#felis margarita margarita

[tigerleopardlion]

African Sand Cat | Carlos N. G. Bocos

[katelynnwrites]

the pictogang aesthetic

[thedaemonarchivist]

The SAND CAT (Felis margarita) is a small wild cat that inhabits sandy and stony deserts far from water sources, the only felid to appear exclusively in desert habitats. Largely solitary, sand cats are hardy and emotionally tough, likely reserved or private, but not particularly assertive and likely to be docile. The sand cat's short ears set low on the head aid in the detection of prey moving underground: these animals are highly perceptive and aware. Long hair covers the soles of a sand cat's paws and insulates the foot pads while moving over hot sand; this feature makes the cat's tracks obscure and difficult to identify: sand cats are tough and enduring, focused and persistent, highly specialised, and likely secretive. With sandy to light grey fur well matched to desert habitats, the sand cat's camouflage protects it from predators: these animals are guarded and passive, likely manipulative and avoidant, gentle, retiring, and somewhat apathetic. Sand cats are habitual, resting in underground dens during day and hunting at night. These animals are highly cautious and strongly determined, surviving indefinitely on moisture gained from their prey rather than risk vulnerability at watering holes. Methodical and efficient, sand cats are disciplined, dutiful and diligent, and will bury a carcass too large to eat in one sitting rather than waste a possible meal. These animals are loose-bonding and somewhat detached, quietly confident and self-assured, patient and tolerant, but not particularly trusting, and not likely to be loyal or affectionate.

The SAHARAN SAND CAT (Felis margarita margarita) is smaller in size with brighter, more yellow fur with more pronounced markings and 2-6 rings on the tail: these cats are mildly more expressive, dramatic, and passionate.

The TURKESTAN SAND CAT (Felis margarita thinobia) is larger in size with a darker, more greyish coat with less pronounced markings and only 2-3 rings on the tail. These cats are likely more calm, guarded and apathetic, and highly indulgent and relaxed.

[mirtadraws]

Some of my favourites from Inktober 2023. I decided to draw 1 cat species per day, in a couple of different styles. You can find all of them under the Inktober tag!

[nothofagus-archive]

"Obscure animal requests, pt 1" (2023)

The first requests batch!

Jerboa (I super regret making a domestic one instead of a desert one, so might draw a desert one at some point), I'iwi , Sand cat and M;antis shrimp. I hope you all enjoy them! Second batch is almost finished, but I'll wait 'till next week or so in order to post it.

The most challenting one was, of course, the mantis shrimp! I'm very aquainted with crustacean anatomy, but admittedly took several liberties there, a few of them in order to make the critter expressive, and others just to simplify. I wanted to make sure the biramous appendages had an emphasis to them, and I like the work on the antennae, but the walking appendages ended up looking way too much like toes I guess. Still, always worth trying and experimnting.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy them!

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Sand cats are typically hard to find, but these adorable kittens — spotted in the Moroccan Sahara — were hard to miss. 🐱

—

The sand cat (Felis margarita) is a small wild cat that inhabits sandy and stony deserts far from water sources.

With its sandy to light grey fur, it is well camouflaged in a desert environment.

Its head-and-body length ranges from 39–52 cm (15–20 in) with a 23–31 cm (9.1–12.2 in) long tail.

Its 5–7 cm (2.0–2.8 in) short ears are set low on the sides of the head, aiding detection of prey moving underground.

The long hair covering the soles of its paws insulates its pads against the extremely hot and cold temperatures in deserts.

💛😺💛

[wynco]

This gives me an excuse to post one of my favorite pictures I’ve ever taken

[x]

[amnhnyc]

Meet the sand cat (Felis margarita). This small, solitary feline inhabits arid regions—including Africa’s Sahara Desert and parts of Asia. Built for desert life, the thick soles of this cat’s paws allow it to walk on scorching sand during the day and cold sand at night. In parts of its range, daytime temperatures can soar up to 124° Fahrenheit (51° C) and then plummet to 31° Fahrenheit (-0.5° C) by night. The sand cat is also a “fearless snake hunter” known to pursue snakes (even venomous vipers) for a meal.

Photo: Cloudtail the Snow Leopard, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, flickr

[great-and-small]

I just finished writing a paper for my evolution class on felid craniodental morphology, and it feels like that paper took as long to write as it did for the Felidae family to evolve. While writing I was reminded of your amazing esoteric biology jokes, so I stopped by to ask: Do you have any extremely niche Felidae memes that you've made? (also, I learned today that the sand cat's scientific name is Felis margarita, and it brings me immense joy for some reason. I am now picturing a sand cat lapping up a margarita with its little tongue.)

Sounds like an interesting paper, congrats on getting it done! I’m thrilled to know someone other than myself appreciates the esoteric biology jokes. I don’t know about extremely niche but I did make this one for a friend in the big cat world.

And now thanks to you I’m going to think about sand cats whenever I have a margarita. I love it! What an excellent fun fact and even better mental image

[little-cat-showdown]

[ID: an image of a sand cat, edited to wear a sun hat, and an image of a margay, edited to wear a party hat. end ID]

[inbarfink]

[tigerleopardlion]

African Sand Cat | Peggy Faucher

[konjkitkatty]

Sand cat - Felis Margarita (yes that’s it’s actual scientific name)

………….four guardians…………

[mutant-distraction]

Baby Sand Cat

The sand cat (Felis margarita), also known as the sand dune cat, is the only cat living chiefly in true deserts.

[mirtadraws]

sand cat for day #7 !

I'm drawing wild cats this inktober. Which cat species should I do next?

[leah2eroes]

meow meow meow assign meeeee~ :D

...so definitely something in the felid family but we knew that already LMAO

ok! upon some deliberation and browsing of your blog, you are a Sand Cat (Felis Margarita)