With Genetic Science scientists are now certain that today's domestic cats are descended from the African wild cat. Slightly larger than a domestic cat, the African Wild Cat weighs 6 to 17 pounds with a head and body length of 19 to 29 inches and a tail of 8 to 13 inches.
In
Africa, it can be found in almost any type of habitat from open rocky ground to
scrubby brush and agricultural croplands.
After a 65 day gestation period, the female gives birth to two or three
kittens in a secluded den. The young suckle for approximately one month and then
begin to accompany their mother on hunting trips when they are about 3 months
old. After 6 months, the young are independent but littermates may still
continue to travel together.
The African Wild Cat lives almost entirely on small mammals and insects.
These cats are becoming increasingly rare in South Africa due to their
ability to breed with domestic cats and from the associated diseases transmitted
to these wild cats from their domestic cousins.
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