Asiatic wildcat

Asian wildcat ( Felis silvestris ornata )

The Asian wildcat ( Felis silvestris ornata ) is a subspecies of the wild cat, which is present in Central Asia to the West of India. Since it is one of the most widespread cat, she is guided in the IUCN Red List since 2002 as not at risk.

It is also called steppe cat.

Features

The Wildcats of Central Asia differ from the European wild cat by a more grayish - yellow or reddish fur with small black or reddish-brown spots. The spots are sometimes connected to strips, especially in steppe cats who live east of the Tian Shan. Wildcats in Pakistan and India have pale sand-colored fur with small patches, which are arranged laterally and linearly on the legs. At both ear tips they have a small brush of fine hair. Their coat is short, but varies depending on individual age and season. The tip of the tail and the bottoms of the feet are black. They weigh about 3-4 kg.

From the similar African wildcat they differ by more than dotted striped fur pattern.

Dissemination

It is spread from the Middle East to western India and Central Asia, where it penetrates to northwest China and Mongolia. The distribution boundary between the European wildcat and Asiatic Wild Cat is the Caucasus.

Conservation

The Asian wildcat is listed in Appendix II of the CITES Convention.