A long time ago, Europe was home to many different species of wild cats. Today, only three European wild cats are native to the area: the European wildcat, the Eurasian lynx, and the Iberian lynx.
More About Europe
Europe is a continent bordered by the Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea. It covers almost 4 million miles—2% of the surface of Earth. Approximately 11% of the world’s population lives in Europe.
Europe’s geography ranges from picturesque beaches to majestic mountains and everything in between. The climate is relatively temperate, with distinct seasonal changes.
Here are all of the countries that are part of Europe:
Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia (FYROM), Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom (UK) and Vatican City.
European Wild Cat Species
European wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris) have a history dating back hundreds of thousands of years. They are an ancestor of the domestic (household) cat, which can be found throughout Europe. The cat has a conservation status of Least Concern. Scottish wildcats are descendants of European wildcats. They came from a group of European wildcats that became separated by the English Channel more than 9,000 years ago.
The Eurasian lynx, the largest member of the lynx species, is a truly remarkable creature. It has adapted and thrived in various habitats across North, Central, and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Siberia, a testament to its resilience. However, despite its Least Concern conservation status, the Eurasian lynx is not without its challenges. It still faces threats that require our attention and action for its long-term survival, underscoring the importance of conservation efforts.
Iberian lynx inhabits the Iberian Peninsula, a land mass in the southwest corner of Europe that divides Spain and Portugal. Like the Eurasian lynx, it has existed since the Pleistocene epoch (Ice Age).
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Felis silvestris tartessia
The European Wildcat is a subspecies of wildcat found across Europe, Scotland, Turkey, and the Caucasus, particularly in forested areas. It is larger than a domestic cat and has grey and brown fur. The European Wildcat is considered to be of least concern in terms of conservation status. Its prey includes voles, mice, rats, and hamsters. the Caucasus, usually in forested areas.
Lynx pardnus
Conservation Status: Endangered
The Iberian lynx is a endangered wild cat that can be found on the Iberian Peninsula. It was on the verge of extinction in 2002 with only 94 cats in the wild. As of May 2023, the population had increased to 1668.
The Iberian lynx fur is light to yellowish brown with spots that decrease in size as they go down the back. Small head with tufted ears.
Eurasian Lynx
Lynx lynx
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The Eurasian lynx is one of four lynx wild cat species (and largest) that can be found in various parts of Europe, Central Asia, Siberia, the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau, usually in forested areas. The Eurasian lynx has a reddish brown coat with black spots, and white under it’s chin and neck.
Proposed Eurasian lynx subspecies:
- L. l. lynx (Northern lynx)
- L. I. Turkestan
- L. l Caucasian lynx
- L. l Siberian lynx
- L. l. balcanicus (Balkan lynx)
- L. l carpathicus (Carpathian lynx)
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