African Wildcat (Felis lybica)

Overview
The African wildcat is a small, solitary feline native to Africa and parts of Asia. Recognized as the ancestor of the domestic cat, it has a slender build, long legs, and a distinctive coat with pale stripes and a bushy, ringed tail.

Habitat & Distribution
African wildcats inhabit a wide range of environments, including deserts, savannas, shrublands, and open forests. They are absent only from tropical rainforests.

Diet & Hunting
Primarily nocturnal hunters, they feed on rodents, birds, reptiles, and insects. Their diet varies based on prey availability, and they can consume up to 250,000 termites in a single night.

Behaviour & Reproduction
African wildcats are solitary and territorial, marking their ranges with scent. Breeding can occur year-round, with females giving birth to litters of one to five kittens after a gestation period of about 56 to 65 days.

Conservation Status
Classified as “Least Concern” by the IUCN, African wildcat populations are stable. However, they face threats from habitat loss and hybridization with domestic cats, which can dilute their genetic lineage.