European Wildcat

The European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) is a subspecies of the wildcat that inhabits forests of Western, Central, Eastern and Southern Europe, as well as Scotland, Turkey and the Caucasus Mountains; it has been extirpated from Scandinavia, England, and Wales. Some authorities restrict F. s. silvestris to populations of the European mainland, in which case populations of Scotland, Mediterranean islands, Turkey and Caucasus are regarded as separate subspecies.

The physical appearance of the European wildcat is much bulkier than that of the African wildcat and the domestic cat, although its weight is similar to the average housecat, as males of the species weigh an average of 5 kg (11 lb) and females 3.5 kg (7.7 lb), with strong seasonal weight fluctuations of up to 2.5 kg. The wildcat's thick fur, size and non-tapered tail are its distinguishing traits; it normally would not be mistaken for the domestic cat, although in practice, it is less clear whether the two are frequently correctly distinguished, as one study showed an error rate of 39%. Predominantly nocturnal, the wildcat is active in the daytime in the absence of human disturbance.
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Scottish Wildcat Photographed

The Scottish wildcat, also known as the Highland tiger, is so reclusive that scientists don’t know much about it. Camera traps set in the Cairngorms National Park are now yielding pictures of the cats that may help conservationists protect the animal.

The research is being led by Dr David Hetherington of the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

He told BBC Scotland: “Wildcats are very shy, secretive animals. They are active mainly at night and it’s really difficult for people to get close enough to watch them properly.

“These camera traps are an excellent way of us getting a much better insight into where wildcats live, when they’re active, and what habitat they’re using.

“We can also get an idea of where they don’t live and, of course, that’s also really important information.”

Experts believe the Scottish wildcat population has fallen to about 400, and work is under way to prevent the species becoming extinct.

The biggest threat to the wildcat’s survival as a species is their tendency to interbreed with domestic cats. The Scottish wildcat is the last wild feline predator in Scotland. Link -Via: ForteanTimes, Via: Neatorama

(image credit: Neil Anderson)

Jaguarundi

The Texas jaguarundi is a small endangered wildcat that lives along the border between Texas and Mexico. The jaguarundi was put on the federal endangered species list in 1976, but the Department of the Interior has never formulated a plan to protect the cat, as required under the Endangered Species Act.

One commenter said the jaguarundi looks like a cross between a cat and a mossy tree. Link, Via: Neatorama