yellow to medium-brown with black stripes or spots. The underparts are light grey,and sometimes marked with black spots.
The European Wild Cat ranges from 18 to 32 inches in length and weighs between 6 and 13 pounds. Shoulder height averages about 13.5 inches and tail length is about 12 inches.
The European Wild Cat has the same range of vocalisations as a domestic cat, including purring, meowing, hissing, and growling. Except during the mating season, however, they tend to be quiet animals, vocalising only when close to each other.
The European Wild Cat is predominantly nocturnal but is active in the daytime in the absence of human disturbance. It can be found in a wide variety of habitats from deserts and scrub grassland to dry and mixed forest, absent only from rainforest and coniferous forest. It is primarily associated with forest and is found in highest numbers in broad-leaved or mixed forests with low densities of humans. It is also found in Mediterranean maquis scrubland, riparian forest, marsh boundaries and along sea coasts. Areas of intensive cultivation are avoided.
The European Wild Cat is widespread in continental Greece with sightings in all forested areas and many wetlands. There are apparently more sightings in north and north east Greece where the population density seems to be higher. The population trend has not been quantified but is believed to be stable.
Rodents and rabbits are the staple of the European Wild Cat 's diet across its range. Birds are of secondary importance although a variety of small prey is taken.
The European Wild Cat typically breeds only once a year, although a second litter may be produced if the first dies early. The European Wild Cat breeds between February and March. Gestation is from 56 to 69 days and litter sizes range from 1 to 5 kittens, with 3 or 4 being the most common.
Date: 8th May 2015
Location: Evros Delta (east), East Macedonia and Thrace, Greece
The European Wild Cat is much bigger and stouter than the domestic cat, has a longer pelage and a shorter non-tapering bushy tail. It has a striped fur and a dark dorsal band. Since European Wild Cats and domestic cats interbreed, it is difficult to distinguish European Wild Cat and striped hybrids correctly on the basis of only physical appearance. Although the European Wild Cat physically resembles domesticated cats in most respects, domesticated breeds show a great variety of shapes and colours whilst wild species are pale yellow to medium-brown with black stripes or spots. The underparts are light grey,and sometimes marked with black spots.
The European Wild Cat ranges from 18 to 32 inches in length and weighs between 6 and 13 pounds. Shoulder height averages about 13.5 inches and tail length is about 12 inches.
The European Wild Cat has the same range of vocalisations as a domestic cat, including purring, meowing, hissing, and growling. Except during the mating season, however, they tend to be quiet animals, vocalising only when close to each other.
The European Wild Cat is predominantly nocturnal but is active in the daytime in the absence of human disturbance. It can be found in a wide variety of habitats from deserts and scrub grassland to dry and mixed forest, absent only from rainforest and coniferous forest. It is primarily associated with forest and is found in highest numbers in broad-leaved or mixed forests with low densities of humans. It is also found in Mediterranean maquis scrubland, riparian forest, marsh boundaries and along sea coasts. Areas of intensive cultivation are avoided.
The European Wild Cat is widespread in continental Greece with sightings in all forested areas and many wetlands. There are apparently more sightings in north and north east Greece where the population density seems to be higher. The population trend has not been quantified but is believed to be stable.
Rodents and rabbits are the staple of the European Wild Cat 's diet across its range. Birds are of secondary importance although a variety of small prey is taken.
The European Wild Cat typically breeds only once a year, although a second litter may be produced if the first dies early. The European Wild Cat breeds between February and March. Gestation is from 56 to 69 days and litter sizes range from 1 to 5 kittens, with 3 or 4 being the most common.
Date: 8th May 2015
Location: Evros Delta (east), East Macedonia and Thrace, Greece
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Also in: East Macedonia and Thrace
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