Animal Fact Sheet
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Arabian Wildcat
Felis sylvestris tristami
What does it look
like?
Wildcats are somewhat larger and more robust than their cousins,
the domestic cat. Tabby-like lines mark their faces and vertical
stripes extend from their backs to bellies. Fur color varies from
a grayish tan to iron or silver, depending on the habitat wildcats
occupy.
- Females generally have paler markings than males
- Their black-striped tails are bushy with rounded ends
- Distinguished from the large cats, small cats such as wildcats
cannot roar because of an ossified bone in the vocal apparatus
- They possess a hairless strip along the front of the nose
- Small cats rest with their forepaws tucked beneath their body
and the tail wrapped round them
- Big cats rest with their paws in front and tails extended straight
behind
- Small cats feed in a crouched position whereas big cats lie
down to feed
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| Where
in the world?
Wildcat populations have been found in Egypt, Palestine and Europe,
particularly in such mountainous regions as the Balkans. The vast
ranges of color and skull analysis have established that domestic
cats' pedigrees derived from wildcat populations in Egypt from as
early as
600-200 BC.
What are some behaviors?
During the day, wildcats are tucked away in rocky crevices, trees
or underground burrows. Sometimes they are active during the day
if it is cool and cloudy.
Wildcats are good climbers and escape predators
by climbing trees. When defending their territory or confronting
a predator, they arch their backs, raise their hair, and strike
with extended claws, behaviors their domestic cousins inherited.
What about offspring?
Once a year, after a gestation of about 63-69 days, females give
birth to a litter size of three to six kittens in rocks or tree
hollows. |
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What does it eat?
Wildcats become active at dusk hunting small mammals such as hares
and rodents, birds, lizards and insects. Their basic hunting technique
of stalking was perfected in dense habitats where prey was scarce
and territories defined. Where prey is abundant, cats often live
in groups to defend and exploit food resources.
Is it threatened
or endangered?
The most serious threat to small cats is habitat destruction. |
