Felis lybica Facts
Felis lybica
The African wildcat (Felis lybica) is a small wildcat species with sandy grey fur, pale vertical stripes on the sides and around the face. It is native to Africa, West and Central Asia, and is distributed to Rajasthan in India and Xinjiang in China.
- Diet
- African wildcats are active mainly by night and search for prey.
Felis lybica Facts at a Glance
The African wildcat (Felis lybica) is a small wildcat species with sandy grey fur, pale vertical stripes on the sides and around the face. It is native to Africa, West and Central Asia, and is distributed to Rajasthan in India and Xinjiang in China.
It belongs to the family Felidae in the order Carnivora. This profile is designed as a concise starting point; the source names below document the review basis.
Felis lybica Conservation Status
Felis lybica is listed here as Least Concern. Protecting habitat, maintaining healthy prey or food sources, and reducing human pressure are important parts of conserving wild populations.
Quick facts
Fun facts
- In the daytime it usually hides in the bushes, although it is sometimes active on dark, cloudy days.
- They hunt primarily mice, rats, birds, reptiles, and insects.
- When confronted, the African wildcat raises its hair to make itself seem larger in order to intimidate its opponent.
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Sources and image credit
Animal facts are reviewed against the references below. The photograph remains available under the stated license.