Unusual animals: a forest cat

Cats are associated, first of all, with pets, it is difficult to imagine that they can survive without problems from the human habitation. However, this is a fact. For example, a forest cat perfectly feels in a wild environment, and its brethren colonize northern Asia, Europe and Africa. Most representatives of this species are listed in international and regional Red Books. For example, the Far Eastern forest cat, like a mini leopard, and steppe wild, living in the Kazakh steppes.

Appearance

These are small animals, similar to their domestic counterparts. The color of the forest cat is brownish-brown or gray, with black stripes or specks. The average weight is from three to eight kilograms, the height is about 35 cm, the length is 40-70 cm, the tail is about 30 cm, thick and as if cut off at the end. In the European part, larger representatives, such as a cane cat, which can weigh up to 18 kg. African wild cats are usually smaller and lighter.

Habitat

A forest cat usually settles in places where there are many hares, small mammals and birds that nest on the ground. Most often these are deaf areas of mixed and broad-leaved forests, thickets of reeds and reeds along the rivers. In the mountains of wild cats can be found on rocky areas at an altitude of 3000 meters above sea level.

The habits

Like all members of the family, the wild forest cat predominantly leads a nocturnal life. He can hunt in the daytime, preferring cloudy weather. The favorite time for hunting is at dawn or a few hours before sunset. A forest cat tracks prey while ambushed, then he silently sneaks up and jumps in a few jumps. Outwardly it resembles the hunting of domestic cats, but movements in wild cats are more accurate, sharp and fast.

For one night of hunting this animal can catch and eat about a dozen rodents weighing up to half a kilogram.

Sometimes a forest cat can accidentally attack a weasel, an ermine, a ferret. However, this is fraught with the fact that the Cuny, defending themselves, can strangle their unlucky pursuer.

In addition, wild cats have many natural enemies. They are hunted by foxes, wolves, jackals. True, catching forest cats, as well as domestic cats, is difficult, because they are perfectly saved in the highest branches of trees.

A forest cat prefers solitude. In a flock, these animals almost never get lost.

In the daytime they sleep in their lair, which can become a hollow on a tree or the abandoned burrow of some animal. Mountain wild cats live in crevices of rocks or between stones.

In the cold season, the forest cat tries to stay close to human habitation in order to get food for itself. They often get into the poultry houses, attacking domestic chickens and ducks, but also bring and benefit, destroying harmful rodents.

Reproduction

In natural conditions, the forest cat actively reproduces in early spring. For this, the male comes to the territory where the female lives, and begins to attract her attention with hissing, bassing meowing and howling. Several males can wage fierce battles for their lady of heart, expelling the opponent from the conquered territory.

Pregnancy of the forest cat lasts 9-10 weeks. During this time she prepares a nest for her future offspring, lining it with feathers, down and grass. Near the end of spring, up to seven blind kittens appear. Their development is similar to the development of domestic species. About a month and a half they are already leaving the mink or nest to get acquainted with the surrounding area. A cat cat watches them vigilantly and always protects them from danger. In such periods she is not afraid to attack even a fox.

At the end of summer, the kittens are already ready for independent living. They leave their family in search of their own plot of territory.