The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) has announced its success in monitoring the sand cat as part of a project studying sand cats and other mammals in Qatar.
The sand cat is classified as an endangered species in Qatar due to the rapid urban expansion and the hunting of rodents, which are its primary food source. The environmental significance of the sand cat lies in its vital role in maintaining ecological balance through the control of rodent and insect populations.
The MoECC explained that the sand cat is small in size, with a body length ranging between 39- 52 cm, a tail length of 23 - 31 cm, and a weight of 1.5 to 3.5 kg. Besides, the cat's fur is light sandy in colour with faint black stripes or spots. It has large, side-oriented ears that help dissipate heat, alongside dense fur that protects it from heat and sand.
Accordingly, MoECC noted that the sand cat inhabits desert and sandy environments, such as the Arabian deserts, North Africa, and Central Asia. It is a nocturnal animal, spending daylight hours in burrows to shield itself from the sun's heat, and feeds on rodents, small birds, and reptiles.
