Peculiarities of education and lifestyle of a dune cat

The sand cat remains a mystery to modern people in many ways, despite the fact that this species was discovered more than a hundred years ago. The sand cat was destined to inhabit the most inaccessible corners of the planet, hardly compatible with life. In the merciless deserts of North Africa and Central Asia, these animals found their home.

Dune cat: description of the species

Developed hunter skills and the ability to competently distribute food and water resources allow representatives of the breed to populate the Arabian Peninsula to this day. The main danger for the Arabian cat is the person himself, who once saw in him an outlandish animal and is desperately trying to tame this animal.

Background

The time of the appearance of the dune cat and its further settlement are shrouded in mystery. Observations of this animal began relatively recently due to the difficult conditions in which sand cats live. What can we say, we owe the very discovery of this breed to chance.

The meeting of the general and two exotic cats marked the beginning of the study of this species

The sand cat, among all other representatives of the cat family, was lucky enough to be discovered twice. It was first discovered by the French general Jean Auguste Marguerite along with his expedition to the Sahara in 58 of the century before last.

The wild cat received its Latin name thanks to this historical meeting.

On the border between Libya and Algeria, a hiking group met two cats of unusual appearance, which could not help but attract the name. So they named this unprecedented beast in honor of the successful general - Felis margarita. The Latin designation itself was introduced by naturalist scientist Victor-Jean-François Loshomme.

There are several subspecies of the sand cat, and those that have already been discovered are far from the limit

Almost 70 years later, the dune cat again received attention, but this time from the Moscow researcher Sergei Ognev, who described it as a species. This time the sand cat was discovered in the Karakum and Kyzyl-Kum deserts. The confusion about the discoverers can be overcome if we take into account that the North African branch of the breed was discovered in the Sahara, and the Central Asian branch was discovered in the Kyzyl-Kum deserts.

Domestication

At home, the sand cat often gets sick and suffers due to an unnatural temperature regime. For it it is necessary to create conditions as close as possible to the natural environment. Otherwise, the animal will wither away very quickly.

Representatives of this breed are not bred in nurseries, so a domesticated animal has difficulty adapting to new conditions. The former wild animal will still live as nature intended: be nocturnal, hunt and try to escape.

Unlike long-tamed breeds of cats, dune cats do not trust humans. It takes a lot of effort to ensure that the animal recognizes its owners and does not try to leave them. Dune cats are not the best choice as pets.

Subspecies

Today there are four subspecies of the sand cat, depending on their habitat:

Table 1. Subspecies of the sand cat

The subspecies differ from each other in coat color, without having any fundamental differences in physique or lifestyle.

The search for new possible habitats of the sand cat continues

Interspecies interactions

The main threats to the sand cat are large birds of prey (golden eagles, eagle owls and owls), snakes and large mammalian predators (caracals, hyenas, wolves, foxes and jackals).

Photo: Joel Sartore

Interspecific competition for prey may also limit sand cat populations. Native predator densities are several times greater than those of wild cats, and many species rely heavily on the same small rodents for food.

Appearance of an Arabian cat

External data will be covered in detail in the tables below, but for now let’s dwell on the remarkable details of the dune cat. First of all, the tiny size of the predator attracts attention. In size, the sand cat is inferior even to many domestic breeds. The length of its body does not exceed a meter, and the tail occupies slightly less than half of the total size, reaching 30-40 cm.

The favorable location of the dune cat's ears prevents sand from becoming clogged in them and allows them to pick up the finest sounds.

Another characteristic feature of sand cats is their thick whiskers. Smoothly turning into large fluffy ears, they make the cat's face round and vaguely similar to the disk of the sun. It may seem that the animal's ears are larger than its head, and the head itself is slightly disproportionate for such a small, graceful body.

The sand cat's big eyes can let him down when he encounters an enemy.

The huge eyes attract attention, especially in those moments when the animal’s pupils are constricted. The sand cat knows this peculiarity of his, and also knows how it can give him away and even cost him his life. The fact is that all the disguise will go down the drain if the dune cat’s eyes glare from the refracted rays. Therefore, when he smells an enemy, he always presses himself to the ground and keeps his eyes closed.

