The harsh terrain, blazing temperature and dusty biome of the Sahara is still a haven of life. Here dwells a deadly, yet elusive king, quite smaller than you’d expect. This wild introvert is someone you have probably never even heard of. The Sand Cat(Felis margarita), is one of the most unknown species in the world. We know very little about this shy and tiny predator.
The most striking feature of this cat is its adaptability. It stands just about 24-36 centimetre tall, 32-59 centimetre long and weighs just around 1.5-3.4 kilograms. In the scorching deserts where heat is only one half of the equation, the cat can withstand higher temperatures using its padded feet and below-freezing temperatures due to its thick insulating coat, which even cools it down in the scorching sun. The footpads help in erasing the cat’s footprints, making it a complete ghost, leaving no tracks behind. This could be one of the reasons why they are so difficult to find in the wild. The biggest weapon it has are its mega auditory receptors. The huge ears of the dune cat can catch low frequencies, which travel the farthest in the desert. Efficient hearing capabilities enable it to track its prey from half a kilometre. They travel about 5-6 kilometres each night to find almost about anything to eat, from crickets to mice. The cat does not drink water, as it absorbs the moisture from its prey itself.
The low population density of this elusive emperor of the sands of Morocco, Algeria, Niger, Chad and Egypt, makes it “least concerned” in the IUCN Red List, and yet, it is a rare find. To mate, they must travel dozens of kilometres to find their match. They give birth to 2-3 kittens, which mature in about a year.
Despite the Sand Cat being a “least concerned“ species, the concerns cannot be ignored. The degradation of arid ecosystems due to the expansion of human settlements even in the deserts is becoming a major hindrance for this small species. They might be the Kings, but they are small cats that are vulnerable to attack. They might become seriously endangered soon if we do not curb their habitat loss and poaching. The only reason they are not critically endangered is because of their low population density. Because this cat is such an introvert, we may never know a lot about it.
Nice.