What kind of animal is a sand cat? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. This cat is very cute and very popular, living from the Middle East to Africa. However, despite this background, the reality is that their numbers are decreasing and it cannot be said that they are in good condition.
What is sand cat? About basic status
The sand cat is a carnivorous animal classified in the order Carnivora, family Felidae, genus Felidae. Its scientific name is Felis margarita and it looks like a sand cat. This cat has a body length of 42 – 57 cm, a tail length of 28 – 35 cm, and a weight of 1 – 3 kg. It is the cat that represents the United Arab Emirates and is also known as the “Angel of the Desert.” If you are from the Middle East, you definitely know this. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | スナネコ |
| English（英名） | Sand Cat |
| scientific name(学名) | Acinonyx jubatus |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、 Carnivora、 Felidae、Felis 哺乳綱、食肉目、ネコ科、ネコ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 42 – 57cm |
| Weight（体重） | 1 – 3kg |
About classification
Sand cats are a species very close to wildcats. There are four subspecies of this species. In general, their appearance, food, and cries are the same as domestic cats. The cost of keeping them is not much different. Many people in the area keep them as pets.
Felis margarita margarita
This subspecies is found in Algeria, Egypt, Niger, Mali, and Morocco. There are about 2 to 6 ring-shaped spots on the tail.
Felis margarita harrisoni
A subspecies that lives in Israel, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and the Arabian Peninsula. There are 5-7 circular spots on the tail.
Felis margarita scheffeli
It is a subspecies that only lives in Pakistan, and its population is very small.
Felis margarita thinobia
This subspecies lives in Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. There is a theory that it is divided into two subspecies, and some scholars divide it into Felis margarita margarita and Felis margarita thinobia.
Where is its habitat?
The sand cat’s main habitat is the Arabian Peninsula. It is mainly distributed in the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, but it also lives in North Africa, such as Morocco, Kuwait, and Iran.
- Geographic Distribution
North Africa: Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Libya
Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, Iran
Central Asia: Pakistan, Afghanistan
Distribution Characteristics: Found mainly in arid regions and deserts, at altitudes of approximately 0-1,500m.
- Habitat
Deserts and Semi-Deserts: Sand dunes, rocky areas, and sandy plains
Dry Grasslands and Barrens: Areas with shrubs and dry bushes
Securing Hiding Places:
Uses crevices in rocks and holes in sand dunes as burrows.
Hides in burrows during the day and is active at night.
- Environmental Characteristics
Adapted to hot, dry conditions
Can survive in areas with limited water sources (obtains moisture primarily from food)
Live within food-rich areas and move as feeding grounds change.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
The color of the coat is grey-yellow, which is difficult to find in the desert, and the back part is a light grayish-yellow. The tail becomes blacker towards the tip and has a black ring pattern. The sand cat has long hair on the inside of its ears and on the soles of its feet, which are adapted to protect it from getting burned in the desert. The most distinctive feature is that the head is wide and the ears are large and wide triangular in shape. They hide in burrows during the day and are nocturnal.
- Body Size and Appearance
Body Length: Approximately 39-52 cm
Tail Length: 23-31 cm
Weight: 1.5-3.5 kg
Body Type and Coat Color:
Small and sturdy
Light sandy to tan coat that blends in with the desert environment
Black spots and vertical lines on the face, with distinctive patterns around the eyes
Ears:
Large, round ears with highly developed hearing
Able to accurately determine the direction of sounds and the location of prey
Feet and Claws:
The soles of the feet are covered with hair, protecting them from the desert sand and heat
Sharp claws, well-suited for capturing prey
- Behavior and Personality
Nocturnal and Solitary: They hide in burrows during the day and are active at night
Timid and cautious, but highly agile when hunting and traveling
Independent and territorial
- Diet
Carnivorous/Predator:
Feeds on small mammals (such as rodents), insects, and reptiles.
They drink little water, hydrating themselves through food.
They capture prey by sneaking up and quickly grabbing it.
- Biological Characteristics
Their body shape and coat color are adapted to the desert, allowing them to hide from predators.
Their ear and foot structures are optimized for desert life.
They maintain their own territories and hunt at night.
What is your personality like?
Sand cats are rare and very ferocious and have an aggressive personality. Many people want to keep a sand cat as a pet, but unless you are an expert who is used to handling cats, you will have a hard time keeping one. We do not recommend keeping multiple pets with other animals. They may prey on them or even get into fights.
Sand Cat Personality and Behavior
Timid and cautious
Sensitive to predators and humans, they quickly hide when they sense danger
Rest in their burrows during the day to protect themselves from predators
Independent
Generally solitary
Territorial, they only interact with other sand cats during breeding season
Nocturnal and agile
Active and hunt at night
Skillful at capturing small mammals and insects
Cautious and cautious
Approach new environments and objects cautiously
Ensure food and burrow safety before moving in
What is the ecology like?
