Wildcat

Wildcat, name given generally to any small or medium-sized wild cat, such as the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) and bobcat (L. rufus), which are found in North America. The true wildcat (Felis silvestris) is a powerful, vicious animal found in Europe and Africa. Wildcats are longer than common house cats and have shorter tails. One type of wildcat, the Egyptian cat, is probably the ancestor of the modern domestic cat.