African Wildcat

Discussions and information on all Southern African Mammals
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Richprins
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Re: African Wildcat

Post by Richprins »

^Q^ ^Q^ ^Q^

Our mascot! :-0


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Lisbeth
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Re: African Wildcat

Post by Lisbeth »

Good idea \O ^Q^ ^Q^


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Flutterby
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Re: African Wildcat

Post by Flutterby »

Cutie! \O


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Richprins
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Re: African Wildcat

Post by Richprins »

Image


Kruger Sightings
‏Verified account @LatestKruger
Sep 8

06:07
4 African wild cats, mom with 3 kittens on the move
H1-4, just outside A circle
Near Satara
Vis 5/5
Tinged by Walli & Rainer


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Flutterby
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Re: African Wildcat

Post by Flutterby »

:-0 :-0


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Lisbeth
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Re: African Wildcat

Post by Lisbeth »

How cute O\/


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Richprins
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Re: African Wildcat

Post by Richprins »

Richprins wrote: Wed Dec 26, 2018 9:55 am Image


Kruger Sightings
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08:15
Wild cat with one kitten
H14, 1km N of the S131
Near Phalaborwa
Vis 5/5
Tinged by Rowbottom Family


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Lisbeth
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Re: African Wildcat

Post by Lisbeth »

^Q^ ^Q^ ^Q^


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Richprins
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Re: African Wildcat

Post by Richprins »

A rare location by aat in 2015 - Shongololo loop near Mopane:


Image


Image


Image


viewtopic.php?f=46&t=6401&start=30


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Re: African Wildcat

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African wildcat kitten in my garden

Posted on 13 June, 2019 by Simon Espley in Animal Encounters, Kruger, South Africa, Wildlife

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The African wildcat kitten safely tucked away under a pile of logs © Simon Espley

It was the fierce hissing and spitting that alerted me to the tiny kitten hidden under a pile of dead branches on our plot in Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate, bordering the Greater Kruger National Park. At first I thought that the noise was a Mozambique spitting cobra, because we have encountered a few of those in our garden.

I ushered our curious Jack Russell terrier from the scene, and approached again with caution. Again, the fierce hissing and spitting, accompanied by a tiny but resounding ‘thump’. Then I saw the fierce eyes staring at me from underneath the dead branches. The tiny fluffball with a mean right jab (the ‘thump’ that I heard) was a few inches from my foot, safe under a pile of dead branches.

This explained why the ADULT African wildcat a short distance away from me did not hurry off when I approached, after I was alerted to its presence by alarm-calling birds. I had seen this individual wildcat before near our home, and usually it would vaporise into the surrounding bushveld soon after seeing me. Her having a kitten would also explain the slightly ‘fuller’ look this time – she is lactating.

Image
The cautious African wildcat watches me as I inadvertently approach her hidden kitten © Simon Espley

Not wanting to disturb whatever was going on, I snapped a quick vid and a few pics on my mobile phone and retreated to our veranda about 50m away, to observe from afar. Soon after, I watched mom and kitten‘ leopard-crawl’ away and disappear into a dense copse.

IMPORTANT note about African wildcats and inbreeding with domestic cats:

Having seen many African wildcats in several locations throughout Africa, I was interested in the observed subtle variations in coat shade and striping. Turns out that coat shades vary geographically, BUT also: many African wildcats are inbred with our domestic variety, at least to some extent. I would imagine that those found in this area probably have genetic maladies, bearing in mind the local domesticated cat populations. And so I make no claim as to the genetic purity of this cat and her kitten.

More information about African wildcats here: A Closer Look at the African Wildcat.

Image
The kitten spits its warning, after I stumbled upon it while watching the mother. © Simon Espley

phpBB [video]


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