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Wildcat is a name generally given to small, wild
members of the cat family. The true wildcat lives in Europe, Asia, and
Africa. It is an extremely vicious animal and generally larger and
stronger than the domestic cat. It has yellowish to grayish fur and black
streaks around the body, legs, and tail.
Two species of wildcats live in North America. They have longer bodies,
longer legs, and shorter tails than domesticated cats. They prowl mainly
at night. Their ears have tufts of fur on them, and their coats vary in
color and thickness.
One species, called the Canada lynx, has a long, gray coat. It ranges
across the Northern United States,
Alaska, and Canada. The other species, often called the bobcat, has short,
yellowish-brown fur, covered with dark spots and other markings. It ranges
from southern Canada south through Mexico. A variety of wildcat called the
Egyptian cat is believed to be the ancestor of the common house cat.
Scientific Classification. Wildcats belong to the cat family, Felidae. The
European species is Felis silvestris. Bobcats are Lynx rufus. The Canada
lynx is L. canadensis.
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