Wildcats become active at dusk hunting small mammals such as hares and rodents, birds, lizards and insects. Their basic hunting technique of stalking was perfected in dense habitats where prey was scarce and territories defined. Where prey is abundant, cats often live in groups to defend and exploit food resources. During the day, wildcats are tucked away in rocky crevices, trees or underground burrow. Sometimes they are active during the day if it is cool and cloudy.
Wildcats are good climbers and escape predators by climbing trees.
When defending their territory or confronting a predator, they arch their backs, raise their hair, and strike with extended claws, behaviors their domestic cousins inherited. Once a year, after a gestation of about 63-69 days, females give birth to a litter size of three to six kittens in rocks or tree hollows. The most serious threat to small cats is the fur trade which, despite adverse opinion, continues to demand large numbers of spotted cat skins.