What is a wildcat? The wildcat, Felis sylvestris, has a broad geographical distribution covering much of Europe, Africa, and Asia. However, the three continents gave rise to different subspecies. The European subspecies is the largest and most heavily built, with a thicker more heavily marked coat, as well as a much thicker, blunt tail. Wildcats colonised Britain after the end of the Ice Age, over 9000 years ago, when there was still a land bridge to the Continent. Once found all over Britain, habitat destruction, hunting for their fur and persecution saw their distribution contract. Wildcats were extinct in southern England by 1800, northern England until 1853, and Wales until 1862. By the late 19th century wildcats in Britain were found only in remote parts of the Scottish Highlands but only in very low numbers.
Posted on: Sat, 31 Aug 2013 08:14:05 +0000
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