DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
Europe. It lives in deciduous and mixed forests with rich undergrowth. In Poland, it occurs only in part of the Podkarpackie and Małopolskie voivodships.
BEHAVIOUR
Most active in the late afternoon and at dawn. Loner, except during the mating season. Usually hunts on the ground, but also climbs well. The hunting ground is marked by the secretions of various scent glands. Chooses lair in empty trunks, rock clefts, under the roots, sometimes in abandoned fox burrows.
DIET
Rodents, moles, shrews, hares, birds. In harsh winters, it also eats carrion of ungulates.
REPRODUCTION
It reaches sexual maturity at the age of 2-3 years. Gestation: 63-69 days. The female gives birth to 1-7 young in a nest hidden under the roots of fallen trees, sometimes in large hollows. The young become independent at the age of 5 – 6 months. Lifespan: up to 15 years.
GOOD TO KNOW
The wildcat scratching tree trunks, not only sharpens its claws, also leaves a fragrance – gland secretion from the fingertips.
- Latin name: Felis silvestris
- IUCN –Red List – LC – least concern/ mniejszej troski
- CITES – Appendix II
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