Sand cats, wild animals, live in rocky, gravel, sandy, and sand dune deserts, where they prey on reptiles, large snakes, and small insects and mammals such as mice and scorpions. They generally search for prey in dry, hot desert areas such as Saudi Arabia, and often rest in burrows or in the shade during the day. They can also obtain a lot of water from their prey. They are viviparous. In captivity, they have a gestation period of about two months. They breed from March to April, and females can give birth to 2-6 pups at a time. They can live for over 14 years in captivity.
- Life Rhythm
Nocturnal: They hide in burrows during the day and hunt and move at night.
Burrows:
Hide in rock crevices or holes in sand dunes during the day.
Maintain body temperature in burrows in the harsh desert environment.
- Diet
Carnivorous (Predators):
Small mammals (rodents), insects, reptiles, etc.
Hydration:
Supplement necessary moisture from food.
Little need for drinking water.
- Breeding
Breeding Season: Varies by region, but most common from spring to summer.
Nest Building: Uses rock crevices or holes in sand dunes.
Little Birth: Usually 2-4 pups.
Brooding:
Mother holds and feeds chicks.
Becomes independent at about 2 months of age.
- Sociality/Behavior
Primarily solitary.
They have a territory and only interact with other individuals during breeding season.
Migration distance varies flexibly depending on the desert environment.
- Habitat Relationship
Specialized in desert and semi-desert areas
Ability to survive in hot, dry, and food-scarce environments
Uses terrain for hiding places and hunting
Are there any natural enemies?
The sand cat’s natural enemies are mainly large carnivores. Great threats include wolves, caracals, golden jackals, and golden eagles, which are often preyed upon.
About Sand Cat Babies
By summarizing the behavior of sand cat (Felis margarita) babies, we can understand their developmental stages and behavior from birth to independence.
- Birth and Nest
Breeding Season: Spring to Summer
Nest Building:
They build dens in safe locations such as rock crevices, holes in sand dunes, or depressions in the sand.
Litter Size: Usually 2-4
Birth Weight: Approximately 50-70g
- Characteristics of Babies
They are born with downy fur and their eyes are closed.
Their legs, ears, and sensory organs are underdeveloped.
They are barely able to move from the den and are completely dependent on their parents.
- Growth Stages
Growth and Behavior: From 0-2 weeks, they remain closed and are held by their mother in the den. They depend on feeding and warmth. From 2-4 weeks, their fur opens and their ears become erect. Their fur grows in and they play with their siblings. From 4-6 weeks, they begin walking and making small movements around the den. They learn hunting and survival techniques from their parents at 6-8 weeks, when they begin practicing hunting. They begin exploring outside the den at about 2 months, when they begin to move independently. They are able to hunt and move with the assistance of their parents.
- Survival Considerations
High risk of predation from natural enemies (birds of prey, snakes, weasels, etc.)
Poor food and den security reduce the survival rate of young.
Is the sand cat an endangered species?
Currently, sand cats are classified as least concern and are not endangered. However, their population is not stable, and the following problems are occurring locally, which are of great concern. Due to their aggressive behavior, they are not very suitable for keeping as a pet, even though they are a cute cat breed.
captured for pet trade
Sand cats are very famous cats that can be seen in zoos, but they are also captured for the pet trade. Overfishing is progressing and is a fairly serious problem in the United Arab Emirates and Iraq. They are attracting attention from breeders because they can sell for quite a high price.
risk of transmitting disease
This poses a risk of transmitting diseases from one sand cat to another, or even from your pet cat. Infections such as feline leukemia and feline AIDS have been observed, so epidemics are also a major threat.
receive revenge for killing poultry
Sand cats are carnivorous and wild animals. For this reason, they sometimes attack and kill farmers’ livestock, and are often killed by local farmers. In many cases, they actually die as a result of retaliation.
Can sand cats be kept?
It is questionable whether sand cats can be bred. Sand cats are much more ferocious than domestic cats, so they are not recommended for beginners. If possible, it would be a good idea to see it at an event at a zoo. In Japan, Nasu Animal Kingdom and Kobe Animal Kingdom are very famous. Although it is far away, you can see males and females. Visit the official website to see the news. Guided by videos and photos.
- Legal Issues
Sand cats are wild animals, often listed in Appendix I or II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and their import and export are restricted internationally.
Even in Japan, keeping wild species requires special permission from the Ministry of the Environment or the prefecture.
Keeping, importing, or breeding them without permission is illegal.
- Difficulties in Keeping
Natural Habitat Reproduction Required:
The temperature difference between day and night and the dry environment of the desert must be reproduced.
They also need burrows to hide in during the day and space for nighttime activities.
Diet Issues:
They must be fed small mammals, insects, and reptiles.
They require a feeding environment tailored to their ecology, obtaining moisture from food.
Personality and Behavior:
They are timid, nocturnal, and prefer a solitary lifestyle, making them vulnerable to environmental stress.
Acclimatizing them to human living environments is extremely difficult.
- Cases Where Keeping is Possible
Only available in zoos, research facilities, and specialized facilities specializing in desert ecology.
Specialized equipment, breeding know-how, and legal permission are required.
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