Indian Desert Cat

News: It was spotted at the Akola buffer zone of the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.

  • It was spotted only four times in the past between 1999 and 2006 in the Thar desert.

About Desert Cat:

  • Scientific name- Felis silvestris.
  • It is also known as the Asian steppe wildcat.

Conservation Status:

  • IUCN– Least Concern.
  • CITES: Appendix-II
  • Indian Wildlife protection Act: Schedule-I.

Habitat: The species is highly adaptable and can be found in forests as well as arid and semi-arid regions.

  • In the past it has been spotted at Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary(MP), Desert National Park(Jaiselmer) Sariska Tiger Reserve(Rajsthan), Tal Chappar Blackbuck Sanctuary(Rajsthan).
  • Besides it is also found in Gujrat, Maharastra.

Physical features:

  • The species has a sandy-brown fur and small, round spots covering the upper part of its body.
  • The cat has a long, slender and tapering tail with a black tip and spots at its base.

Adaptation for desert climate:

  • It can survive without water for longer days.
  • The toes of the species have cushion like hair which help it balance the fluctuating desert temperatures.
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