Welcome to the second part of my Win A Wildcat Charity Auction. Today we will be learning some fascinating facts about these beautiful cats and why they are so important in the ecosystem.
Plus why supporting Saving Wildcats is such a good idea and how YOU can get involved in my online fine art auction!
Image with permission from Mark of Pixabay
Hello there and welcome to Part Two of my short series all about wonderful Scottish Wildcats and my special online auction in support of them! Today we are looking at who these amazing beings are and why they are so important in their eco system.
If this is the first in my mini series you have seen please do also read my first post - Part One HERE to learn more about my silent charity online auction and how you can get involved, bidding to bring my Fine Art print "The Highland Tiger" into your home (or a special gift for a loved one).
The winning bid will support the Saving Wildlife Collaboration work with 100% of your winning bid donated. I have received some bids already, thank you so much to those of you that have bid! This auction ends at midday (UK) on November 10th 2024, so there is still plenty of time for you to take part. Read part one for all the details and to place your bid.
Fascinating Facts About Scottish Wildcats
Felis Silvestris Grampia is the latin name for the Scottish Wildcat. Following the end of the last ice age some 10,000 years ago a number of Felis Silvestris Silvestris (European Wildcat) were stranded on the newly reformed island known as Great Britain. Eventually retreating from most parts of the island, due to persecution and habitat loss, they were later renamed Felis Silvestris Grampia signifying the region (Grampian) of the Scottish Highlands that they migrated to.
They are a predatory animal, living in remote woodland in northern and eastern Scotland. When at optimum numbers they provide valuable balance in their eco system, contributing to the health of flora and fauna.
Although you may think the Scottish Wildcat looks just like a domestic cat there are some significant differences, most noticeably their thick tail with black stripes and a black blunt tip. Their unique pelage (coat markings) is also distinguishable from domestic tabby cats. At up to 65cm in length and weighing up to 6.5kg they are a very big little cat!
They eat mainly small rodents, especially mice and field voles and can eat rabbits or hares. Much less often they eat small birds, amphibians and insects.
They are sadly, the most threatened mammal in the United Kingdom and are protected by law.
They are classified as "non viable" which means their wild numbers are so low there is not enough genetic diversity to support their recovery without significant help from humanity...
Saving Wildcats are breeding to release from a genetic variety of wildcats from ex situ UK and European facilities to provide essential diversity to enable the wild population to begin to recover. At one years old they are releasing the sub adult cats into carefully selected secret release areas, allowing them to live wild and free.
Cairngorms National Park, Scottish Highlands
So, there you go, a short post sharing a little about these amazing wild beings. I hope you have enjoyed reading a little more. If you would like to support their work as well as bringing my fine art print into your home (or gifting to a loved one) please do go over to my first post now to learn how you can do this simply - via my silent online charity auction HERE
I'll be back next week with my next part in this mini series where I will share what inspired me to create "The Highland Tiger" my connection with these iconic Scottish cats and how I set about creating him - so do watch out for it. If you'd like to subscribe to get an e-mail each time I post here please click this LINK
Image from Angela of Pixabay
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