Wildcats are somewhat larger and more robust than their cousins, the domestic cat.
Tabby-like lines mark their faces and vertical stripes extend from their backs to bellies. Fur color varies from a grayish tan to iron or silver, depending on the habitat wildcats occupy. Females generally have paler markings than males. Their black-striped tails are bushy with rounded ends. Distinguished from the large cats, small cats such as wildcats cannot roar because of an ossified bone in the vocal apparatus.