Sand Cats Habitat Description

Velvet cats prefer to live in sand dunes but sometimes these animals are moving closer to the water.

Sand cats habitat description. The Sand Cat is a small wild cats about the size of a domestic cat. Sand cats prefer a very dry arid habitat with little vegetation for which they are well adapted. They are found in desert habitats ranging from plains with little vegetation to rocky valleys with shrubs and trees.

Sand cats were obligate carnivores and nocturnal hunters. Members of this species are psammophillic sand dwelling occurring in very arid dry habitats such as deserts. The sand cat lives in areas far from water sources and is able to satisfy its moisture requirements from its prey.

Sand cats like their food. Faint black stripes on its sides. In the northern areas between the Aral and Caspian seas the sand cat occurs only sparsely in the more claylike desert soils of the Ustyurt and Mangyshlak regions.

This animals sand colored coat is hard to see against dry bushes and sand and acts as protection for it. It is one of few wild cat species that occupies true desert habitat. Its 57 cm short ears are set low on the sides of the head aiding detection of prey moving.

Hairy foot pads help with traction on the loose sand and to insulate it from the extreme hot and cold temperatures of the desert. Sandy desert regions across Africa Central Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. These cats have been reported to have 2 litters per year in parts of their territory in both.

Reddish streak that runs from its eyes across its cheeks. Conditions are extreme in the desert and temperatures can reach 124º F during the day and 31º F at night. Sand cats are mainly carnivorous and eat small mammals reptiles including venomous snakes birds insects and.