. The carnivores of West Africa. i!88 Tlin or WEST AFIUCA Habits. Very little indeed is known ot the life ot this cat either in the wild state or 111 captivity. Like most cats it is extremely secretive in its habits, the difficulty of study being added to by the flict that it is very largely nocturnal in its activities, though not entirely so for it may from time to time be seen on the move, or at least awake lying along a branch, during daylight. Normally it likes to shelter in a hole of not too large size, either m a tree or amongst rocks or in a small burrow made by some more fo
. The carnivores of West Africa. i!88 Tlin or WEST AFIUCA Habits. Very little indeed is known ot the life ot this cat either in the wild state or 111 captivity. Like most cats it is extremely secretive in its habits, the difficulty of study being added to by the flict that it is very largely nocturnal in its activities, though not entirely so for it may from time to time be seen on the move, or at least awake lying along a branch, during daylight. Normally it likes to shelter in a hole of not too large size, either m a tree or amongst rocks or in a small burrow made by some more fossorial animal, not too fir below the surface where the soil is warmed by the sim. In Pocock (1944) the burrows of fennccs receive particular mention. Like all cats /i/iyw seeks good protection from the rain, and a semi-open sleeping-place on the surface amongst grass. Fig. 51. i't7i.( lihyat foxi: skull, Nn. , .?, I; Literal view is thus not much favoured, as such sites otten are by the wild dogs or hyaenas. Since practically no field study has been carried out upon these cats it is unknown how constantly any shelter may be occupied; except, ot course, that at breeding tune a permanent secure home is absolutely essential for a few weeks. Most of the time, apart from the short period of actual mating or for the few months when a mother is accompanied by her kittens, these cats appear to lead entirely solitary lives. The African wild cat feeds upon rats, mice, gerbils, hares, birds of small to medium size (up to francolins), and lizards. It has been said 111 the southern part of the con- tinent, where the species often attains considerably greater bulk than in the west, to tackle larger prey such as antelope fiwns, or domestic stock such as lambs and kids; and it is reputed to be a continual threat in poultry yards. Like other carnivores it will probably, on occasions of need or when good opportunity off"ers, turn its attention to large insects or swarms of plu
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