“Mittens” on the paws prevent numerous burns, which are easy to get in the hot desert

The soles of the paws of dune cats are protected by a thick layer of thick and tough fur, which performs several useful functions:

• allows the cat not to leave traces behind;
• protects delicate paw pads from hot sand;
• creates support by fixing the paw in the sand so that the cat does not get stuck in the quicksand.

Table 2 . Sand cat exterior

By the way! Many people believe that the sand cat is the smallest representative of wild cats, but this is not so. The real record holders for miniature size are the black-footed wild cats that live in southern Africa. The maximum length of their body is half a meter, and the average weight is one and a half kilograms.

The very modest size is explained by the ability to fit in small holes, which the cat easily pulls out with strong paws

Table 3. Dimensions of the dune cat

Fur

The fur of a sand cat cannot be called very thick, lush or long. It has those qualities that are most practical in desert conditions: the desert cat is thick enough to prevent hypothermia, because at night the temperature in deserts sometimes drops below zero, and light enough to not overheat in the sultry heat under the scorching sun.

Not a single hunter is interested in the fur of the dune cat, which allows for better preservation of the species

Color

As already mentioned, the color of the dune cat depends on its habitat. There are representatives of the breed with fur of golden, light brown, and even gray shades. The rich palette of colors is explained by one main goal - to merge with the sand surface as unnoticeably as possible.

Light beige color is more common in nature

Camouflage is a necessity without which an animal cannot survive in the desert, in the vastness of which it is hardly possible to hide at any other time. The ability of the sand cat to move quickly and almost silently, without leaving any traces in the sand, makes hunting it extremely difficult.

Natural camouflage allows the sand cat to hide even from the watchful eye of a bird of prey

Add to these skills the complete color fusion of a sand cat with sand, and it becomes completely unsurprising why this animal remains in many ways inaccessible to researchers.

Following the trail of a sand cat is an impossible task

Despite the difference in colors, the color of the Arabian cat follows some general patterns:

• in the area of ​​the chin and chest the fur is several shades lighter;
• the legs and head are decorated with a dark pattern;
• the tip of the tail is always black;
• in winter, the coat becomes duller in color with a gray undertone.

Exterior

Body length is only 70-90 cm. This is together with the tail, which makes up at least 40%. That is, the cat’s body itself is only about 40 cm. The height at the withers barely reaches 24 centimeters, and the weight is 3.5 kilograms. If you consider that there are domestic cats weighing 15-20 kg, then these are absolutely crumbs. The sand cat, or sand cat, is perfectly adapted to survive in natural conditions. Its color allows it to completely blend with the surface of the dunes. Colors range from golden to light brown. There are also light gray individuals, but this is rather an exception.

Habitat of the sand cat

From the very name of the breed it is easy to guess that dune cats are regulars in the driest and most difficult to inhabit places on the planet, mainly European deserts. The strip along which representatives of the breed settled begins in North Africa (Algeria, Southern Morocco, Chad, Niger) and stretches across the entire Arabian Peninsula, reaching the countries of Central Asia: Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and (less often) Kazakhstan. Sand cats were found in both Israel and Jordan, but in these regions they have now almost disappeared.

Places where dune cats previously took root are gradually decreasing

Vocalization

The sand cat usually makes sounds during the mating season so that potential partners can hear it from a great distance. Vocalizations are similar to those of a domestic cat: meowing, growling, hissing, screaming and purring.

Photo: Moonlight13

However, some of their vocalizations are completely different. For example, sharp sounds, usually made in quick succession at a medium to high pitch, are reminiscent of the high-pitched whining of small dogs such as Chihuahuas. The frequency spectrum for intense meows is mainly limited to frequencies below 2 kHz , the range to which their ear is adapted.

Sand cats also communicate by shaking their cheeks and heads against objects, leaving claw marks on logs and branches, and spraying urine.

Habitat

The sand cat lives in conditions in which other breeds could only survive, and even then with great difficulty. Even humans rarely visit the habitats of these animals, due to the difficulty of survival in deserts. Sand cats choose the most waterless areas, remaining alone with dunes and dry bushes.

