If you are lucky enough to spot a sand cat in the deserts of Saudi Arabia, it is natural to be captivated, as it appears to be a frail and defenseless creature. However, do not be deceived by its cute appearance, as it possesses adaptive abilities to thrive in its environment. According to the National Center for Wildlife Development in the Kingdom, this animal, which inhabits sandy areas, has a "high capacity" for adaptation to water and food shortages. Moreover, it is believed to be the only type of cat capable of enduring hot desert environments, as stated by the official account of the Saudi Green Initiative. The sand cat is also a skilled nocturnal hunter that enjoys solitude and stealth, leaving almost no trace of its footprints, making it rarely seen in nature.
Saudi photographer Mohammed Al-Shawai, from the Al-Qassim region, managed to document this solitary creature in the Kingdom nearly seven years ago. Al-Shawai said in an interview with CNN Arabic, "The sand cat is a shy animal that rarely shows itself to people; it is very cautious... Its appearance before me was pure coincidence." The cat remained in front of the photographer for only two minutes before returning to its dark burrow.
Al-Shawai noted that the beauty of the cat is one of its intriguing aspects, characterized by its grayish-yellow coloration and broad stripes on its limbs. He emphasized, "I hope to raise awareness about the importance of these creatures in our environment and to conserve them so that the desert ecosystem remains healthy." The sand cat, being a nocturnal animal, feeds on rodents and reptiles, with humans being its primary threat, followed by eagles, owls, hyenas, and other birds. Al-Shawai reiterated, "I hope to raise awareness about the importance of these creatures in our environment and to conserve them so that the desert ecosystem remains healthy." He is passionate about documenting natural landmarks and wildlife, having begun his photography journey about 25 years ago with old cameras that required film developing.
