The sand cat is an elusive species of desert cat that basically looks like an adorable kitten, even when fully grown.
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Look at that face! But don’t let the cuteness fool you. Sand cats are fierce predators and can withstand temperatures of up to 126 F (52 C).
The sand cat is the only cat in the world that primarily lives in a true desert environment.
Sand cats are found in Arabia, Pakistan, North Africa, and Central Asia.
There’s an evolutionary reason for the sand cat’s perpetual kitten-like looks.
Their over-sized ears, which contribute considerably to their youthful appearance, help to hear prey in the desert. Sound doesn’t travel well in a sandy environment, and sand cats hunt both above and below ground, so they need all the help they can get.
Sand cats have thick fur on their feet to protect them from the sizzling-hot desert sand.
Water can be scarce in the harsh desert environment where the sand cats dwell, so they’ve evolved to get most of their moisture requirements from the prey they eat.
Sand cats are solitary animals that live in caves. They only come together to mate and raise their super adorable kittens.
Sand cats are classified as ‘near threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This means that due to the hunting and capturing of sand cats for the pet trade, the species is is in danger of extinction.
Although cute, sand cats are not suitable pets. They prefer to live alone, eat poorly in captivity, and are susceptible to respiratory infections.
Luckily, rescue and conservation organizations such as Big Cat Rescue, have stepped in to help captive sand cats.
See a video on sand cats from Big Cat Rescue below:
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For more information on Big Cat Rescue’s sand cats, and to find out how you can help, visit their website and Facebook pages.