Class: MAMMALIA

Order: CARNIVORA

Family: FELIDAE

Genus: FELIS

Species: MARGARITA

This species of small cat belongs to the genus Felis, shared with several other species of cat of comparable size. It is found in scattered areas of North Africa, from the western coast of Morrocco to Niger [though absent from a considerable area between], a small area of Mali, another small area in Chad, as well as areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran and Uzbekistan. Its scattered range remains one of unclear reasoning – though it could be that the species is present in other areas, but has yet to be observed there, so the true extent of its population is questionable. It is a species which is rarely observed in natural situation. Its closest living relative is believed to be that of the black-footed cat, the smallest cat in Africa; which inhabits areas south of the Sahara where the sand cat resides. Modern research indicates that the sand cat has only two living subspecies – F. margarita margarita, which is found on the African continent, and F. m. thinobia, found on the Asian continent, including the middle east. The species' scientific name is derives from the General Margueritte - who was on duty in North Africa during the 1850s.

Sand cats are appropriately coloured against the backdrop of arid desert – they are a light yellow colour, and have a white belly. From the eye’s side opposite its nasal bridge there is a dark red stripe which stretches down its cheeks. The area below the eye, and this red stripe, is largely white in colouration. The back of the sand cat’s ears, like many other cats, have a black tip. There are a few other dark stripes which encircle the animal’s legs – usually two, thick stripes. There are also dark stripes on the main portion of the body, with both stripes and streaked-spots on the hind legs – though the prominence of these is dependent on the animal – some sand cats have these very prominent, and in others they are hardly noticeable. There are a few stripes also on the animal’s tail - which is about half of the body length, with a black tip. The sand cat has thick fur which covers the soles of its paws – as to prevent the paws from overheating, and also giving assistance to moving over the loose sand. Like any other resident of the desert, Sand cats must not only be adapted for the heat of the day; but also the extreme cold of the night. They have thick fur – which reduces the loss of body temperature, so that heat is preserved. They have an overal body length of about 45 centimetres, a tail of 25 or so centimetres, a height of 25 centimetres at shoulder, and a weight of about 2 kilogrammes.

The shrubby desert of the Mangystau region of Kazakhstan constitutes prime habitat for the sand cat; a climate which is often inpreferable to most other animal life, including other cat species. They are the only cat species resident of a completely arid environment, though they are also found in stony desert, and dry steppes where only shrubs can grow. The areas in which the sand cat lives receive less than 20 millimetres of rainfall a year. The areas where sand cats are most commonplace seems to be that of shrubby desert – where food for small mammals, such as rodents, is more abundant – rather than strict sand dunes like that of the Sahara. They are notoriously difficult to observe – as their hair-covered soles left no paw tracks behind, are well-camouflaged, crouching low so that their eye reflections are not visible – in addition to the fact that they have a tendency to bury their feces – and for most of the day they spend time underground within burrows, as the heat of the day can be up to 45 degrees Celsius. In the colder months, however, it may be found sunbathing during the day. It is for this reason that they are not found in areas of compact soil. The dry climate means that sound lacks much of a medium for which to travel, so the sand cat needs particularly acute hearing to detect rodents. Although precise data regarding the diet of the sand-cat remains scarce, it is thought to be mainly composed of rodents; such as gerbils and jerboas, which are flushed from underground; though it sometimes also consumes birds – and on various occasions has also been observed killing horned vipers to eat, quickly stunning with rapid blows before biting the neck to kill. They have also been observed in captivity to readily eat lizards. As water is scarce in the regions where sand cats live, they are able to consume enough water solely from what is contained in their prey.

Much of the active hours of the sand cat are spent in search of food – with sand cats travelling up to 10 kilometres in a night. It is for this reason that they have perhaps the largest territorial range for a cat of their size, with one male found to have a territory of 16 square kilometres – though it’s possible that some ranges are close to 50 square kilometres in size. Recent research also considers the possibility that sand cats are nomadic, moving based on wet seasons. Jackals are a carnivore often present in the same area as the sand cat – and they are considered rivals or even as predators. As a solitary species with a low population density, sand cats must rely mainly on loud vocal communication – including one mating call which is easily likened to the barking of a small dog. As well as various other social interactions much like those of domestic cats – including growling, hissing, and purring. The sexes, which are alike, come together only to mate – after which the fathers play no part in raising young. The time of year when mating occurs varies – in the Sahara from January until April, in Pakistan from September to October – with the kittens, numbering about 3 or 4, born about 2 months later, weighing up to 60 grams at birth. The time of year might be based off climate. After two weeks the eyes open, and two weeks after that they venture outside. At five weeks they are weaned, and are independent by four months. By 14 months they are sexually mature. Their lifespan in the wild has yet to be determined, but they can live some 15 years in captivity.

Sand cats have garnered religious respect in some areas of North Africa, as they are traditionally held to have been companion to the Prophet Mohammed. And so whilst stealing of chickens or other small livestock occurs in these regions, sand cats are not prosecuted for this. Even so, they are sometimes unintentionally trapped or killed by dogs. They are sometimes captured for the pet trade – which often leads to the cats dying of stress from careless handling, being more skittish than domestic cats. They are bred in zoos, but the population remains small since they are difficult to breed. Even keeping sand cats in captivity is challenging - as they need a constant warm climate with minimal humidity. The main threat to the sand cat’s survival is that of degradation of shrubbish habitat – which leads to the loss of prey species. The sand cat is currently assessed by the IUCN as being of ‘Least Concern’ – but more integral methods of survey will be required so for a proper assessment to be carried out.