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.
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!
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.
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
Sand cat won with the biggest sweep of the tournament, and next goes up against the most spotted Felis species, the black-footed cat. This new competitor is the smallest african cat from the savannahs, where it often lives in termite mounds. In contrast, the sand cat lives in deserts, and during the day burrows under the earth.