8 Interesting Facts about Sand Cats!
The sand cat (Felis silvestris lybica) also known as the sand dune cat is a small wild cat distributed over dry habitats in North Africa the Middle East and Central Asia. This wide-ranging feline is the only Felis species found naturally in both Africa and Asia. It has a pale grey to the yellowish coat which is patternless except for two dark stripes on each cheek and four dark lines running from the corners of its eyes down the sides of its nose to its jaw. Its ears are black-tipped and pointed and it has black tufts at the end of its reddish-brown to greyish brown tail.
Sand cat pet
Although the sand cat is considered a desert-dwelling species it is also found in steppes semi-deserts and scrublands. It is the only Felis species found in such arid habitats. The sand cat’s coat is pale grey to light brownish in color and is covered with dark spots. It has long tufts of black hair on its ears and its tail is black with a white tip.
Sand cat facts
Did you know that the sand cat is the only cat species that can live in true deserts? These incredible felines are found in northern Africa and the Middle East and have some amazing adaptations that enable them to survive in such harsh conditions. For example, they have furry feet that act like built-in snowshoes preventing them from sinking into the sand. They also have very thick fur that helps keep them warm at night when temperatures can drop below freezing. And if that wasn’t enough they can also go without water for long periods of time!
Sand cat habitat
The sand cat is a small wildcat living in sandy and stony deserts far from water sources. It is the only felid found in true deserts and has a wide but fragmented range through North Africa the Arabian Peninsula central Asia and India.
The sand cat’s coat is pale yellowish-grey to greyish-brown with dark spots on the head and neck and dark bands on the legs. It is a nocturnal hunter preying on small mammals reptiles and birds. The sand cat reproduces once yearly having litters of one to six kittens that stay with their mother for around six months before becoming independent.
Sand cat size
Sand cats are small cats with a head-body length of 35 to 52 cm (14 to 20 in). They have a short tail that is black-tipped. They weigh 2 to 4 kg (4.4 to 8.8 lb). They are sandy yellow or light brown in color and their fur is thick and long providing good camouflage in their desert habitat.
Sand cat price
Sand cats are one of the most elusive and rarest cats in the world. They are also one of the most expensive with a price tag of around $10,000. Sand cats are native to the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East and their unique adaptations make them perfectly suited to life in the sand. They have thick fur that protects them from the harsh sun and their large feet act like snowshoes allowing them to walk on top of the sand without sinking.
SAND CAT Reproduction and Development
The sand cat (Felis silvestris lybica) is a small felid that inhabits dry hot deserts. This feline is the only cat species known to readily drink brackish water. It has a broad head and large ears which are black-tipped and set high on the head. The sand cat’s coat is pale yellowish gray to light brown with dark gray spots on the head and neck and rows of dark spots running along the body. The belly and inner thighs are white.
The sand cat reproduces well in captivity and litters of two to four kittens are common. Females give birth every year. The gestation period is 60 to 65 days. Kittens weigh about 100 grams (3.5 ounces) at birth and open their eyes after 10 days. They begin to walk at about three weeks of age and are weaned at six to seven weeks. Females mature sexually at about one year of age than males.
SAND CAT Physical Description
The sand cat (Felis margarita) also known as the sand dune cat is a small felid found primarily in the deserts of Central Asia although its range extends into the Sahara Desert and the Arabian Peninsula. The sand cat is the only cat found naturally in deserts. It has a stocky build and long dense fur that protects it from both extreme cold and heat. The sand cat’s coat is pale yellowish-gray with dark brown spots and stripes. It has large ears and eyes which help it to hear and see predators and prey alike. The sand cat is an excellent climber and swimmer.
SAND CAT Food/Eating Habits
The sand cat is a small felid that inhabits arid regions of Central Asia and the Sahara Desert. The sand cat’s diet consists mostly of small mammals such as rodents as well as reptiles, birds, and insects. Due to the arid environments in which they live sand cats get most of the moisture they need from their prey.
How many sand cats are in the States?
The sand cat is also known as the sand dune cat is a small wild cat that inhabits the deserts of North Africa the Middle East and Central Asia. The sand cat is the only felid whose range includes the Sahara Desert. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
There are no reliable estimates of the sand cat population in the United States but it is thought to be fairly small. The majority of sand cats in the country are found in zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.
