Cats are associated primarily with pets, it's hard to imagine that they can survive without problems far away from human habitation.However, it is a fact.For example, forest cat feels fine in the wild, and his colleagues occupy northern Asia, Europe and Africa.Most representatives of this kind are included in the international and regional Red Books.For example, the Far Eastern forest cat, like a mini-leopard, and steppe wild, living in the steppes of Kazakhstan.
Appearance
This medium-sized animals, like their domestic counterparts.Color at the forest cat brown or gray-brown with black stripes or spots.Average weight - from three to eight kilograms, the height - of the order of 35 cm, length - 40-70 cm, tail - about 30 cm thick and, as it were chopped off at the end.In the European part of the larger representatives, such as jungle cat that can weigh up to 18 kg.African wild cats are usually smaller and lighter.
Habitats
Forest cat often settles in places where the usual lot of birds, small mammals and birds, curly nest on the ground.Most often it is deaf plots mixed and deciduous forests, reeds and rushes along the rivers.In the mountains, wild cats can be found on rocky areas at altitudes up to 3,000 meters above sea level.
Habits
Like all members of the family, wild forest cat mostly nocturnal.He can hunt during the day, preferring to cloudy weather.A favorite time to hunt - at sunrise or a few hours before sunset.Forest cat stalking prey, while in ambush, and then he quietly sneaks in a few jumps catch their prey.Outwardly, it resembles a hunting domestic cats, but the movements of wild cats more accurate, sharp and quick.
Overnight hunting this animal can catch and eat a dozen rodents weighing up to a pound.
Sometimes forest cat may accidentally attack the weasel, stoat, ferret.However, this is fraught with the fact that martens defensively, may themselves strangle his hapless pursuer.
addition, feral cats have many natural enemies.They are hunted foxes, wolves, jackals.However, to catch the forest cats, as well as home, it is difficult because they are well saved in the highest branches of trees.
Forest cat prefers solitude.In a flock of these animals almost never go astray.
During the day they sleep in his den, which can become a hollow in a tree or an abandoned burrow of any animal.Mountain wild cats live in rock crevices or between stones.
In the cold season forest cat is trying to stay close to human habitation, to fend for themselves.They often climb in the house, attacking chickens and ducks, but also offer benefits, destroying harmful rodents.
Reproduction
Under natural conditions, forest cat is actively propagated in early spring.To do this, the male comes to the territory, home to the female, and is beginning to attract the attention of her hiss and meow basovitym howling.Several males can lead fierce battles for the lady of the heart, forcing the opponent to the conquered territory.
forest cat Pregnancy lasts 9-10 weeks.During this time, she is preparing a nest for his future offspring, paving the his feathers, fluff and grass.Towards the end of spring are born blind to seven kittens.Their development is similar to the development of the domestic species.About a month and a half they've come out of the burrows or nests to get acquainted with the surrounding area.Mother cat vigilantly watching them and always protects from danger.At such times, she is not afraid to attack even a fox.
In late summer, the kittens are ready for independent living.They leave their families in search of their own land territory.
