🌿Native Nature

European Wildcat

Felis silvestris

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia ›Phylum: Chordata ›Class: Mammalia ›Order: Carnivora ›Family: Felidae ›Genus: Felis

About

The European wildcat (Felis silvestris) is a wildcat species native to continental Europe, Scotland, Turkey and the Caucasus. It inhabits forests from the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, Central and Eastern Europe to the Caucasus. It has been extirpated in England and Wales.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of European Wildcat?
The scientific name of European Wildcat is Felis silvestris.
What is the conservation status of European Wildcat?
The European Wildcat has a conservation status of Least Concern.
What kingdom does European Wildcat belong to?
European Wildcat belongs to the kingdom Animalia.
What phylum does European Wildcat belong to?
European Wildcat belongs to the phylum Chordata.
What class does European Wildcat belong to?
European Wildcat belongs to the class Mammalia.
What order does European Wildcat belong to?
European Wildcat belongs to the order Carnivora.
What family does European Wildcat belong to?
European Wildcat belongs to the family Felidae.
What genus does European Wildcat belong to?
European Wildcat belongs to the genus Felis.

In the News

The European wildcat is back. In some places.

Founder’s Briefs: An occasional series where Mongabay founder Rhett Ayers Butler shares analysis, perspectives and story summaries. The European wildcat is not one conservation story, but several. In the Czech Republic’s Lusatian Mountains, the signs are encouraging. Conservationists have found a male and female wildcat, which they named Jonáš and Tonka, the first recorded in […]

Mongabay · 6/3/2026

The European wildcat hovers between recovery and local extinction

A quiet comeback story is unfolding for the European wildcat in the Czech Republic’s Lusatian Mountains. Conservationists tracking this elusive species there have spotted a male and female, named Jonáš and Tonka, the first to be found in the region in nearly a century. This small cat species lives in forests across Europe. It’s doing […]

Mongabay · 5/11/2026