Post by Venomous Dragon on Mar 9, 2012 23:45:24 GMT -5
Scottish Wildcat
Many of Scotland's native species - including wolves, bears and lynx - have been extinct in the country for centuries. The wildcat, though in decline, remains. The Scottish wildcat (felis silvestris silvestris) is the only member of the cat family unique to Britain. A subspecies of the European wildcat, it is characterised by its shyness. This elusiveness, together with its nocturnal habits and limited population, means that this Scottish wildlife icon is rarely seen in the wild, although many live in captivity.
Though very similar to the European wildcat (felis silvestris), the Scottish species is distinguished from it in terms of:
•size - adults weigh between 5–9 kg, compared to the 3-8kg of the European wildcat
•markings – it is better camouflaged and, therefore, harder to spot
•habitat – it occupies a wider range of habitats, partly because it has been forced to do so by habitat destruction
How to Identify a Wildcat Compared to a Domestic Cat
The Scottish wildcat is broadly similar in appearance to a domestic tabby with its brown and black striped fur and it is easy, at a distance, to mistake the one for the other. Visually, however, there are significant differences between the two – scientists at the National Museum of Scotland have identified seven separate differences in markings.
VS
Black Headed Python
Description
Adults grow to an average of 5 to 8.25 ft (1.5 to 2m) in length,[4] but can grow to a maximum length of 2.5m, although average specimens are slightly smaller. The body is muscular with a flattened profile, while the tail tapers to a thin point.
Many of Scotland's native species - including wolves, bears and lynx - have been extinct in the country for centuries. The wildcat, though in decline, remains. The Scottish wildcat (felis silvestris silvestris) is the only member of the cat family unique to Britain. A subspecies of the European wildcat, it is characterised by its shyness. This elusiveness, together with its nocturnal habits and limited population, means that this Scottish wildlife icon is rarely seen in the wild, although many live in captivity.
Though very similar to the European wildcat (felis silvestris), the Scottish species is distinguished from it in terms of:
•size - adults weigh between 5–9 kg, compared to the 3-8kg of the European wildcat
•markings – it is better camouflaged and, therefore, harder to spot
•habitat – it occupies a wider range of habitats, partly because it has been forced to do so by habitat destruction
How to Identify a Wildcat Compared to a Domestic Cat
The Scottish wildcat is broadly similar in appearance to a domestic tabby with its brown and black striped fur and it is easy, at a distance, to mistake the one for the other. Visually, however, there are significant differences between the two – scientists at the National Museum of Scotland have identified seven separate differences in markings.
VS
Black Headed Python
Description
Adults grow to an average of 5 to 8.25 ft (1.5 to 2m) in length,[4] but can grow to a maximum length of 2.5m, although average specimens are slightly smaller. The body is muscular with a flattened profile, while the tail tapers to a thin point.
