Sand Catスナネコ
Felis margaritaLC— Least Concern
The sand cat is a small wild cat superbly adapted to the deserts of North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Central Asia, with thick fur pads that insulate its paws from scorching sand and enlarged ears that give it exceptional hearing for locating prey underground. It can survive without drinking free water, getting most of its moisture from rodents and other prey. Once thought highly vulnerable, it was downlisted to Least Concern by the IUCN in 2016, though it remains threatened by habitat loss and feral dogs and cats in parts of its range.
Sand Cat (reference photo)
Species Data
Did You Know?
- Long hair covering the soles of its paws insulates them against scorching desert sand and helps obscure its tracks, an adaptation unique among small wild cats. Source
- Its auditory bullae are greatly enlarged compared to other small wild cats, giving it hearing sensitivity roughly 8 decibels greater than that of the domestic cat. Source
- Sand cats obtain most of their moisture from prey, allowing them to survive without ever drinking free-standing water, though they will drink when it is available. Source
Where to See This Species
4 facilities · 0 individuals
埼玉県こども動物自然公園 (Saitamakenkodomodoubutsu Shizen Kouen)SaitamaOpened in 1980
「ecoハウチュー」で展示。2022年4月13日に那須どうぶつ王国・神戸どうぶつ王国から各1頭が来園。 Source
那須どうぶつ王国 (Nasudoubutsuoukoku)Tochigi東北新幹線「那須塩原駅」から車で約50分（無料シャトルバスあり・要Web予約前日17時まで）。
「保全の森」で展示。2020年3月に日本で初めて公開。2026年1月29日に「サディーカ」がネオパークオキナワから帰園。 Source
神戸どうぶつ王国 (Koubedoubutsuoukoku)Hyogoポートライナー「計算科学センター駅（神戸どうぶつ王国・「富岳」前）」下車すぐ。
「コンタクトアニマルズ」（北エリア）で展示。2020年3月から那須どうぶつ王国と共に日本初展示。 Source
Nagasaki Bio ParkNagasakiOpened in 1980
長崎バイオパークのWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source
Conservation Story
Conservation Status
IUCNは低危険種(Least Concern)に分類しており、2016年に準絶滅危惧から引き下げられた。ワシントン条約附属書IIに掲載されている。
Habitat
サハラ砂漠からアラビア半島、中央アジアにかけての砂漠地帯に生息し、日中は地中の巣穴で休む。
Threats
- 家畜の放牧による生息地の劣化と獲物の減少
- 保護区を囲うフェンス設置による生息地の分断
- 野生化したイヌ・ネコによる捕食や感染症の伝播
- 罠による混獲やペット目的の捕獲
Conservation & Breeding Efforts
- ワシントン条約(CITES)附属書IIによる国際取引規制
- 動物園・飼育下繁殖プログラムによる個体群維持
Sources
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FAQ
- Can sand cats survive without drinking water?
- Yes. Sand cats get most of the moisture they need from the rodents, birds, and reptiles they eat, allowing them to survive in deserts without free-standing water, though they will drink when water is available. Source
- Why do sand cats have furry paws?
- Long hair on the soles of their paws insulates them from the extreme heat of desert sand and helps cushion their footsteps, an adaptation not seen in most other small wild cats. Source
- Is the sand cat endangered?
- It is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, having been downlisted from Near Threatened in 2016, though it faces local threats from habitat degradation, feral dogs, and disease from domestic cats, and has already disappeared from parts of its historical range such as Yemen and Israel. Source
Source: www.parks.or.jp nasu-oukoku.com www.kobe-oukoku.com www.iucnredlist.org