Felis margarita

Overview

Animal Diversity Web describes sand cats as small felids with large ears, enlarged auditory structures and pale yellow-to-grey coats. Darker bands mark the tail and limbs. The chin and chest are white, and reddish markings surround the eyes.

Dense footpad hair aids movement over hot sand and obscures footprints. ADW places the species in arid sandy and rocky deserts across separated African and Asian regions; this is an older account, not a current occurrence inventory.

Between December 2015 and December 2019, a study observed 47 sand cats and fitted 22 with VHF collars. Ten adults (seven males, three females) gave enough locations for home-range estimation. Ranges were substantially larger than earlier reports, with exploratory movements and overlapping use. Small samples, uneven tracking and high variance limit generalisation.

Origins & earliest records

Not established by the sources consulted.

Evidence & interpretation

Institutional account and an indexed abstract of a radio-tracking study.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Home ranges of African sand cats (Felis margarita margarita)

   · 2023

   Selected bibliography; Journal of Arid Environments 210:104909.

Family, evolution & connections

Taxonomic classification

A hierarchy of classified groups, not a chain of direct ancestors.

Source note: The 2023 study identifies its subjects as Felis margarita margarita.

1. familyFelidae
2. speciesFelis margarita

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Institutional accountSand cat: ADW accountResearch access: 2026-10-07
2. Scientific article abstractAfrican sand-cat home ranges (2023)Research access: 2026-10-07

Image credits

A sandy-coloured sand cat standing on pale soil beside scrub.

The photographer identifies this animal as a Persian sand cat, Felis margarita thinobia.