July 4, 2023, 4:03 am | Read time: 5 minutes
When taking a walk in nature and spotting a cat with dark fur markings, it’s not always immediately clear whether it’s a domestic cat or a European wildcat. Here’s an overview of the differences.
They live as shy loners in the thickets of forests and hunt at night. That’s why we humans rarely see them–the European wildcat. About 6,000 of them still roam the low mountain regions of Germany. Since they resemble our domestic cats in size and weight, it’s easy to mistake a wildcat for a house cat if you don’t know the differences. PETBOOK explains how to recognize them.
Where the Differences Between Wildcat and House Cat Lie
The European wildcat (Felis silvestris) has little in common with our domestic cats in terms of biological ancestry, as they descend from the African wildcat, which came to us with the Romans over the Alps. The habitat of the European wildcat, also known as the forest cat, has been increasingly restricted over the years, yet their populations have recovered thanks to various conservation measures by the German Wildlife Foundation.
The wildcat was almost considered extinct and is still classified as “endangered” on the federal Red List. In some states, it is even “critically endangered.” Wildlife crossings have also contributed to the recovery of their populations, as wildcats have large territories and cross highways and main roads during their long migrations. Many of these rare animals died in collisions, and road traffic was considered the number one death trap. Since about 2 million stray domestic cats also live in Germany, the likelihood of encountering one is much higher, but you have to look closely to distinguish them from the rare wildcat.
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Where and When Can You Encounter Wildcats?
Primarily, wildcats are found in the country’s forests, especially in the low mountain ranges and some extensive forest areas. They prefer dense deciduous and mixed forests, where they find ample hiding and hunting opportunities. Some of the best-known regions where wildcats live in Germany are the Black Forest, the Eifel, the Harz, the Bavarian Forest, and the Thuringian Forest. These areas, with their hedges and bodies of water, provide a suitable environment for the survival and reproduction of wildcats.
They find plenty of food here, such as mice, birds, and other small mammals. A male wildcat roams about 1,500 to 3,000 hectares, while a female’s territory is only 300–800 hectares. Nature reserves and national parks play an important role in preserving the habitat for wildcats. By establishing protected areas, it is ensured that the forests and their prey stocks are preserved and the wildcats are protected. Monitoring of populations often occurs with the help of camera traps, transmitters, and genetic studies to record the presence and distribution of wildcats.
Wildcats are nocturnal and sleep well hidden during the day in piles of brushwood, hollow tree trunks, root cavities, between rocks, or in the burrows of badgers and foxes. Sometimes they even climb onto hunters’ high seats or take a nap in a tree crown if it’s easy to climb. It becomes dangerous when they choose a pile of logs for daytime rest or as a hiding place for their young. When the logs are loaded, they can easily become a death trap for the little ones. Unfortunately, the reproduction rate of wildcats is very low, and hardly any young reach adulthood.
What External Features Distinguish Wildcats from House Cats?
European Wildcat (Felis silvestris)
They grow up to 50 cm tall and 80 cm long. Some male specimens weigh up to 8 kilograms. The females are smaller and lighter and resemble our domestic cats more. Their fur is gray tabby with a yellowish tone in parts. They have a light throat patch. The pattern appears faded in older animals, while it is very clear and contrasting in young animals.
The bushy tail with its 2–3 dark rings and a black tip, which looks blunt, is striking. The dorsal stripe in the middle of the back also stands out. Dark stripes run from the forehead over the ears to the neck. In winter, the wildcat appears more stocky and robust due to its dense fur than in summer. The face of the wildcat is broader at the muzzle than that of the house cat, the light nose has significantly thicker whiskers, and these are always white. Wildcats also have thicker paws than house cats.
House Cat (Felis silvestris catus)
They grow up to 50 cm tall. Some males, however, grow larger and also weigh up to 8 kg. Exceptions prove the rule, such as when it’s a mix with a large breed like the Maine Coon or the Norwegian Forest Cat. Generally, house cats have many different coat colors, but some resemble the wildcat very much. The coat of the house cat that comes closest to the wildcat is the wild type. The pattern on the forehead looks like an M, and from the eyes, a kind of eyeliner runs to the side of the head. On the body side, there are often dark cross stripes or spots, and the legs and tail are banded in black. The face is narrow, the ears appear smaller because they are not as hairy as those of the wildcat. The whiskers are fine.
Differences in Young House Cats and Wildcats Hardly Noticeable
Adult wildcats are easily recognized by their faded coat pattern. With young animals, it becomes more difficult. They still have a very contrasting coat pattern and look confusingly similar to young house cats with wild-colored fur. If discovered by walkers while the mother is hunting, it can be their undoing. People may mean well and want to rescue the “abandoned” young animals. But even if they are bottle-fed in a wildlife station, they will have to be released back into the wild later, as the requirements for keeping them are very high.
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Sources
- Bund-Natuschutz.de, „The European Wildcat: Profile” (accessed July 4, 2023)
- Deutsche Wildtier Stiftung.de, “Wildcat” (accessed July 4, 2023)