If you’re a cat mad family, don’t miss The Tiger Who Came to Tea. If you’re searching for ‘family theatre near me’ this is one of the best shows of the moment, featuring a cheeky beast who eats and drinks everything in little Sophie’s home. Tigers are one of the most majestic big cats in the world. But what do you know about the smaller African wildcat and how do they differ from the domestic cats we all know and love? Let’s find out.

1. Body size

The African wildcat is typically larger than the average domestic cat. It has a head-body length ranging from 18-30 inches and a weight of between 2.7 to 6.4kg. The African wildcat is comparable with larger breeds of domestic cats like Abyssinians and Bengals.

1. Stature

Domestic cats are mollycoddled by humans - and we all know that many toddle off to the neighbour’s house for an extra helping of food. For this reason, they can be somewhat chubby, snacking on their own carefully selected food as well as anything else we decide to give them throughout the day. African wildcats, however, are lean and muscular as they have to be in peak hunting condition. If they sit around, they won’t survive in the wild.

1. Legs

African wildcats tend to have longer legs than domestic cats. This makes it easy for them to run, leap, pounce and climb up trees away from larger predators.

1. Tail

The tail of the African wildcat is also longer than the domestic cat’s tail. This makes it much easier for them to climb and chase prey. Both wild and domestic cats use their tails to communicate mood. A tail that’s high in the air or swaying from side to side could be a sign of agitation.

1. Ears

African wildcats tend to have orange coloured ears that are fairly pointy in shape. Known as rufus ears, these are highly sensitive and are able to rotate to sense the direction of movement. Domestic cats have many different coloured ears but they still use their ears as a form of protection and communication.

1. Aggression

Wildcats are much more aggressive by nature, whereas house cats are more likely to be subdued through reward based stimuli. Domestic cats can also tolerate and even enjoy human interaction and contact, whereas wildcats are aggressive from birth, screeching and hissing at unfamiliar objects and sounds.

1. Dependence

Domestic cats rely on humans to feed them and come to expect meals at certain times of the day, returning home specifically to eat. On the African plains, wildcats survive all on their own with no-one else there to help them find food. They’re athletically built for hunting purposes.

If you love everything about cats, don’t forget to book tickets to see The Tiger Who Came to Tea. When it comes to ‘children’s theatre near me’ you won’t find a better production for preschoolers. Packed with clumsy chaos, sing-along songs and plenty of interactive moments, this is a great all-rounder for families. Theatre tickets for children’s shows are available now, so don’t miss out.