Dune cats do not like looking for easy ways

It would be a big misconception to think that sand cats are found only in the sand. Sometimes representatives of the breed can be found among the rocks adjacent to deserts, in the gorges of which they make “homes” for themselves. Rocky valleys overgrown with shrubs are also inhabited by these animals. Dune cats also come out to the banks of reservoirs.

Sand cat lifestyle

The scarcity of desert lands for food encourages sand cats to constantly move. In the conditions of sand dunes stretching for hundreds of kilometers, the path is indicated by the prey, which the cat follows.

Permanent nomads, sand cats have learned to flexibly adapt to environmental conditions

From the merciless rays of the sun, the sand cat most often takes refuge in holes, usually fox holes. These animals will not refuse the burrows of porcupines and corsacs. Sand cats also dig holes themselves, but, as a rule, small ones in order to hide from danger. Digging is easy for these animals due to their short legs. These animals leave their shelters mainly at night, since hunting in the light of the sun is hardly a feasible task.

The presence of its own powerful paws does not in the least prevent the dune cat from settling into already prepared holes

By the way! Climbing out of the hole, the sand cat freezes for several minutes. This pause allows him to "scan" the nearby area without becoming visible to enemies. The animal performs the same thorough inspection on the way home after the hunt.

No sand cat will start hunting before he is sure of his safety.

The specificity of metabolic processes in the body of a sand cat brings it closer to a camel. These animals extract the main moisture from food and are also able to go without water for a long time. Cats manage to avoid large fluid losses by being active at night.

The Arabian cat more than makes up for its small size in agility. In one night, this beast can cover an area of ​​ten square kilometers. Covering such large areas is easy for the sand cat thanks to its “signature” movement technique. While running, this animal keeps its body very close to the ground, while its head is lowered low to create the greatest streamlining of the body.

Night runs of several kilometers are commonplace for the Arabian cat

At first glance, this method does not seem successful, however, thanks to it, the nimble beast reaches speeds of up to 40 km/h. This method of movement also allows you to remain unnoticed from the outside, since the rapid movements of the paws merge with the general background of the sand.

A rare predator is able to spot a fast sand cat even in daylight

By the way! People who had contact with Arabian cats noted the animal’s developed intelligence. When the cat encountered lanterns aimed at him, he leaned toward the ground and closed his eyes, guessing in advance that the light reflections reflected in them could give him away.

Arabian cats really do not like to get caught in the rain, which is already rare in deserts, as well as in the territories adjacent to them. These animals prefer to wait out the rains in their shelters. The burrows in which sand cats hide reach one and a half meters in depth.

Dune cats welcome their comrades from neighboring territories.

Despite the fact that the “fiefdoms” of sand cats sometimes overlap, these animals live alone, looking for a mate only during the breeding season.

Hunting

In conditions of shortage of everything, dune cats could not help but learn masterly hunting. Usually these animals do not engage in direct confrontation, since they are sometimes smaller in size than their possible prey. Arabian cats prefer to ambush their prey completely unexpectedly, confusing it.

Unpretentiousness and thriftiness are two key skills that allow the dune cat to survive in the desert

Let us separately dwell on the fights between dune cats and snakes, for which this breed is famous. Arabian cats often emerge victorious in competitions even with such dangerous individuals as the horned viper, thanks to their tactics. Cats deftly stun their opponents with a blow to the head and quickly finish with a fatal bite to the neck.

Researchers were lucky to capture the moment of intense struggle

In winter, sand cats approach settlements, but they are not interested in poultry, which is typical for Amur forest cats. We also talk about the Amur subspecies Thus, some cats can enter the territories of other cats, which is perceived by representatives of the breed completely calmly. After hunting, the stranger returns to his native places.

Diet of the dune cat

The poverty of their native lands led to the extreme unpretentiousness of sand cats in their food. To briefly summarize their diet, these animals will eat anything that moves. The most traditional representatives of the desert fauna become the sand cats' lunch:

• rodents (gerbils, jerboas);
• spiders;
• lizards;
• small birds;
• hares;
• insects;
• snakes.

Desert predators do not disdain insects

Living in conditions of constant lack of food and drink has taught sand cats to competently handle food resources. These animals never leave uneaten prey, hiding it in a secluded place until the next meal. As a rule, food supplies are buried in the sand, and a developed sense of smell easily allows a wild cat to find the cache again.

