wildcat

Wildcat is a common name applied to several small wild cats in the family Felidae, and it is also used in non-biological contexts. In zoology, it most often refers to two species: the European wildcat (Felis silvestris) and the African wildcat (Felis lybica). Domestic cats are widely believed to be descended from the African wildcat.

Wildcats are typically medium-sized felids with coats that range from striped to spotted, and tails that are often bushy with dark markings. They are generally solitary and territorial, and most species are nocturnal or crepuscular. Diet consists mainly of small vertebrates, such as rodents, birds, and insects, though they will opportunistically feed when available.

Geographically, the European wildcat occurs in parts of Europe and western Asia, while the African wildcat ranges across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. Several other small wild cats are sometimes colloquially called wildcats, and the term is sometimes applied imprecisely to unrelated species.

Conservation concerns for wildcats include habitat loss, fragmentation, road mortality, and genetic introgression from domestic cats through hybridization. Some populations are stable where protected, while others are threatened.

Other uses of the term include the designation of exploratory oil wells drilled in unproven areas, known as wildcat wells. In sports and culture, "Wildcats" is a common team nickname, with notable examples such as the Kentucky Wildcats.