African Wild Cat

How cute are they?
African wildcats (Felis lybica) are extremely unique in their appearance. Their kittens are extremely cute and small in size and they grow up to look like majestic beings.

How do they communicate?
African wildcats (like domestic cats) are generally solitary, they communicate only while mating, and in times of danger females signal fear with ears that are flattened and pointed out slightly. They are protective of their territories and their ears can rotate rapidly to identify sounds and signals.

How big is an African wildcat?
Southern African wildcats have a body length of 28 in (70 cm), which is much bigger than the rusty-spotted cat. This wildcat subspecies is recognized as the smallest cat species in the world and has a body length of 14-19 in (35-48 cm).

How fast can an African wildcat run?
The African wildcat can run 50 mph (80kmph) to catch its prey.

How much does an African wildcat weigh?
An African wildcat weighs 7.7 lb (3.5 kg).

What are their male and female names of the species?
There are no specific names for male and female African wildcats (just like with domestic cats) and it is difficult to tell male and female wildcats apart. However, there are certain distinct features that can help tell them apart. For example, a female African wildcat is usually very pale grey with brown striped fur. The female cat is also responsible for taking care of kittens and teaching them how to capture prey.

What would you call a baby African wildcat?
Baby African wildcats are referred to as kittens. An African wildcat normally gives birth to one kitten per litter but, throughout its life, it can give birth to two or three (and sometimes even five) kittens hidden in hollows or burrows. Mothers are protective of their offspring and stay with them at all times. Kittens, when born, are blind hence they are vulnerable to predators like foxes, wolves, large birds, and other wild animals as well as accidents or diseases.

What do they eat?
African wildcat populations are found throughout Africa and in a wide variety of habitats and primarily feed on rats and mice. Apart from this, they consume small birds, insects, and amphibians if available.

Are they slobbery?
Both domestic cats and wild cats are known to keep themselves clean at all times and are considered less slobbery than dogs.

Would they make a good pet?
No, these are not suitable human pets. Keeping an African wildcat pet is not a simple task, although they can be domesticated they cannot be devoid of their instinct to hunt and move about independently. It also essential to check for your local regulations when it comes to owning this unique species. They don’t like human contact and their natural habitat is in the wild in Africa, so removing them from here is not generally a good idea.

What do African wildcats look like?
The African wildcat(Felis lybica) is a wild cat that typically has longer legs than a domestic cat. They have a body length of 18.1-26.2 in (46-66.5 cm) and they have a thin tapering tail which is 15.7 in (40 cm) long. They have partly pointed ears, also called rufus ears, which are highly sensitive and have a reddish coloring on the back of their ears, abdomen, and on their back.

Did you know…

1. The Libyan postal service, in cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) dedicated a postage stamp in honor of these wild cats on November 1, 1997.
2. African wild cats are often bred with domestic cats, hence the increasing amount of mix wild cats with similar features in the world. Pure African wildcats are now decreasing in number due to this increased breeding with domestic cats.
3. These cats rarely drink water and feed on rats and insects available in the wild. Their food digestion is slow, which helps them sustain themselves for longer periods of time.
4. African wildcats move more like cheetahs than domestic cat species since they have long legs setting them apart from other domestic cat species. These unique beings also have ‘tabby’ markings on their body and can easily camouflage into bushes in case predators arrive. When this wild cat sits, its legs raise its body into an almost vertical position which is impossible for domestic cat species to hold. Such a position is seen in Ancient Egyptian bronze Mummy tomb paintings and cases.