The feline family is very extensive and diverse. From the most imposing felines in size such as the tiger and the lion, to the smallest ones such as the domestic cat. And although they vary in size and characteristics, all of them are extremely beautiful with their penetrating eyes and movements full of grace. But among all of them, there is one that is very difficult to observe because it is very elusive and although it has a very small size and an appearance that evokes tenderness, this extraordinary feline is the most lethal of all, the one from the desert.
The desert cat (Felis margarita) is a tiny hunter that dominates the driest regions of Africa and Asia. Observing him is synonymous with falling for his charms of tenderness and peculiarity. With a very fluffy looking coat and large chubby cheeks, the desert cat is very similar to a domestic cat in appearance, except that it is very different in behavior. It is a graceful hunter, shy and unsociable towards strangers, and completely nocturnal, it is very difficult to observe in its natural habitat.
a great escapist
Much of its behavior is still a mystery to researchers, due to the difficulty of keeping up with such an agile and elusive feline. However, it is known that it is the smallest feline that exists on the planet, along with the black-footed cat. Although this does not prevent him from being successful in his hunts, since he uses his small size to his advantage. In fact, it is the most lethal of all felines, including the largest ones, as it is successful in 60% of the cases where it attacks. And taking into account that it feeds on very fast animals such as reptiles, rodents, birds and insects, that is saying a lot.
But an even more amazing fact is that the desert cat does not need to drink, it is enough with the hydration it obtains through its food. For this reason it is difficult to see them, since during the day they only live sheltered from the sun in caves or small burrows. And at night they go out to hunt with their great agility of movement.
It is to be expected that their entire anatomy is designed for survival in one of the harshest of all. It has special fur on its ears that prevents sand from seeping into its ears and, in addition, its paws are protected against the burning heat of the desert sands. All its characteristics make it one of the most mysterious felines on the entire planet and also its fluffy appearance that evokes tenderness.
Unfortunately, there is not much information regarding the health of desert cat populations. For this reason, it is not known what status it is in, although it is thought that its specimens have decreased in number due to the loss of their habitat. For this reason, in regions such as the United Arab Emirates, it is considered in danger of extinction and efforts are being carried out to guarantee its survival.