Nature Photographers Ltd

Wild Cat Felis silvestris Length 75-100cm Resembles a large, tabby domestic cat but subtle differences allow separation. Mainly nocturnal. Adult has greyish brown fur with vertical stripes along flanks and dark vertebral line on back. Tail is thick, bushy and blunt-tipped, marked with 3-5 dark and discrete bands. ‘Wild-type’ domestics have ill-defined flank stripes and tapering tail. Mews, purs and spits like domestic cat. Once widespread, now confined to Scotland; favours rugged moors, forest margins and lower mountain slopes.