With their large ears, extensive eyes and furry paws, sand cats might look cute… however they’re fairly powerful! Sand cats are the one members of the cat household to stay completely in desert environments. Get to know these hardy felines within the Q&A beneath.
Can sand cats survive with out water?
The desert environments the place sand cats stay are among the harshest ecosystems on Earth. Daytime temperatures can simply prime 115 levels Fahrenheit (46 levels Celsius) within the warmest months of the 12 months and plummet to -25 levels Fahrenheit (-31 levels Celsius) on chilly winter nights.
Many desert species—together with sand cats—have quite a lot of bodily and behavioral variations that allow them to stay in such extremes. Among these is the flexibility to outlive for months at a time with out ingesting water.
Sand cats get practically all of the hydration they want from their prey; the animals they hunt have moisture contained inside their our bodies, and that’s normally sufficient to maintain sand cats going. However, your common sand cat most likely wouldn’t go up the chance to sneak a couple of sips of water after a uncommon desert rainfall.
Why are their paws so large?
Big paws come in useful! Sand cats keep away from excessive temperatures by creating burrows and tunnels into the sand, and flat, shovel-like paws assist them dig extra effectively. Unlike their home cousins, the footpads of sand cats have a layer of fur that permits them to walk on scorching sand with out burning their paws. Finally, their extensive ft displace their weight so effectively that they barely depart footprints within the sand, making it troublesome for bigger predators to trace them throughout the desert.
How do they survive within the desert?
Sand cats are constructed to deal with extremes. Traveling as much as 5 miles (8 kilometers) per day within the wild, sand cats benefit from their variations. Special coats insulate their our bodies throughout freezing chilly nights and launch warmth throughout blazing scorching days. Their large ears and extensive paws assist dissipate warmth when the temperature will get too scorching. If the climate begins to push the restrict of their endurance, they are going to dig burrows and hang around underground to flee the solar’s rays.
Where are they discovered?
Sand cats are native to distant sandy and rocky desert areas in Africa and Asia. Populations are discovered within the northern Sahara desert, the Arabian peninsula and a few components of western and central Asia, together with the nations of Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
How large are they?
A bit smaller than a home cat. Adult sand cats weigh between 3 to 7.5 kilos (1 to three.5 kilograms). Nearly half of their physique size is from their tails—which generally attain 11 to 14 inches (28 to 35 centimeters) lengthy!
Are they harmful to people?
Not actually. Although sand cats are usually a bit feistier than your common home cat, sand cats are unlikely to assault animals a lot greater than them. And as a result of these felines are present in environments which can be so inhospitable to human life, encounters between individuals and sand cats don’t happen typically.
What do they eat?
As carnivores, sand cats prey on no matter small animals they will discover within the desert, together with small rodents, hares, birds, spiders, bugs and reptiles. They are even recognized to eat venomous snakes inside their vary. They eat about 10 p.c of their physique weight per day; for a median grownup human, that’s the equal of consuming 15-20 kilos (7-9 kilograms) of meals per day!
To smaller animals, sand cats will be fairly fearsome. Sand cats use their large ears to select up sounds from prey animals scurrying within the sand. Tan coloring helps them mix into their environment. They strategy their prey by sneaking and staying hidden, conserving their bellies low to the bottom. When it’s time to assault, sand cats are remarkably fast—in brief bursts, they will run as much as 25 miles (40 kilometers) per hour.
What do they sound like?
Sand cats are usually very quiet, however they’re able to vocalizing. To entice potential mates from faraway distances, they make growling calls that would simply be confused with a barking canine. And like home cats, they will meow, purr, growl and hiss when they should.
Do sand cats make good pets?
Despite their resemblance to deal with cats, sand cats will not be, and have by no means been, domesticated. As true wild cats, they aren’t tailored for residing alongside people. Occasionally individuals do try to preserve them as pets; nevertheless, their respiratory tracts are specialised for terribly dry environments and are susceptible to sicknesses (like sinus infections) outdoors of the deserts the place they naturally stay.
The sand cats on the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are definitely lovable—however difficult to handle! Sand cats urinate to mark their territory, so their exhibit areas have to be cleaned typically. They like to chew up and conceal their meals, and keepers typically discover the heart of mice and traces of meat round their enclosures. And like home cats, they’ve sharp nails… which they regularly sharpen on exhibit furnishings.
Our advice? Caring for these cute felines is a job finest left to professionals.
How many sand cats are there? Are they endangered?
Unknown! Sand cats stay solitary lives and are sometimes separated by dozens of kilometers. Scientists don’t imagine they’re threatened, however these cats are so elusive and stay in such distant environments they’re arduous to review.
Want to catch a glimpse of those elusive desert dwellers? Stop by the Small Mammal House and see a sand cat throughout your subsequent go to to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C.!
