Sand Cat Key Facts
* Inhabits deserts * Large triangular ears * Thick furred pads *
Sand Cat Information
SCIENTIFIC NAME Felis margarita
NAME ORIGIN The Sand Cat was discovered in 1858 and was named after the French expedition leader General Margueritte. The other common name is the 'sand dune cat'.
IDENTIFICATION The diminutive Sand Cat is stocky with short legs and a long tail. The light brown coat has greyish fur on the back and paler fur below, with a few stripes on the limbs and tail. More about Sand Cat Description...
BEHAVIOUR The solitary Sand Cat feeds mainly on small desert rodents, hares, birds, reptiles and insects. They rarely drink water and obtain sufficient moisture from their prey. The cats dig burrows or extend other animals' burrows where they live to escape the harsh desert conditions.
SAND CAT - Species Spotlight by Big Cat Rescue
Reproduced with permission from the book Cats of Africa
Sand Cat Distribution
The Sand Cat occurs only in the desert regions of the Sahara, the Arabian Peninsular and southwest Asia.
More about Sand Cat Distribution...
More Sand Cat Information and Fact Sheets
1. ARKive Wildlife Imagery and Fact File - Sand Cat Photos and Videos
2. International Society for Endangered Cats (ISEC) - Sand Cat Fact Sheet
3. IUCN Cat Specialist Group (CatSG) - Detailed Information and Academic Reference List - Sand Cat Information
