Lurking in the deserts is a fierce yet adorable feline known as the sand cat. These cats aren’t ones anyone sees very often. From their size to their incredible hunting skills, sand cats have managed to thrive in some of the hottest regions of the world for years.

Continue reading to learn more about the rare Sand cat!

The sand cat is smaller than most domestic cats

Not all wild cats are the size of mountain lions or bobcats. The sand cat is the smallest wild cat breed, weighing less than most house cats. Female sand cats typically weigh anywhere from 3 to 7 pounds, whereas males can weigh anywhere from 4.5 to 7.5 pounds. Regarding length, sand cats are nearly identical to house cats. They can be anywhere from 18 to 22.5 inches long (excluding its tail.) Either way, this cat is still one small kitty!

These cats only live in 3 specific regions in the entire world.

This cat has ‘sand’ in its name for a reason. The sand cats are psammophile (try saying that word three times in a row!) This means sand-dwelling. So, you’d only find sand cats living in arid desert areas. But sand cats don’t live in just any desert. They are only found in 3 specific regions in the entire world. Sand cats exist in the Sahara Desert, Arabian Peninsula, and in select parts of Central Asia. Sand cats are very rare so, even in these areas, it’s unusual to spot one of these felines. There is one exception to this, though. Sand cats are living in captivity outside these regions. Three sand cat kittens were born this past April at Zoo Boise in Boise, Idaho.

The sand cat is also known as Felis margarita. 

Although these felines are fierce, sand cats have a pretty cute scientific name. The sand cat is known as a felis margarita. We wish we could say that this cat was named after the delicious Mexican cocktail. However, the sand cat never called Mexico or anywhere in the Western Hemisphere home.

Don’t be fooled by their size – these cats are ferocious hunters

Yes, sand cats are pretty small. Yet, these cats are fearless when landing their next meal. Sand cats use their size as their strength. While on the prowl, they stay very low to the ground so that their prey doesn’t see them get ready to pounce. Usually, these cats hunt rodents, birds, hares, and insects.

The sand cat is a pro at camouflaging.

What also makes the sand cat an excellent hunter is its camouflaging capabilities. This cat’s fur is typically pale yellow, with dark stripes on its legs and tail. These colors help them to blend easily into their sandy, desert environment. At night, sand cats are known to fully camouflage by closing their eyes to blend in with the sand and darkness. You might wonder how the sand cat stays still on hot desert sand. These cats have uniquely padded paws that protect their feet from the heat. Isn’t that cool?!

These cats are skilled diggers.

As you can imagine, living in a desert can get a little hot, especially if you’re a cat with fur. Sand cats have adapted to this extreme heat by becoming expert diggers. Sand cats dig shallow burrows to take refuge in during the hottest parts of the day. These cats sometimes share these burrows with others, too. These cats also use digging as a hunting tool. Much of their prey are also burrowers. So, if sand cats are hungry, they may have to do some digging for their next meal.

The sand cat can bark, similar to that of a small dog.

What is super interesting about the sand cat is that it makes some very unusual sounds. We know cats purr, hiss, or meow. Some bigger cats can roar. The sand cat doesn’t do any of that at all. Surprisingly, when the sand cat speaks up, it’s usually a mating call that sounds more like a chihuahua bark than a cat. Many speculate that this mating sound evolved from the long-distance sand cats live from each other, making a louder, bark-like sound more effective during mating season. Do you or anyone you know love sand cats? We’d love to hear more about this rare feline! Feel free to share all your thoughts, knowledge, and cat facts in the comments below.