Kingdom Animalia Genus Felis Phylum Chordata Rank Subspecies | Family Felidae Scientific name Felis margarita margarita Higher classification Sand cat Order Carnivores | |
Similar Felis margarita, Sand cat, Felis, Felidae, Mammal | ||
Felis margarita margarita is a subspecies of the sand cat native to the Sahara.
Contents
Characteristics
The Saharan sand cat is the smallest of all the four subspecies. It has a bright fur colour, pronounced markings and 2–6 rings on the tail.
Distribution and habitat
The Sahara sand cat is patchily distributed in desert areas of Morocco, Algeria, Niger and Egypt.
Ecology and behaviour
Sand cats prey on small rodents, birds and reptiles. They drink water if available, but satisfy most of their moisture need from prey, which they can dig out of the sand quickly. They have also been observed to hunt and consume horned and sand vipers.
Reproduction
In the Sahara, sand cats mate in the cold season between November and February. Young are born between January and April.
A noise similar to a bark of a dog is thought to be a mating call. Captive sand cats normally have three kittens in a litter and have more than one litter per year.
Threats
Sand cats are threatened by expanding human settlements, and are killed in traps set up by herders. Domestic dogs and cats are direct competitors for prey, and may also transmit diseases.