Elliot Smith
About
One of our rarest and most endangered mammals, and the only wild member of the cat family in the UK. Wildcats are restricted to small parts of the Scottish Highlands, where they feed on Rabbits and ground-nesting birds. A very shy animal, almost entirely nocturnal and found on moorland and in woodlands. You have to be extremely lucky to catch a glimpse of a wildcat in the wild.
How to identify
The Wildcat looks very similar to a very large tabby cat, but it is stockier with a fluffier, blunt tail. Distinct banding on the tail and markings on the body enable spotters to tell true Wildcats apart from domestic hybrids.
Where to find it
Only found in the remotest and wildest parts of Scotland.
Habitats
When to find it
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
How can people help
Wildcats are our most endangered mammal; experts believe there could be as few as 400 left in the wild. Centuries of habitat loss, hunting and persecution have all caused their decline, which continues today due to road deaths and interbreeding with domestic cats. If you