When a myth becomes reality: that's how the discovery of the new species of cat that has only been considered to be a legend for centuries could be described.
Stories were told about the mythical "cat fox" on the French island of Corsica for generations. It was part of many myths and fairy tales. People even attributed magical powers to it. The animal looked like a big cat. It had a bushy tail, long canines and the color of a fox. For a long time they were considered to be a mere myth, until a few were caught in a remote part of the island.
The newly discovered cat is truly big (about 90 cm in length) and more powerful than European cats, and it has longer fangs in proportion to its body. Its extremely thick coat, which protects it from fleas and ticks, is indeed similar to that of a fox in color and patterns. It prefers a nocturnal life, which is why it was only discovered recently. According to initial DNA research, it does not have much in common with European wild cats. It has been found to be more closely related to the African wildcat, which raised many other questions. How did it get across the sea from the African continent to the European island?
The very first individual was caught quite randomly in a chicken coop in 2008. 4 years later researchers placed wooden sticks around the island, which the cats like to smell and rub against. This is how they first received the DNA and fur samples from the animal. Since 2016, more than 10 specimens have been captured, studied and released again.
Experts from the French National Office for Hunting and Wildlife continue to observe and study this gold-striped cat to determine its identity, identify its origins and learn about the animal's eating and other habits. Scientists also advocate the protection and recognition of the Corsican wildcat as a new species of wild cat.
Have you seen the "fox cat"? If not, you can take a look at it here. I'm curious what other facts scientists will discover about it.
Dog obedience is a big topic not only among dog owners, but also outside the community. A dog that does not obey the commands of his owner can be a big problem. Therefore, every dog should undergo at least basic training. The level of training then,...
Cats love fresh air. At least most of them do. However, not all of them have the opportunity to enjoy freedom in nature. Especially cats living in cities spend a lot of time indoors without the opportunity to run freely. That is why cat owners may...
It is a well-known fact that every dog likes to play. However, not all dog owners use the option of interactive toys. These toys, in addition to being fun and an outlet for energy, also offer the possibility of development. They have a positive effect...
Our pets are often members of our families, so it goes without saying that we want to give them the same privileges and comforts as anyone else. Although we couldn’t imagine it in the beginning, our canine companions follow us everywhere. On the...
We usually want only the best for our pets. That is why we often look for ways to improve their quality of life and make sure to support their health as much as possible. We feed them with the best on the market, include regular walks and activities...
In this next part of our series dedicated to dogfrisbee, an activity where the dog is thrown a disc, which he then catches and brings back, we focus on the discipline of Dogdartbee. This discipline comes from the Netherlands and its main essence is...
Like dogs, even cats may have therapeutic effects on patients. This treatment method is called felinotherapy and is suitable for both chronically ill patients, who may need help with coping, and those who suffer from long-term stress. Cats can bring...
Rabbits are popular pets, especially with children. They are cute and like to be petted. It’s good to know, however, that there is a wide range of rabbit breeds. There are even giant breeds, which require slightly different care than dwarf breeds. We...
There are a number of dog breeds that fall into the giant category. We may know and see a lot of them. How do these dogs differ from the mid-sized or even smaller breeds? And what do they need in terms of nutrition, raising and home? On this topic, we...
Sharing a home with a puppy is a great joy as well as worry. Especially if you have no previous experience with a dog or other domestic animal. Before getting a puppy, you should take into account a number of things, think about them carefully and...
Dogsled races are fascinating events. For the dogs and the mushers, these are challenging activities for which they need to prepare properly not only physically but also mentally. The races are not just about performance, but especially about stamina...
Thai cats originate from Siam, today’s Thailand, and came to Europe in the 1880s, then under the name Royal Cats of Siam. However, the whole process of recognition of the breed and its breeding is a complex matter. Around the 1930s, two currents...
