Sand cats are small wild cats. They have light tan and grey fur to help them camouflage within their desert environment.

The sand cat has large ears to help them hear prey moving under the ground. They also have pads on the soles of the feet, along with long hair to protect against the extreme hot and cold temperatures in their habitat.

Most measure anywhere from 15 to 32 inches including their tail. 

Sand cats live in dry, desert-like environments. They are found throughout the African Sahara desert, which includes many countries like Algeria, Morocco, Iran, Pakistan, and others. Although the living conditions are difficult, sand cats thrive and have evolved to survive in arid and dry regions with little vegetation. The temperatures in the extreme conditions they live in can range from 30 degrees to 124°F!

Due to harsh temperatures, sand cats hunt at night. Sand cats prey on many small species like rodents, reptiles, birds, and even venomous snakes! Sand cats have amazing hearing to help them detect prey underground and claws and sharp teeth to hunt.

If the sand cat does not finish eating their prey, they will bury it to eat for later. Because they live in the desert, they go weeks without drinking water. However, they mostly get their moisture from their prey and drink water whenever it is available. 

Depending on where it lives, certain sand cats begin breeding anywhere from January to September. Once a female sand cat gets pregnant, it takes about 60 to 67 days for her kittens to be born. When they are first born, they weigh about 1.5 to 2.8 ounces. Most female sand cats have 2 to 3 kittens at a time, but can have up to 8! Sand cat kittens become independent from 6 to 8 months of age and become sexually mature by 14 months.

Due to their desolate habitat, sand cats are opportunistic hunters, meaning that when they have a chance to get food, they will use it. Once they find prey underground, the sand cat digs as fast as it can and catches its prey. Sand cats live in burrows, mostly to protect themselves from predators and the extreme temperatures in their environment.

Sand cats are also called the sand dune cat.