Enemies

Animals that attempt to kill the Arabian cat include birds of prey, jackals, and monitor lizards. Don’t forget about the main enemy of many wild cats – humans. But it should be noted that poachers are hardly interested in the tedious tracking of dune cats in the hot desert.

The Arabian cat is a valuable commodity in many cat markets.

Arabian cats are most readily caught for sale. Purposeful sellers who want to sell an exotic pet at a higher price to an unreasonable buyer pose a real threat to this small species at the moment.

Arab countries have not yet had time to assess the damage caused to these rare representatives of cats

The main enemy of dune cats is overgrazing and ineffective management of pasture resources in general, which is characteristic of Arab countries, which leads to the destruction of the territories native to Arabian cats.

Where to buy a kitten

Catteries do not breed sand cats. This is explained by the animal’s complex and lengthy adaptation to life in captivity, a pronounced hunting instinct and difficulties in nutrition and organizing the necessary living conditions.

You can only buy a sand cat kitten in zoos and from private individuals, who in most cases are engaged in poaching or resale of these animals. The price for a kitten starts from $6,000.

Sand cats are quite exotic animals with a strong-willed character, not suitable for every cat lover. The main thing is to provide suitable living conditions and shower your pet with love.

Reproduction

Sand cats give birth once a year. Due to the fact that the habitats of sand cats are varied, they do not have a single time allotted for the mating season. It all depends on the specific region and climate. In North Africa, the breeding season lasts from January to April, but in Turkmenistan it starts only in April. In Pakistan, the rut occurs between September and October.

The breeding season does not coincide among furry inhabitants of different deserts

During the mating season, cats actively use their vocal cords (which they avoid on other days) and call females to them with cries. The opposite option is also possible - females also notify males of their readiness.

By the way! In honor of the unusual sounds made by these individuals, they are jokingly called “barking cats”, since these cries are more like the barking of small breeds of dogs.

Arabian cats bear kittens for two months. From 2 to 8 kittens can be born at a time. On average, two to three cubs are born. Males, as a rule, leave females after mating and do not form a single family. Dune cats raise their offspring on their own, fortunately, they grow very quickly.

Growing up a sand cat

Kittens are born blind in a hole already prepared by the mother cat. Their eyes open after two weeks and have a bluish tint, which gradually gives way to yellow. Surprisingly light (kittens weigh up to 30 g at first), sand kittens quickly gain weight within a month, feeding on their mother's milk.

Sand cat surrounded by blind kittens

By the second month of their life, kittens begin to eat solid food and leave their den, exploring the surroundings side by side with their parent, who teaches them to hunt. The kittens spend another three or four months under the supervision of their mother. At the age of six months, they already feel the strength to leave their parents and begin a completely independent life.

Almost from the first months, kittens keep their mother's company during the hunt.

Puberty occurs in different ways for sand cats. Some individuals mature as early as 9 months, some within a year, and others linger for up to 14 months.

By the way! Ordinary people who do not travel through deserts were able to see with their own eyes the cubs of the dune cat quite recently. Three years ago, the Israeli Zoological Center revealed to the world three kittens born to the sand cat Rotem, who had previously been the lone representative of this breed in an Israeli park.

Life in captivity

A sand cat will never become completely domestic, but you can accustom it to the presence of people. In this case, you need to take not an adult cat, but a small kitten. You need to understand that the animal’s hunting instinct will remain, and the need for a nomadic lifestyle will also remain. This behavior of a pet should be changed with extreme caution, because a person can easily lose the pet’s trust.

In captivity, this animal can give birth 2-3 times a year. Some people try to take advantage of this and replenish their capital, because the cost of one animal is 200 thousand rubles. With proper upbringing, the cat gets used to all family members.

Never buy animals from poachers, because by doing so you yourself become accomplices of crimes!

The necessary conditions

In order for the cat to get used to home conditions, you need to feed it by hand and talk to it. These pets should be kept in a stable, warm temperature and dry air. The room for keeping an animal is not very suitable, since in such conditions the animal will begin to experience stress and, as a result, a decrease in immunity.

