Looks are deceiving, however, as European wildcats typically weigh 3 to 6 kilograms, about the same as African wildcats. The European wildcat is a compact animal with comparatively short legs and tail that usually exceeds half of its head and body length.
The African wildcat, formerly known as Felis libyca, would be the ancestor and it is now considered to belong to the same widely distributed species as the European wildcat (F. silvestris) and its Asian relatives (formerly F. ocreata).
The European wildcat is found in the north and east of Europe, also in the Scottish Highlands. It is a forest dweller and has a yellowish-grey fur with black markings.
Though European wildcats eat a variety of small prey, there are numerous reports indicating that these cats are primarily rodent catchers. They do, however, also feed on larger animals, such as hares, rabbits and young deer.
European wildcat
