Critter Science
  • Zoology
    • Ecology
      • Animal Conservation
        • CITES: Protecting Wildlife
        • Endangered Animals
        • Ex Situ Explained
        • In Situ Explained
      • Ecosystems
        • The Biomes
      • Evolution. The Facts.
        • Animal Devolution
        • Arachnids – What are They?
        • Evolution of Amphibians
        • Evolution of Birds
        • Fish and Sharks
        • Natural Selection
        • Primate Language: The Debate
        • What is a Marsupial?
      • Predator vs Prey
      • Producers and Consumers
    • Sustainability
      • Climate Change
      • Global Warming
      • Pollution
        • Air Pollution
        • Land Pollution
        • Microplastics Pollution
        • Water Pollution
      • Recycling
      • Renewable Energy
    • Animal Behavioral Patterns
      • Types of Animal Dormancy
    • What are Species?
      • Amphibians vs Reptiles
      • Animal Reproduction
      • Claws, Nails, and Talons
      • Frogs vs Toads
      • Fur and Hair
      • Gecko Feet
      • Invasive Species
      • IUCN Statuses
      • The Enigmatic Purr
      • Venom vs Poison
      • What is a Marsupial?
    • About the Critterman
  • Daily Critter Facts
    • Amphibian Facts
      • Frog Facts
      • Newt Facts
      • Salamander Facts
      • Toad Facts
    • Arthropod Facts
      • Arachnid Facts
      • Insect Facts
    • Bird Facts
      • Flightless Bird Facts
      • Predatory Bird Facts
      • Scavenger Bird Facts
    • Cryptozoology
    • Fish Facts
      • Cephalopod Facts
      • Crustacean Facts
      • Jellyfish Facts
      • Reefs
      • Shark and Ray Facts
      • Shellfish Facts
    • Flying Mammal Facts
    • Gastropod Facts
    • Land Mammal Facts
      • Canine Facts
      • Feline Facts
      • Lagomorph Facts
      • Marsupial Facts
      • Primate Facts
      • Rodent Facts
      • Ungulate Facts
    • Parasite Facts
    • Reptile Facts
      • Crocodilian Facts
      • Lizard Facts
      • Snake Facts
      • Turtle Facts
    • Sea Mammal Facts
      • Dolphin Facts
      • Porpoise Facts
      • Sea Lion Facts
      • Seal Facts
      • Whale Facts
    • Worm Facts
  • For Teachers
    • Animal Quizzes
      • Amphibians Quiz
      • Bird Quiz
      • Cat Quiz
      • Dolphin Quiz
      • Insect Quiz
      • Reptile Quiz
    • Butterfly Life Cycle
      • Butterfly Metamorphosis
      • World’s Largest Butterfly
      • World’s Largest Moth
    • Metamorphosis – A Frog’s Life Cycle
    • The Cellular Structure of an Animal
    • Insect vs Bug
    • Animal Word Search
    • Coloring Pages
  • Study Guides
    • African Animals
    • Antarctica Animals
    • Asian Animals
    • Australian Animals
    • Central American Animals
    • European Animals
    • North American Animals
    • South American Animals
  • Diseases & Parasites
    • Bsal
    • Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)
    • Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
    • The Deadly Chytrid Fungus
    • All About Parasites
    • The Rabies Virus
    • White-Nose Syndrome
  • Contact
    • General Contact
    • Guest Article Submission
      • Guest Articles
        • Guest Articles – 2024
    • What Critter is This?
    • Animal Welfare Organizations
    • Privacy Policy
Subscribe
European wildcat

The European Wildcat

  • 6 July, 2023
  • Critterman
  • No Comments
  • 288 Views
  • 2 Likes
Daily Critter Facts, Feline Facts, Land Mammal Facts

The European wildcat can be found throughout western and eastern Europe. They can be spotted in woodlands, grasslands, scrublands, broad-leaved forests, mixed forests, and along riparian habitats. Due to habitat destruction at the hands of agriculture and aquaculture; hunting; trapping; and invasive species (and with them disease), these felines are listed as Endangered by the IUCN. Their populations are also decreasing.

First the Stats…

Scientific name: Felis silvestris silvestris
Weight: Up to 18 lbs.
Length: Up to 36 inches
Height: Up to 30 inches, at the shoulders
Lifespan: Up to 15 years

Now on to the Facts!

1.) These cats evolved during the Cromerian Stage an estimated 866,000 – 478,000 years ago.

2.) Their direct ancestor was the now extinct Martelli’s cat (Felis lunensis).

3.) While mainly nocturnal (active at night) in populated regions, these cats also sometimes exhibit diurnal (active during the day) activity in undisturbed regions.

4.) They tend to be ambush predators that lay in wait for passing prey opportunities.

5.) European wildcats prey on hamsters, rats, mice, voles, wood mice, European polecats, martens, stoats, and Least weasels. They have also been known to hunt the fawns of roe deer, red deer, and chamois.

But wait, there’s more on the European wildcat!

6.) Prey is killed via piercing the neck or occiput with its fangs.

7.) These cats are solitary, like most cats. They only come together to mate.

Did you know…?
These felines can leap up to 9.84 feet.

8.) Scent marking and scratching is used to denote territory and intent to mate.

9.) European wildcats utilize abandoned burrows as hides. When threatened, they will retreat to said burrow for safety.

10.) These wildcats are, like other cats, polygynous (1 male mates with multiple females).

But wait, there’s still more on the European wildcat!

11.) Females undergo up to a 68 day gestation (pregnancy) that yields up to 7 kittens.

12.) Kittens begin hunting with mom at around 60 days.

13.) The kittens leave mom at around 5 months of age to establish their own territories.

14.) Red foxes, hawks, owls, and other birds of prey hunt wildcat kittens.

Now a Short European Wildcat Video!

Be sure to share & comment below! Also, check out the Critter Science YouTube channel. Videos added regularly!

Want to suggest a critter for me to write about? Let me know here.

catdiurnaleastern EuropeEuropeEuropeanEuropean wildcatnocturnalpredatorpreywestern Europewildcat
Critterman

With over 50 years of critter experience to my credit and hundreds of zoology teaching hours to people around the world, I have amassed not only a continuing thirst for critter knowledge but a desire to teach others all I can about the majesty and wonder of our natural world. Critter Science is a culmination of such knowledge. I have hands on as well as book acquired intel on all kinds of critters. Whether they're on land, sea, or in the air. I will never say that I know everything about all animals. That's impossible, even for a savant. But, that being said, ask me any animal question and I'll answer it. If I don't know the answer, I'll get an answer for you!

The Dumeril’s Boa
The Sahafary Sportive Lemur
Related Posts
  • Nepal house martin
    The Nepal House Martin 4 July, 2025
  • booted eagle
    The Booted Eagle 3 July, 2025
  • Wyoming toad
    The Wyoming Toad 2 July, 2025
  • Daily Critter Facts
  • Guest Articles
  • BYET
  • Teachers
  • Study Guides
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025, Critter Science. All Rights Reserved.