Wildcat
Felis silvestris
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_wildcat
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
Wildcat belongs to the family Felidae, order Carnivora, within the Mammalia class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Wildcat faces severe threats from hybridization with domestic cats, which dilutes the genetic integrity of pure wildcat populations and represents one of the most significant conservation challenges for the species. Habitat fragmentation and loss due to agricultural expansion, urbanization, and infrastructure development have severely reduced suitable territory and isolated remaining populations. Conservation status may vary by region or assessment authority, but persecution by humans and competition with feral domestic cats continue to drive population declines.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Wildcats occupy diverse habitats including deciduous and mixed forests, scrubland, grasslands, and rocky areas with adequate cover and prey availability. They prefer areas with low human disturbance, typically avoiding open agricultural landscapes and dense urban environments.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Wildcat faces severe threats from hybridization with domestic cats, which dilutes the genetic integrity of pure wildcat populations and represents one of the most significant conservation challenges for the species. Habitat fragmentation and loss due to agricultural expansion, urbanization, and infrastructure development have severely reduced suitable territory and isolated remaining populations. Conservation status may vary by region or assessment authority, but persecution by humans and competition with feral domestic cats continue to drive population declines.
Competition with feral domestic cats
Habitat fragmentation and loss
Human persecution and hunting
Hybridization with domestic cats
Disease transmission from domestic cats
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Wildcat (Felis silvestris). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/wildcat