Felis Margarita Margarita
By Courtney Fortner
About felis margarita margarita-------------------------------------------------
The felis margarita margarita is a subspecies of sand cat. ‘Felis margarita margarita is listed under ‘near extinction,’ meaning they are currently not extinct but without monitoring can become extinct. The sand cat is not a good climber or jumper but they are good diggers’ (Shanna Wheeler, 2004). Being nocturnal, the felis margarita margarita is avoiding direct sun to reduce the wear caused by the extreme temperatures that are found in deserts. Living in desert like habitats forces the inhabitants to improvise in finding relief from the relentless sun, which causes the felis margarita margarita to dig burrows under the sand to escape the devastating temperatures above. Staying in these burrows ensure the felis margarita margarita can safely sleep until night and not worry about overheating. Many burrows are found throughout the desert and shared among the population of felis margarita margarita but never with more than one cat at a time barring mother and kittens.’ In the wild male and female territories often overlap. Sarah Williams Bennett, Jill D. Mellen observed two felis margarita margarita, one male and one female, in captivity and noted that ‘males tend to spray (mark their territory) more than females do.’ While being a predator, the felis margarita margarita can also become prey. Jackals, snakes, and owls are some that prey on this cat. Humans can also be considered predators with poisoning, trapping, and illegal pet trade. Although this cat is harder to study, with their home range being so vast, they are considered the least endangered of the cat species (Shannon Wheeler, 2004).
Physical Description--------------------------------------------------------------
‘The felis margarita margarita is the size of a house cat making it the smallest wild cat of all’ (Shannon Wheeler, 2004). The eyes of a felis margarita margarita are a yellow to light orange color with markings of a light brown leading from the corner of the eye. The fur ranges from a tawny brown to light silver with a white underside. The ears, highly sensitive, are large and triangular, making the felis margarita margarita able to hear prey both above and below the sand. The tail has black rings circling the circumference. The number of tail rings and the color of the fur can distinguish between the different subspecies of sand cat. ‘The felis margarita margarita is said to have a larger number of tail rings and having a lighter fur color. After a careful review of skull measurements done by Hemmer, the felis margarita margarita was determined to be the smallest of the different subspecies’ (Karen Suasman).
Diet----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The dietary needs of a felis margarita margarita are mainly carnivorous. ‘Felis margarita margarita are known to eat venomous snakes. Living in desert areas and with the scarcity of prey has taught the felis margarita margarita to take advantage of what is available. For example they are known to eat spiders and reptiles as well as rabbits and birds. They are considered opportunistic feeders’ (Shannon Wheeler, 2004). With the little water available the prey are able to provide the felis margarita margarita with enough sustenance for it to survive.
Location/Habitat-------------------------------------------------------------------
The sand cat is known to be found in three locations namely the Sahara Desert, throughout the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of Central Asia (Shanna Wheeler, 2004). The subspecies felis margarita margarita is found in Northern Africa. They survive best in dry, hot climates like deserts.
Reproduction---------------------------------------------------------------------
Depending on the region, the time of year the female goes into heat is varied. ‘The sand cat is a solitary species and it is believed that the hearing is an important part of the mating process. A noise similar to a bark is used as a mating call. Sand cats can have between 1-8 kittens while 4-5 is normal for a litter. The cats in captivity have more than one litter per year but it is not as common in the wild’ (Shanna Wheeler, 2004).
Works Cited------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wheeler, S. "Felis Margarita." Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan and National Science Foundation. 2004. 11 October 11 2012 http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Felis_margarita/
"Social Interactions and Solitary Behaviors in a Pair of Captive Sand Cats (Felis Margarita)." - Bennett. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2012. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/zoo.1430020104/abstract
"International Zoo YearbookVolume 35, Issue 1, Article First Published Online: 18 DEC 2007." Sand Cat Felis Margarita: A True Desert Species. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2012. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1748-1090.1997.tb01193.x/pdf
"Sand Cat (Felis Margarita)." Sand Cat Videos, Photos and Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. http://www.arkive.org/sand-cat/felis-margarita/