Want to know where and when to find African Wildcat? opspoor shows recent sightings across South Africa's parks and when each species is usually active.
Where to see African Wildcat in South Africa
Easiest first. Pick a park for when and where to look there.
About the African Wildcat
The African wildcat is a small wild felid closely related to the domestic cat and widely distributed across Africa. It generally has a sandy, grey or brown coat with subtle darker markings, banding on the legs and a ringed tail with a dark tip. It occurs in a wide range of habitats including savanna, grassland, woodland and semi-arid areas. African wildcats are primarily solitary hunters and feed mainly on rodents and other small mammals, but also take birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects.
How to identify the African Wildcat
Small wild cat resembling a domestic tabby, with a sandy to grey-brown coat, dark spots or stripes, a relatively narrow face and a ringed tail with a dark tip. The backs of the ears often show reddish-brown colouring.
Did you know?
The African Wildcat is considered the primary wild ancestor of the domestic cat, with domestication beginning thousands of years ago.
Also known as: Wildekat, Afrika-wildekat, Wildcat
Planning a safari? Pick a park above to see when and where to look for African Wildcat, and log your own sightings in opspoor, even with no signal.