![]() Unfortunately, such forest areas are becoming increasingly rare or more and more fragmented. ![]() The preferred habitat of the European wildcat is characterized by structurally rich deciduous and mixed forests with sufficient deadwood, as well as tree and rock cavities, in which the shy animals find daytime hiding places and safe places to raise their young. It is not uncommon for wildcats to have a second litter in the fall if the spring litter was lost to predators for example. Most litters occur in April, but kittens are born as late as September. The males' territories usually encompass territories of several females and are expanded during the mating season in search of females willing to mate.Īfter a gestation period of 63 to 69 days, 2 to 4 kittens are usually born. The size of their foraging areas averages between 2 and 9 square kilometers per animal and is strongly related to the availability of prey and hiding places. Outside the mating season between January and March, wildcats live solitary lives. They eat mainly mice, but occasionally also frogs, lizards, insects or small birds. In the darkness, the sneak hunters go hunting for prey. Wildcats are active at dusk and at night. They live hidden in structurally rich broadleaf and mixed forests, where they sleep hidden in tree hollows, brushwood piles or rock crevices during the day. Wildcats are extremely shy and avoid human contact whenever possible.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |