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. They possess a hairless strip along the front of the nose. Small cats rest with their forepaws tucked beneath their body and the tail wrapped round them. Big cats rest with their paws in front and tails extended straight behind.
Small cats feed in a crouched position whereas big cats lie down to feed.
Wildcat populations have been found in Egypt, Palestine and Europe, particularly in such mountainous regions as the Balkans. 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.