The European wildcat distributions show a fragmented pattern, with populations across the entire Iberian Peninsula, northeastern France bordering Belgium, Germany, Scotland, Italy, Greece, Eastern Europe, Turkey, and the Caucasus.
The species behaves as a facultative specialist predator, capable of surviving on a wide variety of prey (from insects to hares), but facultatively specializing on wild rabbit (Orcytolagus cuniculusL.) or rodents depending upon their availability.
Wildcats live in habitats that satisfy two main requirements: shelter and food. Woodlands and areas of dense gorse or juniper thickets provide shelter and resting places.
Wildcats require open patches of habitat, such as pastures or riparian areas, for hunting. However, when moving around their territories, they prefer to avoid open areas, using woodland or scrub and stream edges for cover. The Spanish Red Data List for Mammals stated that wildcats are mainly forest inhabitants. In Spain there are various types of open habitat which might be suitable for wildcats, such as semi–arid environments, or agricultural steppes where the landscape is dominated by crops
Young forestry plantations in particular are also an important habitat for wildcats because they are protected from grazing and support a high density of small mammal prey. Rocky areas also provide den shelters for female wildcats during the breeding season.
Habitat
of Wild cat
