By Omer Ashraf
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.
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on African Wild Cat
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Asian Wild Cat
By Omer Ashraf
The Asian Wild Cat is the most endangered among wild cat species. Related more closely to the African than its European counterpart, the wild cat's coloration varies across its distribution from light yellow to reddish and gray. Size is similar to the African cat, with length ranging from forty five to seventy centimeters and weight between six to sixteen pounds. Spots, joining to form stripes, are distinctly noticeable. Upper chest and chin are often white and tail is ringed, with a black tip.
Mainly seen in arid areas, the Asiatic Wild Cat is quite capable of surviving in dry habitats, often going without water for long periods. It seldom is seen at high altitudes and usually lives in dry parts of Asia. Small mammals including rodents, hare and gerbil form the bulk of its diet, supplemented at times by birds.
The geographical range of the cat, Felis Silvestris Ornata, extends from Caspian Sea to Mongolia, India, Pakistan and Iran. Steppes and scrub desert areas are often the dwelling places of the felid. Little is known about the behavior and reproductive profile of the Asian Wild Cat, though it is established that the litter size is on average three to four and life span in the wild is up to fifteen years. The three recognized subspecies include:
Felis Silvestris Caudata (Caspian Sea)
Felis Sivestris Ornata (Pakistan, Iran and India)
Felis Silvestris Shawiana (Mongolia, parts of China)
Habitat loss and excessive hunting in the past for its characteristic spotted pelt has led to decline in this cat's numbers in the wild. As with other wild cats, the risk of loss of genetic purity also looms large through interbreeding with feral and domestic felines.
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Asian Wild Cat
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
The Asian Wild Cat is the most endangered among wild cat species. Related more closely to the African than its European counterpart, the wild cat's coloration varies across its distribution from light yellow to reddish and gray. Size is similar to the African cat, with length ranging from forty five to seventy centimeters and weight between six to sixteen pounds. Spots, joining to form stripes, are distinctly noticeable. Upper chest and chin are often white and tail is ringed, with a black tip.
Mainly seen in arid areas, the Asiatic Wild Cat is quite capable of surviving in dry habitats, often going without water for long periods. It seldom is seen at high altitudes and usually lives in dry parts of Asia. Small mammals including rodents, hare and gerbil form the bulk of its diet, supplemented at times by birds.
The geographical range of the cat, Felis Silvestris Ornata, extends from Caspian Sea to Mongolia, India, Pakistan and Iran. Steppes and scrub desert areas are often the dwelling places of the felid. Little is known about the behavior and reproductive profile of the Asian Wild Cat, though it is established that the litter size is on average three to four and life span in the wild is up to fifteen years. The three recognized subspecies include:
Felis Silvestris Caudata (Caspian Sea)
Felis Sivestris Ornata (Pakistan, Iran and India)
Felis Silvestris Shawiana (Mongolia, parts of China)
Habitat loss and excessive hunting in the past for its characteristic spotted pelt has led to decline in this cat's numbers in the wild. As with other wild cats, the risk of loss of genetic purity also looms large through interbreeding with feral and domestic felines.
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Asian Wild Cat
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
European Wild Cat
By Omer Ashraf
Believed to be the oldest amongst wild cats, the European Wild Cat (Felis Silvestris Silvestris) was once found through major parts of Europe. Larger than its African cousin, the European cat also has a more dense fur. Color ranges from gray to brown, with stripes often running across the body, though not as prominent in some other cat species. The coat is often marked by light colored patches on trunk. Skull is broad and tail short and bushy, with a black tip. Body length ranges from half a meter to one meter. Weight may be between two to twenty pounds.
The European Wild Cat prefers densely wooded areas though it is adaptable enough to survive in swamp territories unlike most other felines. Crepuscular, it often displays activity during day time as well. Though hunting is largely done on the ground, the cat may adapt an arboreal style in pursuit of prey. Diet consists largely of small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. Fish are seldom taken.
Originally divided into seven subspecies on the basis of geographical distribution, only three types are believed to remain today:
Felis Silvestris Grampia (Northern Scotland)
Felis Silvestris Caucasia (Turkey and Caucasus)
Felis Silvestris Silvestris (Central Europe)
Mating season is around February and March every year and an average of three kittens are born after a gestational period of just over two months. They gain independence at five months and sexual maturity at twice that age.
Largely persecuted in the past for fear of their attacks on poultry, the European Wild Cats are protected today owing to their beneficial influence in removing rodents that harm trees. The most serious threat today is breeding with feral and domestic cats that has led to large scale dilution of the gene pool. Pure bred variants of the original specie are hard to find today. Other serious threat is from disease that spreads from feral cats since the wild cats have little immunity after thousands of years of isolated existence.
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on European Wild Cat
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Believed to be the oldest amongst wild cats, the European Wild Cat (Felis Silvestris Silvestris) was once found through major parts of Europe. Larger than its African cousin, the European cat also has a more dense fur. Color ranges from gray to brown, with stripes often running across the body, though not as prominent in some other cat species. The coat is often marked by light colored patches on trunk. Skull is broad and tail short and bushy, with a black tip. Body length ranges from half a meter to one meter. Weight may be between two to twenty pounds.
The European Wild Cat prefers densely wooded areas though it is adaptable enough to survive in swamp territories unlike most other felines. Crepuscular, it often displays activity during day time as well. Though hunting is largely done on the ground, the cat may adapt an arboreal style in pursuit of prey. Diet consists largely of small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. Fish are seldom taken.
Originally divided into seven subspecies on the basis of geographical distribution, only three types are believed to remain today:
Felis Silvestris Grampia (Northern Scotland)
Felis Silvestris Caucasia (Turkey and Caucasus)
Felis Silvestris Silvestris (Central Europe)
Mating season is around February and March every year and an average of three kittens are born after a gestational period of just over two months. They gain independence at five months and sexual maturity at twice that age.
Largely persecuted in the past for fear of their attacks on poultry, the European Wild Cats are protected today owing to their beneficial influence in removing rodents that harm trees. The most serious threat today is breeding with feral and domestic cats that has led to large scale dilution of the gene pool. Pure bred variants of the original specie are hard to find today. Other serious threat is from disease that spreads from feral cats since the wild cats have little immunity after thousands of years of isolated existence.
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on European Wild Cat
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com