The sand cat quickly learns human speech and reacts to its owner's intonation. She will quickly learn to use the tray. But you shouldn’t scold her for her faults. To prevent the animal from damaging property, you need to purchase a lot of toys for it. In a suitable climate, you can build an enclosure for a cat, equipping such a “dwelling” as follows:

• pour sand into it;
• make shelters;
• plant shrubs.

It would be a good idea to place a heated house in the enclosure. In captivity, the animal lives for 15 years, but this period can be extended under conditions close to natural.

Population status

You can easily find a variety of statements regarding the number of dune cats. Information varies from tens of thousands to a couple of hundred copies. Such a significant scatter of data occurs because no one, not even scientists, has accurate calculations. Only now, thanks to the development of video equipment, are we gradually beginning to accumulate knowledge about these secretive animals.

It is hardly possible to count all sand cats

Zoological centers relatively recently took the sand cat under their protection and began to monitor its safety. The latest generally accepted figure, expressed by scientists after several years of observing sand cats, is 50 thousand adult individuals. However, these data, obtained more than twenty years ago, are clearly outdated and need to be rechecked.

Humanity realized quite late that the sand cat needed protection

At the moment, this animal is listed in the International Red Book as “close to vulnerable”. Catching representatives of the breed without a permit issued by some reserves is strictly prohibited. Of course, a strict ban does not exclude its periodic violations.

Zoos

Those few zoos that are lucky enough to keep the sand cat take great care of it. The fact that the Israeli sand cat gave birth to offspring made the workers of the zoological center happy, who did everything so that the last remaining Arabian cats could survive in Israel. There was even a report about this joyful event, which is given below.

Video - The long-awaited baby dune cat

As already mentioned, the sand cat is a rarity for all zoos in the world. According to the latest data, only 9 individuals of this species are distributed among different zoological centers. From time to time they can be transported so that dune cats have offspring. For example, Kalahari, the partner of the Israeli cat Rotem, came from Sweden.

Adults do not get along well with each other in captivity

Due to the fact that many representatives of the breed living in zoos come from the same pair, there is a high risk of inbreeding and the birth of non-viable offspring. There is evidence that half of the cubs born in captivity die due to the mother’s refusal to care for them.

Five years ago, two dune cats were transported from the Tallinn Menagerie (Estonia) to the Nikolaev Zoo. Nothing is known about the current condition of the animals.

Let's sum it up

The sand cat is a charming and amazing creature, a real flower of the desert. But the proud and independent animal does not tolerate life well in the modern civilized world, so it is better to leave them in their natural habitat and give them the opportunity to continue their race. Only small kittens adapt well to home conditions; taming an adult will be much more difficult. There are a huge number of stray cats in the city that are drawn to people and are ready to purr on their laps for days on end. And wild animals need to be given the opportunity to live in the wild.

Is it possible to keep a dune cat at home?

The unusual colorful appearance of the Arabian cat and its apparent similarity to domestic breeds make it a desirable acquisition for many cat lovers. It seems that such a compact animal will live comfortably in a country house or even an apartment. But is it?

To date, there is not enough information on how well kittens get along with their owners

From all of the above, it is not difficult to conclude that the dune cat and captivity are two completely incompatible concepts. But, since they usually don’t ask a cat when they adopt it, without thinking about its usual lifestyle, let’s dwell on this point. It should be remembered that conditions that are normal for a domestic cat are a source of stress for a wild cat.

Content details

Think about it: is your home similar in climatic and tactile characteristics to the Sahara? If not, then you will have to take several steps towards this similarity.

1. Low humidity should become a law, since this is the environment in which the sand cat has lived for centuries and to which it has managed to adapt. How the skin and health of cats will react to such a change is an open question.
2. The air temperature should be constant regardless of the time of year. It is advisable to acquire a thermostat to carefully regulate possible changes.
3. Since the dune cat’s immunity is not ready for a radical change in conditions, vaccination is the first place to start caring for your pet. However, even in the case of preventive vaccination, one cannot be sure that the animal will not catch some infection against which its body has never developed an immune response.
4. Accustomed to exploring miles-long wastelands, the cat will be at a loss when he finds himself in a two-room apartment. The need for open spaces for animals is not an empty phrase. It will not be able to just give up its instincts associated with exploring the area and hiding food. Prepare in advance to find pieces of meat in the most unexpected places.
5. Wild cats are much more active than their domesticated counterparts. Therefore, it would be desirable to have an interactive area in the house for your pet, on which he could climb. Otherwise, the pet will use any available furniture for its maneuvers.

