African wild cat with kitten! Photo was taken at Kieliekrankie, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa!
Wikipedia:
The wildcat (Felis silvestris) is a small cat native to much of Africa, Europe, and Southwest and Central Asia into India, western China, and Mongolia. Because of its wide range it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 2002. However, crossbreeding of wildcats and domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) occurs in particular in Europe and is considered a potential threat for the preservation of the wild species.
The wildcat shows a high degree of geographic variation. Whereas the Asiatic wildcat is spotted, the African wildcat is faintly striped, has short sandy-gray fur, banded legs, red-backed ears and a tapering tail. The European wildcat is striped, has long fur and a bushy tail with a rounded tip, and is larger than a domestic cat.
The wildcat is the ancestor of the domestic cat. Genetic, morphological and archaeological evidence suggests that domestication of Old-World wildcats began approximately 7500 years BCE in the Fertile Crescent region of the Near East. The association of wildcats with humans appears to have developed along with the growth of agricultural villages during the Neolithic Revolution, with wildcats preying on rodents that infested the grain stores of early farmers.
Until 2007, twenty-two subspecies of wildcat were recognized. Since publication of results of a phylogeographical analysis, only five subspecific groups have been suggested, including the Chinese mountain cat.
Wild cats are nocturnal and prey on rodents, birds and reptiles.
Copyright: Robert Kok. All rights reserved!
Please do not use my photos on websites, blogs or in any other media without my explicit permission.
Thanks for visiting, commenting and faving my photos. Its very much appreciated!
Tags: wild cats kitten Robert Kok South Africa Zuid-Afrika nature wildlife Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park KTP cat wilde kat Vaalboskat Nikon D500 500 F4 Felis lybica cafra
© All Rights Reserved
This portrait photo was taken at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, near Melkvlei, South Africa!
Copyright: Robert Kok. All rights reserved!
Please do not use my photos on websites, blogs or in any other media without my explicit permission.
Thanks for visiting, commenting and faving my photos. Its very much appreciated!
Tags: Cheetah Jachtluipaard Acinonyx jubatus predator roofdier © Robert Kok nature natuur wildlife South Africa Zuid-Afrika Nikon D500 500 F4 zoogdier mammal Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park KTP Guépard
© All Rights Reserved
Copyright: Robert Kok. All rights reserved!
Please do not use my photos on websites, blogs or in any other media without my explicit permission.
Thanks for visiting, commenting and faving my photos. Its very much appreciated!
Tags: agame lizard hagedis reptile Robert Kok nature natuur wildlife Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park KTP South Africa Zuid-Afrika Nikon D800 70-300 pool paal sunrise early morning Agama aculeata koggelmander ground agama posing
© All Rights Reserved
We were very lucky to witness an abandoned hunt of two male and three female (one sub adult) lions near Rooiputs at the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa!
This lioness walked up the red dune to take a rest after the unsuccessful hunt!
Wishing you all a relaxed Sunday!
Copyright: Robert Kok. All rights reserved!
Please do not use my photos on websites, blogs or in any other media without my explicit permission.
Thanks for visiting, commenting and faving my photos. Its very much appreciated!
Tags: predator roofdier lioness leeuwin ©Robert Kok South Africa Zuid-Afrika Kgalagadi KTP Nikon D500 500 F4 mammal zoogdier summer red dune rode duinen early morning extender 1.4 III ISO 200 F9 big cat nature wildlife carnivore dessert woestijn natural environment
© All Rights Reserved
Early morning shot of an alert Springbok at the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa!
I like the alert pose of the Springbok, the angle of it's ears towards the dunes with two hiding Cheetah's, and the alarm sounds it made!
The Cheetahs were hiding on the top of a red dune at short distance! We saw the Cheetahs after a while when they gave up their stalking activity! Photo's of the two beautiful Cheetah's will follow in due time!
Copyright: Robert Kok. All rights reserved!
Please do not use my photos on websites, blogs or in any other media without my explicit permission.
Thanks for visiting, commenting and faving my photos. Its very much appreciated!
Tags: Springbok Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park KTP South Africa Zuid_Afrika Nikon D500 500mm F4 mammal zoogdier Robert Kok red dune rode duinen woestijn Antidorcas marsupialis gazelle sand zand alert stalking horns horens
© All Rights Reserved