Scottish wildcat
General information
The Scottish wildcat is a sub-species of the wildcat found throughout Europe. Although the wildcat, in general, is not threatened, the Scottish wildcat is in danger of extinction and there are under 100 individuals left.
It is protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. For its weight and size this cat is one of the world’s most efficient predators. Fearless, brave, intelligent, resourceful and patient make a remarkable animal who has survived human persecution for 500 years. They are solitary, nocturnal and mostly active at dawn and dusk hunting for small to medium-sized mammals.
Latin name - Felis silvestris grampia
Class - Mammalia
Order - Carnivora
Family - Felidae
IUCN Status - Endangered in Scotland Habitat Forests, meadows, heath moors, highlands.
Distribution - Scottish Highlands
Average lifespan
Up to 15 years in captivity.
Threats
Habitat loss, hybridisation, road accidents and being hunted as vermin.
Fun Fact
No-one has ever been able to tame a Scottish wildcat, not even when hand-reared from a kitten. They are a truly WILD cat. This species is nicknamed ‘The British Tiger’ and has a distinctive method of eating rabbit by turning the skin inside out as they eat the meat, leaving the skin still attached to the leg bones and feet.
Our residents
We currently have two four year old male wildcats named Beinne and Halum. The boys joined us in late December 2023 and moved into their brand new custom built enclosure in early 2024!
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