The only cat in the world that lives in the desert

As we all know, the desert is the hottest place in the world. The highest temperature on the surface of the sand can reach more than 50 degrees. It can directly bake an egg and is known as the "dead zone" on the earth. It is arid and rainless, and the vegetation is very sparse. It is an insurmountable gulf for many lives. Even humans cannot survive in this place for a long time.

However, nature is magical. Not all animals cannot live in the desert. For example, the camel as we know it is called "the oasis in the desert" because the hump of the body can store water and fat and is good at finding it. Water source, so he became a survival expert in the desert. In addition to camels, there are some small animals relying on their own abilities, and they can also stand in the desert.

In the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, there is a rare cat species living in a cute but fierce appearance. They are the only cats living in the desert in the world. They are named after dunes because they have been active on the dunes for a long time Cat. Sand dune cats are mainly distributed in the southern Arabian Peninsula, the arid North African Sahara, southern Pakistan and other desert areas. Their body length is about 45-57 cm, their tail length is 28-35 cm, and their weight is between 2.5-3.5 kg. The average size is smaller than that of domestic cats. Dune cats can become the only cats that live in the desert because of their unique physical conditions and living habits.

Survival in the desert-unique physical conditions

01 has dense fur on the body, even the soles of the feet

Everyone knows that the temperature difference between day and night is very large in the desert, the temperature can reach 50 degrees Celsius during the day, and it will drop below 0 degrees Celsius at night. For most mammals, this is difficult to overcome. However, sand dune cats have dense hairs that protect them from high temperature burns during the day and the severe cold at night. In addition to the hair on the body, the dune cat is even more amazing in that it also has hair on the soles of the feet. This hair extends from the middle of the toes to the soles of the feet, which can help it walk on the hot sand without being burned. Second, there is another benefit. It means that you will not leave footprints when walking, you can hide your whereabouts and play a role in avoiding natural enemies.

02Strong nose and double ear structure

The dune cat’s skull is very wide and its eyes are quite big (it looks like there is a circle of black eyeliner), and a dark stripe flies into the corners of the eyes on each of the cheeks. It looks like it has just cried. It is very cute. Their nasal bones are longer and their nostrils are smaller, which not only makes them sensitive to smell, but also helps to lock the body's moisture. Of course, the cutest part of its head is also a pair of big ears. Compared with other small cats, the dune cat's big ears are particularly attractive. According to the usual saying, the larger the ears, the better the natural ability to listen to, and this is the case with the dune cat. With its keen sense of hearing, dune cats can even detect the subtle sounds of insects crawling in the dark, and then capture their prey.

Of course, the weather in the desert is very hot, a pair of big ears can also help them keep cool, and can hear a little bit of sound from a long distance. Sometimes you encounter sneak attacks from natural enemies, and you can react quickly to help them hide in advance. In addition to the big outer ears, the dune cat also has a small inner ear with long hair next to it. When encountering a sandstorm, the inner ear can effectively prevent small sand from entering the ear.

Nightcrawlers in the desert rely on sneak attack tactics to hunt, mainly to get water from food

Like other cats, dune cats are nocturnal animals. Because the desert is too hot during the day, they will choose to hide under a tree or sleep in a hole. Because the color on their bodies is very similar to sand, and the protective color integrates them with the natural environment, it is difficult to see them during the day. The desert is a place with extreme water shortage, and water is extremely luxurious for the animals here. In order for dune cats to better thrive in the desert, their bodies have evolved to get most of the water they need from daily food, and their urinary system can also urinate as little as possible, so dunes Cats can be without drinking water for a long time.

In the evening, the dune cat that has just woke up will growl in its belly. At this time they will stretch out and prepare to go hunting. Food is very scarce in the desert, so dune cats are never picky eaters, as long as they eat meat. Although sand dune cats and other big cats are much smaller than their bodies and always look cute, don’t be fooled by their appearance. They are very fierce when hunting, gerbils and sand fields in the desert. Rats, lizards, insects, and even poisonous snakes (desert vipers) are their prey targets.

Although sand dune cats and other big cats are much smaller than their bodies and always look cute, don’t be fooled by their appearance. They are very fierce when hunting, gerbils and sand fields in the desert. Rats, lizards, insects, and even poisonous snakes (desert vipers) are their prey targets. Compared to ordinary roads, walking on the desert will be very slow, let alone running fast. The sand dune cat has long hairs on the soles of its feet, which can increase the friction between the soles of the feet and the sand to a certain extent, allowing it to run faster in the sand.

The natural enemies of dune cats are birds of prey and wild dogs, but the main threat comes from humans. Because dune cats are very cute and have an irresistible appearance, this makes them a darling in the cat market. Wherever there is trade, there will be killing. Since the beginning of the 20th century, in North Africa and Arabia, this cute and docile little animal has been captured on a large scale and brought back to the city to be kept as pets. Some people will also suffer from getting their fur. Killer.

Although dune cats live in the desert, their habitat has not been severely attacked. Some countries such as Algeria, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Mauritania, Niger, Pakistan and Tunisia have enacted strict legal protection, but in Egypt, Mali, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and other countries, hunting is allowed They, so the dune cats in Pakistan became extinct in 1940.

In fact, for most wild animals, such as lions and tigers, they may live longer in the zoo, but dune cats are an exception. Due to the ancestors of sand dune cats living in desert areas for generations and their temperament is very isolated, the limited space for activities and the unsimulated desert environment under captive conditions will make them feel more stressed and unsuitable, and more importantly, they are easily infected by viruses. , So it is difficult to breed and even die easily in captivity.