Felis margarita margarita
| Felis margarita margarita | |
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| Subspecies: | F. m. margarita
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| Trinomial name | |
| Felis margarita margarita Loche, 1858
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Felis margarita margarita is a subspecies of the sand cat native to the Sahara.[1]
Characteristics
The Saharan sand cat is the smallest of all the four subspecies. It has a bright fur colour, pronounced markings and 2–6 rings on the tail.[2][3]
Distribution and habitat
The Sahara sand cat is patchily distributed in desert areas of Morocco, Algeria, Niger and Egypt.[4]
Ecology and behaviour
Sand cats prey on small rodents, birds and reptiles. They drink water if available, but satisfy most of their moisture need from prey, which they can dig out of the sand quickly.[5] They have also been observed to hunt and consume horned and sand vipers.[6]
Reproduction
In the Sahara, sand cats mate in the cold season between November and February. Young are born between January and April.[6]
A noise similar to a bark of a dog is thought to be a mating call. Captive sand cats normally have three kittens in a litter and have more than one litter per year.[7]
Threats
Sand cats are threatened by expanding human settlements, and are killed in traps set up by herders. Domestic dogs and cats are direct competitors for prey, and may also transmit diseases.[5]
References
- ^ Schauenberg, P. (1974). Données nouvelles sur le Chat des sables Felis margarita Loche, 1858. [New data on the sandcat Felis margarita Loche, 1858.] Revue Suisse De Zoologie 81(4): 949–969
- ^ Hemmer, H. (1974). Studien zur Systematik und Biologie der Sandkatze (Felis margarita Loche, 1858). Zeitschrift des Kölner Zoo 17: 1–20.
- ^ Sliwa, A. (2009). Sand Cat Felis margarita. In: D. E. Wilson, R. A. Mittermeier (eds.) Handbook of the Mammals of the World, Volume 1: Order Carnivora. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
- ^ Template:IUCN
- ^ a b Sliwa, A. (2013). Felis margarita Sand Cat. In: J. Kingdon, D. Happold (eds.) Mammals of Africa, Volume V: Carnivores, Pangolins, Equids and Rhinoceroses. Bloomsbury Publishing, London. Pp. 199–202.
- ^ a b Dragesco-Joffé, A. (1993). Le Chat des sables, une redoutable chasseur de serpents. In: La Vie sauvage au Sahara. Delachaux & Niestlé, Lausanne, Paris.
- ^ Wheeler, S. (2004). "Felis margarita." Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan and National Science Foundation.
Further reading
- Sausman, K. 1997. Sand cat: a true desert species. International Zoo Yearbook 35(1): 78–81.
- "Social Interactions and Solitary Behaviors in a Pair of Captive Sand Cats (Felis Margarita)." - Bennett. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2012.
External links
- "Sand Cat (Felis Margarita)." Sand Cat Videos, Photos and Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.