The Desert Cat is a breed of wild cat that looks like a cute kitten from afar, but anyone who thinks that this can be a helpless and affectionate cat breed like the felines we are used to is mistaken. Its scientific name is Felis Margarita (also called the Arabian Sand Cat): a breed of cats that hides in the intense daytime heat and extreme nighttime cold of the deserts of the EastThe most striking thing about the Desert Cat is that, unlike other cats, it does not grow, remaining forever small in size. O Paws of the House will tell you all about the Desert Cat and explain how they survive in such hostile environments, how they hunt, what they eat and also how they defend themselves from various local predators!

Felis Margarita cat: the characteristics of a wild one with an air of cuteness

In addition to resisting high and low temperatures, this cat draws attention due to its appearance of an innocent kitten, even in adulthood, when they weigh less than 4 kg and measure between 50 and 80 cm. But make no mistake! Even with this snout that can turn any gecko into a "Felicia", they are considered a species of wild feline and cannot be domesticated. Orso don't try to approach if you find one around.

Seen as a wild animal, this exotic cat is super fierce. Its physical characteristics are perceived in the wide head, long coat of earthy tones and with stripes, which also makes their protection from external agents of the habitat, allowing them to reside in an environment of very cold or heat. The paws of the Felis Margarita cat are also super hairy and this protects them from sand whenThe desert cat has very powerful feline hearing and has large, pointed ears, so it can detect the presence of humans or predators at long distances. This keen sense of hearing allows the cat to hide more quickly and accurately.

Felis margarita cat is more active at night

Just like domestic cats, the Felis margarita breed also has nocturnal habits. Their preference for the night and ability to hide has made them go unnoticed for several decades, making it difficult for researchers to identify them. In other words, the discovery of this breed is recent. Just to give you an idea, the records of these felines are often a difficult task that usuallycan take years and years, such is the difficulty of finding one and taking a picture of the cat.

But instead of playing, like the pets we know, the Desert Cat takes advantage of the darkness and the great vision capacity, which most felines possess, to hunt, feed and also reproduce. The gestation of the Felis margarita cat lasts on average three months after copulation and usually more than five kittens are born in a single litter. The exotic Desert CatThe Arabian Sand Cat is carnivorous and feeds on insects, birds, rodents, hares and even some species of snakes. The Arabian Sand Cat can live long periods without water and refreshes itself with the internal fluids of its victims.

The Desert Cat cannot be domesticated

The Sand Cat can easily coexist with other wild cat species, such as the Felis silvestris. An interesting characteristic is that, unlike domestic kittens, the Desert Cat is not usually very territorial. The Felis Margarita is a cat breed that is easily adaptable, but this does not allow it to be suitable for living in captivity or in a home with humans. That is, the Sand Cat is not very territorial.of the desert cannot be tamed.

Unfortunately, many people illegally take advantage of the Desert Cat's attacking ability, using the breed as a sport hunting animal. In addition to being an environmental crime, it can lead to the extinction of the Felis margarita. The Desert Cat trade should also not be commercialized. So if you are a cat lover, do not condone the practice and let these wild "kitties" live in the wild.their natural habitat.