Points

40

per confirmed sighting

MammalConservation status: Least ConcernVery Rare to spot
mammals • Felidae

African Wildcat.

A

Felis lybica

Category

mammals

Family

Felidae

Size

A robust species-level adult size range was not resolved in the checked current source set; do not substitute domestic-cat or genus-level mass values as a verified species value.

Points

40 pts

Log a sighting

A closer look

Field notes for spotting, identifying and understanding african wildcat in its natural range.

Overview

How to identify it

Habitat

Uses a broad range of open and semi-open habitats, including desert, savanna, shrubland and grassland.

Diet

Southern Kalahari studies found a diet dominated by small rodents, with birds, reptiles and invertebrates also taken.

Behaviour

When to look

Mainly nocturnal in southern African field studies, with activity varying with local conditions.

Where to see it

South Africa flagSouth AfricaNamibia flagNamibiaBotswana flagBotswanaZimbabwe flagZimbabweZambia flagZambiaMozambique flagMozambiqueEswatini flagEswatiniLesotho flagLesothoMalawi flagMalawiAngola flagAngola

Safety and etiquette

Observe from a safe distance and never handle or feed wildlife.

Verification and sources

1500 verified species across ten Southern African countries. Spotted an error? Tell us through community guidelines.