Sand Cats (Felis Margarita)

      The itsy bitsy kitty caught a little lizard... the sand cat, or Felis Margarita, is actually the world's smallest big cat. If you go on Google, it might disagree, but the sand cat is actually a big cat. They don't call the BCR  BIG Cat Rescue for nothing. Canyon the sand cat is a resident there, and the volunteers and employees are frequently asked if he's a kitten, or even a house cat. I am sure Canyon thinks this whenever that question pops up: "How dare you ask if I am a kitten, or a house cat?! Can't you see that I am big, and strong and gorgeous, and do not resemble at all a kitten or a house cat?" Sorry Canyon!! Sand cats only live in true deserts,like the Sahara and the Arabian, eating snakes and lizards and birds. 

            The BCR says this is one of the most difficult cats to study, because their foot-pads allow them to walk on sand without sinking, leaving almost no foot prints behind.When a light is shone on them, they crouch down and close their eyes, preventing the reflection back, not allowing them to be tracked, and they bury their food, making it impossible to see their diet. The sandy colored coat makes them blend in purrfectly to their environment, which was the goal of course. The sand cats' large triangular ears help it locate prey, both above the sand, and below. sand cats are threatened, like most big cats are, by human population and hunters. They love sunning themselves on rocks, making them easy prey. The easy attitude got them into the pet trade in 1960 as well.

             It's not ok to hunt big cats. Help find out more at all the big cat sights you can find, (I do not recommend Wikipedia).    



Olivia