Kingdom Animalia Order Carnivora Genus Felis Higher classification Sand cat | Phylum Chordata Family Felidae Scientific name Felis margarita scheffeli Rank Subspecies | |
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Similar Sand cat, Felis, Felidae, Mammal, Carnivores | ||
Felis margarita scheffeli is a subspecies of the sand cat that was described on the basis of seven deceased captive specimen originating from the Nushki desert in Pakistan. In Pakistan, it is called Pakistan sand cat.
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Characteristics
Museum specimen of this subspecies are darker and greyer in skin colour than African sand cat, but are more strongly marked. Kittens have more than 8 tail rings.
The subspecific status of sand cat recorded in Iran has not been assessed.
Distribution
The first individual was detected in 1966 near the Lora River. In the late 1960s, sand cats were also encountered farther west, in the Chagai Hills, an extremely arid area comprising rolling sand dunes and stony plains at about 1,200 m (3,900 ft) elevation. This is the only area in Pakistan, where sand cats were found. A survey has not been carried out in this area ever since.
In the national 'Red List of Pakistan’s Mammals', the sand cat has been listed as Critically Endangered since 2003.