Sand Cat Habitat Needs

Goodman and Helmy 1986 Primary Diet.

Sand cat habitat needs. Sand cats prefer a very dry arid habitat with little vegetation for which they are well adapted. 2003 and this factor continues to. Conditions are extreme in the desert and temperatures can reach 124º F during the day and 31º F at night.

Its foot pads are covered with thick hair. However some diurnal activity in Arabia was recorded especially in winter when conditions were cooler. There are 4 subspecies of sand cat that can be found in northern parts of Africa and south-eastern parts of Asia.

The main factor to the increased extinction is habitat destruction due to industrialization Townsend et al. The smallest cat species in Arabia the sand cat Felis margarita is well adapted to its arid desert habitat obtaining all the water it needs from its food. They are considered opportunistic feeders that take what they can find in their barren habitat.

When temps become too extreme the sand cat will retreat to cooler burrows. Prey provide the sand cat with the fluids they need to live in places where there is little water. The Sand Cat primarily occupies sandy deserts but has also been recorded in stony and rocky deserts.

The sand cat rests in burrows during the day to seek protection from high or low air temperatures and to minimize the loss of moisture. It prefers areas of sparse vegetation mixed with sandy and rocky areas which supports rodent and small bird prey. The smallest cat species in Arabia the sand cat Felis margarita is well adapted to its arid desert habitat obtaining all the water it needs from its food.

Number of sand cats decreased drastically in the past couple of decades due to habitat loss poaching. Its 57 cm short ears are set low on the sides of the head aiding detection of prey moving underground. Sand cat is the only species of cat that inhabits deserts exclusively.