The Living Forest (334) : European Wildcat

The Living Forest (334) : European Wildcat

The European wildcat has a long, thick coat and wide set ears. It's the ancestor of the well known domestic cat.

This animal lives mostly in undisturbed forests and avoids intensively cultivated areas and settlements.

It’s a strong predator and its prey (rodents and birds) is caught with razor sharp claws and killed with a lethal bite to the neck or by suffocation.
Everything is consumed, including fur, feathers and bones.

Dutch name : Europese Wilde Kat
German name : Europäische Wildkatze (auch Waldkatze genannt)
Latin name : Felis silvestris silvestris

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Shot was made with a 850mm lens (500mm + 1,7x extender)
Location : Wolfsbush at Montenau, Belgium
(many thanks to the local forester who took me to the spot where this wild animal often resides)

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A big thanks to Mirjam Burer for the nomination of this picture !