Research overview: Felis lybica, the wildcat ancestor of house cats

The African or Near Eastern wildcat, Felis silvestris lybica, is the direct ancestor of all domestic cats. This overview surveys its ecology, distribution and behaviour, describing a solitary, territorial small carnivore of arid and semi-arid landscapes that hunts rodents, birds and reptiles. It explains how the subspecies' relatively bold, adaptable temperament made it the wildcat most likely to exploit the commensal niche around early farms, in contrast to the shyer European wildcat. The survey covers ongoing genetic and morphological work distinguishing lybica from related forms, its conservation status amid hybridization with domestic cats, and how understanding the ancestor's biology illuminates the behaviour, dietary needs and stress responses of pet cats today.