Wildcat
(Felis Sylvestris)



In the last few years it has become a real legend.
It is extremely timid and is active during the night and at twilight and can therefore be present in an area without even being noticed. Furthermore it is now a rare species and until recently it was thought that its geograhical distribution in Italy did not go beyond Ancona and was more widespread in the central southern areas of the peninsula. Other separate species have been noted in Liguria and Piedmont. It is also present in the Balkans, central Europe and with other species as far as China.
In recent years, sightings, photographs, footage and the discovery of carcasses, have contributed to the conclusion that the Felis sylvestris is present and commonly distributed even in the Apennine forests of the provinces of Pesaro Urbino and Forlì.

The European wildcat, which is widespread in our continent and in Turkey, is a real wild animal and is not to be confused (as it tends to be) with the tabby cat and other kinds of domestic cat.

Our domestic cats may not have originated from the European wildcat – it is believed indeed that they are related to a Libyan subspecies which was domesticated thousands of years ago in Africa.

Its size but especially certain diagnostic features connected to morphology and the colouring of its fur as well as the presence of strips and black spots in certain parts of the body help to identify the wildcat. But naturally the final confirmation of its identity is through the genetic examination of species found or organic elements such as fur, feces etc.

The wildcat is a solitary animal and each one holds a vast territory which can exceed 100 hectares (10 km square metres). It does not form stable pairings. Mating takes place in the spring and the female gives birth to 2 or 4 kittens after a 9-10 week gestation.
The mother stays with the kittens until they reach independence at around 3-4 months of age.

The wildcat lives in the thick of the forest, in the most intact parts of a forest and where there is the least disturbance from human activity. It feeds on rodents such as mice and water voles as well as reptiles, birds and when food is scant, even insects.