Nature trails with Adventurekim.com: The beautiful African Wild Cat captured with my Nikon Coolpix L820

The African Wild Cat:

I had the opportunity come up close and take a few photos with my Nikon CoolpicL820 and discovered what an amazing and awesome creature our very own African Wild Cat is and yes it looks just like a domestic cat with some subtle differences. It has larger legs, more reddish ears and it sits far more upright than our domestic cat. This big guy was difficult to capture on film as he was very camera shy so just these few required patience and perseverance over a 2 hour period!

The similarities are no coincidence I might add, as our domestic cats originated from these very wild cats. They were first domesticated some 5 000 years ago in Egypt. The people of that time were agriculturalists and would store their grain which they harvested annually in baskets. Of course these large stores of grain would attract many mice which would naturally attract the African Wild Cat. This was a mutually beneficial arrangement, one could say, and it was no wonder that these cats were encouraged by the people to stay around. The locals would actually leave our small tasty morsels of fish to encourage this.

Because of a constant and abundant supply of food, no harassment from people and no natural enemies to threaten the wild cat within this human habitat the African Wild Cats become quickly habituated. Over time a gradual genetic mutation took place in the some 100 odd domestic breeds we find today.

Many true forms of African wild cat are been lost through hybridisation with domestic cats in many areas. The African Wild Cat is a solitary animal which has well developed senses used to hunt and chase rate, mice, small birds, lizards and insect.

Both male and females spray urine to mark their territories and scat is buried as with domestic cats. Kittens are born in the summer when their is a good supply of rodents to consume.

Size: Male: 90cm, Female: 85 cm
Wight: Male 5 kg Female 4 kg
Lifespan 15 years
Habitat & Distribution: Wide tolerance - widespread throughout the Subregion excpet in the desert.
Gestation: 65 kg
Number of young: 2-5
Prey: Rodents, birds, lizards and insects
Predators: larger carnivores, birds of prey and pythons

I found it really interesting to discover that in the more drier western parts of the Subregion their colours are a lighter sandy colour with a indistinct pattern of transverse reddish brown bands on their back and limbs with a black-tipped tail. In the more eastern parts it is much grayer and the bands are darker and more distinct. The underparts may be whitish or tinged reddish, with indistinct dark or reddish spots. It crosses freely with domestic cats, the progency being shorter in the legs and losing totally, or to varying extents the reddish colour on the back of the ears.

Sadly it appears this African Wild cat will soon be lost to us interbred with our domistic cat and will only live in story books and ancient writings of Egypt.

Adventure with a purpose!™

The Team Zodwa Project ™
Member: FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa)

Photo Credits: Kim Williams Copyright
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