This is a wildcat snapped near Balbithan Woods, just a mile from Kintore.

It does not appear to be a 100% pure wildcat according to the experts. For exampble it is a little too white around the muzzle and chest, but it has the classic wildcat tail and wider jaw.



It is believed that only 400 or so pure Scottish wildcats remain.

It is precisely because of this cross breeding that the Scottish Wildcat is described as a "critically endangered species".

The most distinctive Scottish wildcat feature is the tail which is blunt (rather than the usual domestic tapered tail) and heavily striped, with a black tip. It also has the wildcat's wider jaw and the colourings are very similar to Felis Sylvestris, the Scottish wildcat.

Tags: wildlife