Sand Cat (Felis margarita) Classification

Sand cats, Felis margarita, range from northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula to Central Asia. Their apparently discontinuous distribution is recognized as comprising four subspecies. Recent genetic research found little differentiation between subspecies except for the North African form.

In this study, 90 skins and 88 skulls were analyzed from the four subspecies. A discriminant function analysis of the scores, ranging from 1 to 4, of four pelage characteristics revealed differentiation between putative subspecies, except between Turkmenian and Pakistani sand cats. Northern African and Arabian sand cats tend to be spotted and striped, while Turkmenian and Pakistani sand cats are less spotted and have a dorsal crest of fur.

Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) models generated from 21 skull measurements revealed an overlap in morphospace between all subspecies, except for larger Turkmenian sand cats; northern African sand cats were smallest. Therefore, both pelage characteristics and skull morphometrics support up to three subspecies.

However, considering recent genetic research, it is likely that two subspecies should be recognized, F. m. margarita from northern Africa and F. m. thinobia from the Arabian Peninsula, and Southwest and Central Asia. Widening of the dataset and nuclear DNA evidence are required to increase our understanding of geographical variation in this little studied species.

Kitchener, Andrew & Abramov, Alexei & Veron, Geraldine & Banfield, Lisa & Senn, Helen & Yamaguchi, Nobuyuki & Puzachenko, Andrey. (2024). Geographical Variation in the Sand Cat, Felis margarita (Carnivora: Felidae). Diversity. 16. 635. 10.3390/d16100635.

Data on African sand cats Felis margarita margarita was collected in the southern provinces of Morocco between December 2015 and December 2019. Within these four years, a total of 47 sand cats were observed, 41 were captured and 22 were fitted with VHF radio-collars and tracked over various time spans.

Home-range size estimations were calculated for 10 adult sand cats with more than 30 independent fixes. Home-range mean sizes averaged 274.6 ñ 394.8 km2 (95% Minimum Convex Polygon ñ SD) and 291.9 ñ 417 km2 (95% Kernel Density Estimation ñ SD) for females (N = 3; 149 locations) to 319.3 ñ 451.8 km2 (95% MCP) and 304.5 ñ 375.7 km2 (95% KDE) for males (N = 7; 311 locations).

Given the number of sand cats observed in the study area and the external good conditions of all 41 captured cats, who showed no wounds, very few scars and no tooth breakage, we hypothesise that the sand cats are tolerant of each other and likely non-territorial. Our understanding of their ecology remains however limited and their social organization and mating pattern almost unknown.

Important future research should focus on diet, overlying social organization and relatedness of sand cats, in relation with environmental conditions and anthropogenic factors.

Sliwa, A.; Azizi, S.; Eddine, M.Z.; Alifal, E.; Breton, G.
Home ranges of African sand cats (Felis margarita margarita)
2023 Journal of Arid Environments (210): 104909

During a telemetry study, body weights and body measurements of African sand cats Felis margarita margarita were recorded in the southern provinces of Morocco between December 2015 and December 2019.

In total, 41 individuals (30 males and 11 females) were captured, weighed, and the body measurements of the specimens selected for radio-collaring were recorded, with a few individuals measured in different seasons.

Captured males showed higher values in all parameters measured in winter. Males weighed significantly more than females, respectively 2.16 ñ 0.36 kg (N=29) and 1.70 kg ñ 0.21 (N=11), and, except for ear length, which did not significantly differ between sexes, we found significant differences between males and females for every other body measurement recorded: Males have significantly longer head-and-body length, tail, neck circumference, elbow-toe-tip length, shoulder length, canines, longer and wider front paws, and longer hindfoot length than females.

Differences in body weight and measurements between adult and subadult males and females are also discussed. From three recaptured individuals, we found that winter weight was on average 14% heavier than summer weight.

Breton, G.; Azizi, S.; Zine Eddine, M.; Alifal, E.; Sliwa, A.
Body weights and measurements of African sand cats (Felis margarita margarita)
2022 Mammal Research (67): 279-285

Sand cat is known as a rare species mainly due to the destruction of its habitat. Because of its nocturnal and secretive behavior, dense hair in the soles, and the overall characteristics of its habitat, there is little data about this species, especially in Iran.

In this study, like the general method for nocturnal mammalian species, spotlight surveying was used to estimate density and abundance of this species. During the study, 660 km strip transects in Samsoor and 615 km in the habitats located in Chahe-Hashem were traversed randomly. Data analysis was performed using Distance 6.2 which resulted that the density and abundance of sand cat in Samsoor area is 0.163 and 45 (CI: 29-72) respectively. Considering the recorded number of individuals and the length of the traversed transects, it can be inferred that the encounter rate with the species is equal with 0.04 individuals per km.

To investigate the effect of the moon status, we planned study design and covered all lunar nights. The results revealed that the highest rate of encounter rate with the species occurred at the initial and final phases of the lunar nights while encounter rate with the species was at the lowest level in two middle weeks of the lunar months (0.052 and 0.02 individuals per km respectively).

The increased agricultural activities, grazing livestock including camels and goats, and accompanying dogs are some of the main threatening factors. As a solution, we suggest establishing environmental force guard stations in the region and also employing some local people as wildlife protection guards.

Ghafaripour, S.; Naderi, M.; Rezaei, H.R.
Investigating abundance, density and potential threats of Sand cat in the South-Eastern parts of Iran
2017  Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity (1): 47-55

We provide confirmed sightings of the elusive Arabian sand cat (Felis margarita harrisoni) using trail camera traps in Baynouna Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

A total of 46 photographs were obtained using five camera traps, during 278 trap nights, between March and December 2015. A total of three individuals were recorded of which one was confirmed as a male. About 80 % of the sightings were between 00:00 and 06:00 h, and 39 % were recorded during the full moon phase.

These are the first confirmed sightings of the presence of Arabian sand cat in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi Emirate after an unconfirmed sighting reported in 2005.

Ahmed, S.; Al Zaabi, R.; Soorae, P.; Shah, J.N.; Al Hammadi, E.; Pusey, R.; Al Dhaheri, S.
Rediscovering the Arabian sand cat (Felis margarita harrisoni) after a gap of 10 years using camera traps in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
2016  European Journal of Wildlife Research (62): 627-631

We report on the North African subspecies of the sand cat Felis margarita margarita and other desert carnivores in the Moroccan Sahara.

The study was initiated in December 2015 under the approval of the Haut Commissariat aux Eaux et Forêts et à la Lutte Contre la Désertification, and during 12 days of fieldwork, six carnivore species were observed: two felids (including the sand cat), three canids and one mustelid. The four sand cats seen, two males and two females, were captured, anaesthetized and fitted with GPS or VHF collars. We collected new morphological data, then followed two of them regularly, one less frequently, for several days and nights including observation of hunting sequences.

High quality photographs of the sand cats were taken and preliminary results on home-ranges and behaviour are presented here.

Breton, G.; Sliwa, A.; Azizi, S.; Essalhi, A.
Sand cats in the Moroccan Sahara - preliminary results of a new study
2016  Cat News (63): 7-10