Scottish wildcat
Scientific name
Felis sylvestris
Size and weight
65 cm head to tail
2.4 to 7.3 kg
Diet
Small mammals and birds
Conservation status
Critically endangered
Native habitat
Forest and woodland in the Scottish highlands
Lifespan
Up to 15 years
Meet our Scottish wildcats
We have two Scottish wildcats, Fergus and Angus. They are part of the official captive population that supplies the Saving Wildcats release programme in Scotland. They have the potential to join the formal breeding programme in the future and by living with us in the meantime, space is freed up in other facilities for breeding. Our wildcats are also ambassadors for the species, helping us raise awareness of the species’ plight.
About Scottish wildcats
The Scottish wildcat is a rare type of European wildcat that now only lives in northern and eastern Scotland. They used to roam all over Great Britain but are now critically endangered.
Their main prey is rabbits and field voles but they also hunt for wood mice, bank voles and birds. If they don’t finish their meal, they’ll bury the leftovers to save for later.
Sadly, Scottish wildcats face a lot of threats including losing their homes, being hunted to protect game birds and breeding with feral domestic cats. These days it’s very likely that every Scottish wildcat has at least a bit of domestic cat in their family tree.
Did you know?
- they are the most endangered cat in the world, with as few as 50 estimated to roam in the highlands of Scotland
- their cousin, the African wildcat, is the ancestor of domestic cats
- wildcats look a lot like tabby cats but are bigger, with longer legs, a heavier set head and bushier tails with thick stripes and a blunt tip
- they are famously fierce and have resisted every effort to tame them
