A wild cat species, the African Wild Cat is one of the oldest felines in evolutionary terms. It resides in parts of Africa and Arabian peninsula.
The African Wild Cat, also known as African Desert Cat, appears to
have evolved as a unique specie many thousands of years ago. Its
coloration varies from sandy yellow to gray as it ranges from arid to
forested habitats. Body length is around one half to three quarters of
a meter with weight ranging from five to fifteen pounds. Fur is short
and marked by tabby-like spots and stripes. Tail is somewhat pointed
and fur behind the ears has a certain reddish shade.
Primarily a
nocturnal hunter, crepuscular activity is often recorded in territories
uninhabited by humans. Hunting is through the stalk and ambush method.
Small mammals including rodents and mice are generally taken, along
with reptiles, insects and birds. Males are territorial and protective
of their domain, that often includes ranges of a number of females.
Highly
adaptable, the wild cat, Felis Silvestris Lybica, is seen in a variety
of habitats including bush country and plains. The geographical range
includes large parts of Africa excluding the rainforests of Central
Africa and some of the extreme regions of the Sahara desert. It is also
recorded in certain coastal areas of the Middle East. A number of
subspecies (ten to fifteen) are recognized but owing to the
considerable similarities amongst them, the classification system is
widely disputed by scientists.
Litter size of the African Wild
Cat ranges from two to six babies, with three being the norm. Pregnancy
lasts around two months and conception is often timed so that the
kittens are born in the rainy season when food supply is plentiful.
Independence is reached at six months and sexual maturity at twice that
age.
Like other wild cats, the principal threat to this beautiful
feline is from hybridizing with feral and domestic cats. Conservation
strategies include breeding programs for maintenance of the pure gene
pool at least in captivity (with future aims at reintroduction in the
wild) and management of feral cat populations in the wild.
