where do wild cats live

They can be found roaming wild across Europe, Africa, Asia and North and South America. They have adapted to a range of habitats, from tropical rainforests to the extremes of deserts and mountain ranges.

What exactly is a feral cat?

The word “feral” means wild. It refers to a cat’s disposition. Feral means that a cat is un-socialized to humans. Usually (though not always), feral cats are born outside and have not had much direct contact with people. They resemble other wild animals (opossums, squirrels, etc.) in many aspects. ) that run from people when approached. Not all outdoor cats are feral. There are many friendly cats on the streets. Cats can also be partly feral and partly friendly. Although less accurate, the term “community cat” usually refers to any unowned, roaming cat, regardless of how sociable they are. Since cats themselves are unable to distinguish between friendly and feral, friendly and socialized cats do not behave any differently toward one another.

In mythology edit

It is believed that the Kellas cat, which is believed to be a free-ranging hybrid of a domestic cat and a European wildcat, served as the model for the Cat Sìth, a fairy creature depicted in Celtic fables as a big, black cat with white chest. [9] William Salmon noted in 1693 that various parts of the wildcat were used medicinally: the flesh was used to treat gout, the fat was used to dissolve tumors and relieve pain, the blood was used to treat “falling sickness,” and the excrement was used to treat baldness. [10].

Reproduction and development edit Scottish wildcat with kitten,

The wildcat reaches estrus twice a year, in December and February and again in May and July. [38] The gestation period is 60–68 days long, and estrus lasts 5–9 days. [39] Ovulation is induced through copulation. Spermatogenesis occurs throughout the year. Males engage in violent combat during mating season[38] and may gather around a single female. There are accounts of male and female wildcats going through transient phases of monogamy. Typically, kittens are born in April, May, and sometimes even in August. Litter size ranges from 1–7 kittens. [39].

Kittens have closed eyes and a furry coat when they are born. [38] They weigh 65–163 g (2. 3–5. 7 oz) at birth, and kittens under 90 g (3. 2 oz) usually do not survive. They have blue eyes at birth that turn amber after five months, and pink paw pads that turn black at three months. [39] After 9–12 days, their eyes open, and after 14–30 days, their incisors emerge. At 160–240 days of age, the kittens’ milk teeth are replaced by their permanent dentition. At 60 days, the kittens go hunting with their mother, and at 140–150 days, they begin to move around on their own. Though the kittens start eating meat at one month old, lactation lasts three to four months. 5 months of age. Sexual maturity is attained at the age of 300 days. [38] African wildcat kittens develop physically far more quickly than European wildcats during the first two weeks of their lives, much like domestic cats do. [40] Although skeletal growth continues for more than 18–19 months, the kittens are almost fully grown by 10 months. After about five months, the kittens split up to form their own territories, and the family disintegrates. [39] Although they typically live up to 13–14 years, their maximum life span is 21 years. [38].

Generation length of the wildcat is about eight years.[41]

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