Scottish wildcat

One of the country’s most iconic species, the Scottish wildcat is critically endangered and faces the very real threat of extinction.

No one actually knows for sure how many are left in the wild. The most recent population estimates range from between 100 to 300.

Pure-bred wildcats are said to be untameable. Even those raised by humans as kittens will grow up wild and can never be tamed.

Wildcats are typically 25% larger than ordinary cats and weigh between 5kg and 8kg. They have huge thigh muscles, allowing them to sprint at up to 30mph. They are built to kill

Wildcats have nocturnal vision, large retractable claws, sharp teeth and extremely strong jaw muscles which they use to kill prey.

They have to spend between seven to nine hours hunting every day in order to survive, and doing so during the day and by night.

Interbreeding with both pet and feral cats, leading to hybridisation, is the major factor in the risk of wildcat extinction.

Contact with feral and domestic cats exposes the Scottish wildcat to novel diseases.

These can often be treated easily on ordinary cats, but can prove fatal to their wild cousins.

Decline of wildcat habitat, such as native woodlands, is also a factor in their numbers being so low.