Wildcats

If you see a wildcat or signs of a wildcat, please report it to Ardnamurchan Estate on 01972 510 208.  Any reports of cat sightings or field signs would be very valuable to the Estate’s ongoing wildcat project.

How to recognise a wildcat:

Wildcats can be difficult to identify since they have many close similarities to the 'ordinary' tabby.  However, a true wildcat is distinguished by having -

A mostly brown coat with distinctive black tiger-stripe markings
A thick, ruffled coat appearance
Little or no spotted markings
Little or no white patches
A muscular solid body frame
Wavy lines over head and neck
Its dorsal stripe ends at the base of its tail
A very thick tail with a blunt end
Perfect black rings which circle the whole tail, with a large black tip
A large, robust jaw, and a typically wide head and muzzle.

The main features are illustrated in this diagram:

More details in the SNH leaflet, at their website here.

Other wildcat signs (see Highland Tiger website):

Scat: The faeces are usually cylindrical with a tapered end. It may contain visible feathers, fur and bone. It can be hidden, just like a domestic cat's, but is also used to mark territory.

Tracks: Very similar to those of domestic cats but usually larger (4cm long, 3.5cm wide).

Scratching Points:  Like a domestic cat, wildcats leave scratch marks on logs and tree trunks.