Details of handling the sand cat are given below.

Useful tips for taming a dune cat

Buying a dune cat

When purchasing a supposed sand cat, you can never be sure of your purchase. Since there are no official nurseries that have permission to breed sand cats, the buyer always deals with underground organizations or individual sellers.

In this case, you cannot talk to the official breeder and find out the characteristics of the breed.

If you are persistent in purchasing this particular breed, it is recommended to pay attention to the kittens so that you can try to raise them.

By the way! Growing up, sand cats will still remember their roots and show their rebellious nature sooner or later. Therefore, it is not advisable for inexperienced potential owners to begin their acquaintance with cats with such a difficult breed to tame.

Price

The price for a dune cat starts from six thousand dollars and depends on the seller’s sense of proportion. On average, they can ask for two hundred thousand rubles for an exotic animal. It is possible to find cheaper options, but you need to be aware that the animals sold may not always be healthy to begin with. It is even more pointless to talk about whether they have any documents or certificates of vaccinations.

The inflated price of a dune cat is a natural state of affairs on the underground market

Optimal living conditions

It is best if you live in a private house, since in this case the cat will have the opportunity to hunt. For the health of your wild pet, it is necessary to ensure low humidity and stable temperature in the room where the cat lives. You should not buy this animal if you have a small apartment. A free animal needs a fairly large space in which it can move freely.

Living at home can lead to serious stress and, therefore, a decrease in immunity. Absolutely healthy in the wild, at home such cats often begin to suffer from various viral infections. Vaccination is vital for them, do not neglect this rule. The diet must include several types of meat, usually chicken and beef.

Feeding

Among the dishes for the sand cat, since we are talking about a predator, meat dishes should dominate. Live food is preferred, but raw meat is also digestible. Sand cats and offal are readily eaten.

The main thing in feeding a wild cat is to monitor the sufficient amount of vitamins consumed

Taking vitamin supplements daily should become a habit. The owner should pay special attention to ensuring that the animal consumes a sufficient amount of calcium. On average, a sand cat should eat half a kilogram of meat per day.

Lifestyle, character and habits

Under natural conditions, these animals do not gather in packs. An adult sand cat is quite capable of feeding itself alone; in a group only females with growing kittens go out hunting.

From the heat of the day, dune cats hide in holes. They can dig them themselves, or they can use ready-made holes of corsacs (steppe foxes). Sometimes sand cats expand gerbil burrows to live.

They lead a predominantly nocturnal lifestyle. The only exception is Pakistani sand cats; these animals hunt not only in the dark, but also at dusk.

Before the hunt begins, cats sit motionless in their shelter and listen sensitively to their surroundings. Only after 15 minutes the cat will come out of the shelter. At the end of the hunt, dune cats perform the same ritual. This allows them to avoid encounters with predators that could climb into the hole.

Enemies that threaten the life of sand cats are large birds of prey, monitor lizards, jackals and some snakes.

Lifespan of a sand cat

If we consider the most successful cases, sand cats live 12-14 years in captivity. However, it is not worth comparing the conditions of an apartment and the conditions of safari parks. In the second case, the animals are surrounded by competent specialists who have a set of medications at hand for all occasions. Even these trained people lose several newborn kittens, let alone ordinary mortals.

An extended but boring life in captivity or a full life in your native desert?

Surrounded by love and care, but not receiving proper care, these animals can die unexpectedly and early for reasons that the owner had no idea about. Hopes for the competence of a veterinarian may not be justified, since documented knowledge on how to maintain the health of an Arabian cat simply does not exist. This once again confirms the incompatibility of representatives of the breed with life within four walls.

Nutrition

Dune cats are predators that feed only by hunting. Any living creature found in the desert can become prey: jerboas, rodents, lizards, small birds.

The Arabian cat is capable of eating insects, spiders and even poisonous snakes. These animals get water mainly from food, so they can go without liquid for a long time.

Like other felines, the diet of sand cat kittens does not differ from the adult diet. Already a month and a half after birth, they begin to hunt along with their mother, quickly gaining weight and growing to the size of an adult cat in a couple of months.

