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Scottish Wildcat

Felis silvestris

Not yet photographed by the community

UK's only wild cat; critically endangered hybrid threat.

Species Profile

UK Red List (Endangered); Critically Endangered in Scotland due to small population and hybridization with feral domestic cats.

Lifespan: 4–5 years in the wild; up to 8 years in captivity
Size & Weight: Head and body 42–50 cm; tail 21–31 cm; 1.6–3.2 kg
Habitat: Remote, dense woodlands and moorland with rocky outcrops and heather, typically in upland areas with minimal human disturbance.
UK Distribution: Found almost exclusively in the Scottish Highlands, particularly in Strathspey, Breckland, and parts of the west Highlands; resident year-round.
Diet: Obligate carnivore; hunts small mammals and birds, predominantly at dawn and dusk.
Prey: Rabbits, hares, voles, mice, shrews, moorhen, and grouse.
Predators: Golden eagles, red foxes; human persecution and vehicle strikes are major threats.
Mating Season: January to March
Breeding: Litter size 4–8 kittens; gestation 65–68 days; kittens weaned at 8–10 weeks; single brood per year.
Behaviour: Highly territorial, solitary nocturnal hunter with a distinctive thick, ringed tail and robust build. Extremely shy and elusive, with little tolerance for human proximity or habitat disturbance. Males defend territories of 50–100 hectares.

Did You Know?

•Scottish wildcats are among the rarest carnivores in the British Isles, with fewer than 400 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.
•Hybridization with feral and domestic cats is the greatest threat to the species' survival, diluting the wildcat gene pool.
•They have larger paws and a more robust skull than domestic cats, reflecting their adaptation to harsh upland environments.
•A distinctive characteristic is their thick, blunt-tipped tail with dark rings, which differs from the pointed tails of most domestic cats.
•Intensive conservation breeding programmes, including the Scottish Wildcat Action partnership, are working to restore populations and reduce feral cat numbers in key areas.

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