HANDS OFF DUNES CAT ?!

Sand cat or sand cat, or a cat DUNES (lat. Felis margarita) - species of the cat family.

DUNES cat entered in Annex II to the Convention CITES (subspecies Felis m. Scheffeli). However, the overall size of its population is unknown due to the nature and its environment secretive lifestyle. It is estimated at approximately 50 000 adults (1996). Barchan cats are not hunted, but their catch for sale. They also suffer from habitat destruction.

DUNES cat differs smallest size in wild cats: its body length of 65-90 cm, and 40% is the tail, the height at the withers - 24-30 cm, weight of adult males - 2,1-3,4 kg, females are smaller. The head is large and broad, flattened, with whiskers. The ears are very large and wide, with no brushes. Iris of the eye is yellow, slit-like pupil. DUNES cat paws are short, strong. Foot covers hard coat that protects the foot pads of burns from hot sand.

DUNES cats have fur thick and soft, protecting the body from the cold night temperatures. Protective coat varies from sandy to light gray. On the back and tail are darker, gray-brown stripes, but which often merge with the general tone of fur. Drawing on the head and legs are darker and more pronounced. The tip of the tail blackish or black. Chest and chin lighter in tone. In Central Asia in winter DUNES cat appears thicker winter coat dull sandy color with a gray patina.

The area looks like a cat DUNES band starting in the Sahara (Algeria, Morocco, Chad, Niger) and in the Arabian Peninsula to Central Asia (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan) and Pakistan.

Known following subspecies differing coloring:

Felis margarita margarita - in the Sahara,
Felis margarita harrisoni - in the Arabian Peninsula,
Felis margarita thinobia - in the region of the Caspian Sea (Iran, Turkmenistan)
Felis margarita scheffeli - a small population in Pakistan.