What does a cat eat?

Dune cats are 100% predators, since the vegetation they encounter is too sparse to feed on. They are carnivores that eat all the game they can get. They mainly get gerbils, jerboas, and lizards. If you are lucky, the prey of the sand cat becomes a tolai hare, not much smaller in size than the “hunter” himself. In addition, sand cats destroy bird nests and do not neglect the birds themselves. If luck turns out, the furry predator will not disdain snakes, insects and even spiders.

The cat watches the victim, hiding in a shelter. Finding the right moment, it rushes, bites its prey in the neck and shakes it violently. The caught animal's vertebrae break and it loses its ability to resist. Then the predator tears the victim’s body into pieces with teeth and claws, which it then eats.

Having caught a large animal or bird, the lucky animal can hide part of the carcass or drag it into its hole. In the latter case, the cat does not leave its shelter the next night, having arranged a “feast” for itself.

Due to the previously described ability of the body to accumulate moisture in the form of a concentrate in the body, a cat for a long time can be content only with water obtained from food. The sand cat does not need to visit watering places frequently.

Description of the breed

Dune cats fascinate with their coquetry and curious expression in their eyes. Thoroughbred representatives have the following appearance:

The head of the breed is large and wide, slightly flattened in front.

The ears are what primarily distinguishes this breed from all others. The ears are very wide, and their position is very low, atypical for cats. This structure of the ears is explained by the fact that dune cats use them as locators when hunting prey. In addition, the ears are slightly bent in front. Considering that the animals' natural habitat is sandy terrain with dunes, slightly bending their ears forward protects them from sand.

The eyes are small and slanted. The eye color is yellowish, although you can find representatives of this breed with emerald green eyes.

The paws are short, but their lack of length is compensated by well-developed and powerful muscles, thanks to which the animal can develop high speed and has good physical endurance.

The coat is short but very thick. The thickness of the coat saves the animal from freezing on cold nights in the desert, and during the day, when it is hot, the coat helps retain the required amount of moisture

Thick hair is present between the pads of the toes, and this is very important, as it protects the cat’s paws from burns on the hot sand. The fur of sand cats is hypoallergenic. Contact with it will not cause a negative reaction even in those people who are prone to allergies to cat hair

Contact with it will not cause a negative reaction even in those people who are prone to allergies to cat hair.

The color is sandy, which plays a camouflage role, making the animal completely invisible among the sand dunes. The back of the Arabian cat is mottled with dark stripes along the spine, which gradually darken and become completely black at the base of the tail. There are thin contrasting lines on the cat's paws and head. The sternum is lighter than the main color.

Based on the appearance and nuances of coat coloring, the dune cat breed is divided into several subspecies:

1. Margarita is a sand color, but brighter and more saturated; there are several black rings on the tail, their number varies from 2 to 6 pieces.
2. Thinobia - representatives of this subspecies are distinguished by the largest body sizes. The color of their coat is very dull; the pattern of stripes characteristic of the main breed is present, but it is weakly expressed, almost merging with the main color. There are black rings on the tail, their number is from 2 to 3 pieces.
3. Scheffeli - dull coat color is compensated by pronounced stripes and several black rings on the tail.
4. Harrisoni - a distinctive feature of cats of this subspecies is the presence of a dark spot on the fur behind the ear. The number of rings on the tail changes with age; an adult animal has 7 of them.

The body length of an adult reaches about 90 cm; at the withers, the height of a dune cat is up to 30 cm. The weight of a mature male is about 3.5 kg.

Enemies

Jackals are desert dwellers and pose a huge threat to Arabian sand cats. Animals are afraid of wolves and large carnivorous birds. The main enemy of the dune cat, which is responsible for the mass extermination of the breed and the reduction in the number of individuals, is man.

The unusual, beautiful appearance of the animal and its exoticism are the reason for mass hunting of this breed of cats. Poachers hunt for sand cats only for the purpose of their further sale to zoos, private menageries and for domestic keeping. The animal's fur is of no interest to poachers.

It is unknown how many predators are left in the wild at the moment, which is explained by their secretive lifestyle. At the moment, the dune cat breed is protected by a world organization.