Felis margarita harrisoni

The Turkestan sand cat, officially known as Felis margarita thinobia, is a captivating small feline native to the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asia. It is also commonly referred to as the Arabian sand cat and the Pakistan sand cat. This subspecies was first described by the Russian zoologist Sergey Ognev in 1926 and was later recognized by the British zoologist Reginald Innes Pocock in 1938.

Over the years, the classification of the Turkestan sand cat has undergone revisions. In 2017, the Cat Classification Task Force decided to include subspecies such as F. m. scheffeli and F. m. harrisoni under F. m. thinobia. One of the distinguishing features of this subspecies is its unique fur coloration and markings, which differentiate it from other sand cats.

These cats inhabit a wide range of regions, including the Arabian Peninsula, Near East, Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asia. However, conservation efforts, especially for the Pakistan sand cat population, have been minimal. The last significant survey in Pakistan dates back to the 1960s. While sand cats were once captured for the pet trade, current efforts focus on managing them in European zoos, where the population stems from just 18 founders.

The Turkestan sand cat is a unique and intriguing creature with remarkable adaptations to desert life. However, it faces significant conservation challenges. More research and monitoring are essential to ensure these charming cats continue to thrive in their natural habitats.